1867Law
Canada gains Dominion status
British North America Act came into effect creating Dominion of Canada.
Monday 12 October 2026
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What happened, who was born, who we lost — plus today's horoscope for every sign.
Discover thousands of historical events that happened on this day, your birthday, or any other day of the year. 1,000s of searchable events.
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Birth of Clark Gable (1901) and Ronda Rousey born (1987), 86 years apart.
1 / 6 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Enraged Cow Injures Farmer With AxHall of Fame◆
- 1975Where Cattlemen Gather, the Talk is of Hard TimesThe New York Times◆
- 2018Ben Folds review – timeless tunes and paper planes at Sydney Opera HouseThe Guardian◆
- 2015Scott Morrison: I would never challenge Tony Abbott for Liberal leadershipThe Guardian◆
- 1884The first fascicle of the Oxford English Dictionary, a 352-page volume that covered words from A to ant, was published.Wikipedia◆
- 1411The First Peace of Thorn was signed, ending the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War.Wikipedia◆
- 1329The Teutonic Knights successfully besieged the hillfort of Medvėgalis (pictured) in Samogitia, Lithuania, and baptised the defenders in the Catholic rite.Wikipedia◆
- 1893Thomas A. Edison finishes construction of the first motion picture studio, the Black Maria in West Orange, New Jersey.Wikipedia◆
- 1884The first volume (A to Ant) of the Oxford English Dictionary is published.Wikipedia◆
- 1411The First Peace of Thorn is signed in Thorn (Toruń), Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights (Prussia).Wikipedia◆
- 2012Following an Egyptian Premier League match in Port Said, Al Masry fans rioted and violently attacked Al Ahly supporters, resulting in 74 deaths.Wikipedia◆
- 2009Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (pictured) became the first female prime minister of Iceland.Wikipedia◆
- 1960Civil rights movement: Four African-American students staged the first of more than five months of sit-ins at an F. W. Woolworth lunch counter (pictured) in Greensboro, North Carolina, to protest the company's policy of racial segregation.Wikipedia◆
- 1957Invented by German engineer Felix Wankel, the first working prototype of the Wankel rotary engine ran for the first time at the research and development department of NSU Motorenwerke AG.Wikipedia◆
- Enraged Cow Injures Farmer With AxHall of Fame◆
- 1975Where Cattlemen Gather, the Talk is of Hard TimesThe New York Times◆
- 2018Ben Folds review – timeless tunes and paper planes at Sydney Opera HouseThe Guardian◆
- 2015Scott Morrison: I would never challenge Tony Abbott for Liberal leadershipThe Guardian◆
- 1884The first fascicle of the Oxford English Dictionary, a 352-page volume that covered words from A to ant, was published.Wikipedia◆
- 1411The First Peace of Thorn was signed, ending the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War.Wikipedia◆
- 1329The Teutonic Knights successfully besieged the hillfort of Medvėgalis (pictured) in Samogitia, Lithuania, and baptised the defenders in the Catholic rite.Wikipedia◆
- 1893Thomas A. Edison finishes construction of the first motion picture studio, the Black Maria in West Orange, New Jersey.Wikipedia◆
- 1884The first volume (A to Ant) of the Oxford English Dictionary is published.Wikipedia◆
- 1411The First Peace of Thorn is signed in Thorn (Toruń), Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights (Prussia).Wikipedia◆
- 2012Following an Egyptian Premier League match in Port Said, Al Masry fans rioted and violently attacked Al Ahly supporters, resulting in 74 deaths.Wikipedia◆
- 2009Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (pictured) became the first female prime minister of Iceland.Wikipedia◆
- 1960Civil rights movement: Four African-American students staged the first of more than five months of sit-ins at an F. W. Woolworth lunch counter (pictured) in Greensboro, North Carolina, to protest the company's policy of racial segregation.Wikipedia◆
- 1957Invented by German engineer Felix Wankel, the first working prototype of the Wankel rotary engine ran for the first time at the research and development department of NSU Motorenwerke AG.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Ronda Rousey1987- Brandon Lee1965
- Clark Gable1901
- Birth event - February 11901
1 February in history
9 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
1893Invention
First patent for motion picture camera
Thomas Edison patented motion picture camera system.
1901Tragedy
Tragedy event - February 1
Historic tragedy event recorded on this date in 1901, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1937Achievement
First use of 999 emergency number
London introduced 999 as world's first emergency telephone number after house fire in Wimpole Street.
1943Battle
Battle of Stalingrad ends
German 6th Army surrendered at Stalingrad, turning point of WWII on Eastern Front.
1959Medical
First successful kidney transplant announced
First successful kidney transplant between identical twins performed in Boston reported.
1960Songs
Release of The Twist
Chubby Checker's The Twist released, sparking worldwide dance craze.
1971TV
Sesame Street debuts in UK
Children's educational series Sesame Street first broadcast in UK.
1986Global
NASA Challenger disaster investigation
Rogers Commission began investigation into Challenger shuttle explosion.
Showing 1-9 of 9 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — February 1
1884 First everThe first fascicle of the Oxford English Dictionary, a 352-page volume that covered words from A to ant, was published.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1411 First everThe First Peace of Thorn was signed, ending the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1329 Oddly trueThe Teutonic Knights successfully besieged the hillfort of Medvėgalis (pictured) in Samogitia, Lithuania, and baptised the defenders in the Catholic rite.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1893 First everThomas A. Edison finishes construction of the first motion picture studio, the Black Maria in West Orange, New Jersey.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1884 First everThe first volume (A to Ant) of the Oxford English Dictionary is published.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2018The GuardianBen Folds review – timeless tunes and paper planes at Sydney Opera HouseThe endearing showman could become an Elton John for the slacker generation
Read on The Guardian →
2015The GuardianScott Morrison: I would never challenge Tony Abbott for Liberal leadershipSocial services minister defends prime minister amid speculation of a spill and urges Coalition members to stay focused
Read on The Guardian →- 1975The New York TimesWhere Cattlemen Gather, the Talk is of Hard Times
article on plight of US livestock indus in wake of Amer Natl Cattlemen's Assn's annual conv, Las Vegas, notes that de…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineEnraged Cow Injures Farmer With Ax
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “The first fascicle of the Oxford English Dictionary, a 352-page volume that covered words from A to ant, was published.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
The first fascicle of the Oxford English Dictionary, a 352-page volume that covered words from A to ant, was published.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1411 First ever
The First Peace of Thorn was signed, ending the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1329 Oddly true
The Teutonic Knights successfully besieged the hillfort of Medvėgalis (pictured) in Samogitia, Lithuania, and baptised the defenders in the Catholic rite.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 1 February — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
4
1901Birth
Birth of Clark Gable
American actor Clark Gable was born in Ohio, star of Gone with the Wind and known as The King of Hollywood.
1901Birth
Birth event - February 1
Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1901, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1965Birth
Brandon Lee born
Brandon Lee was born. American actor.
1987Birth
Ronda Rousey born
Ronda Rousey was born. American fighter.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Suicide
2008Death
Heath Ledger dies
Heath Ledger, actor, died on this day in 2008. Accidental prescription drug overdose. Remembered as: Acclaimed performances, including the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Assassinated
1948Death
Mahatma Gandhi dies
Mahatma Gandhi, political ethicist, died on this day in 1948. Assassinated. Remembered as: Leader of the Indian independence movement.
Assassinated
1980Death
John Lennon dies
John Lennon, musician, died on this day in 1980. Assassinated in New York City. Remembered as: Co-lead vocalist and founder of The Beatles.
Executed
1793Death
Death of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris during French Revolution.
Assassinated
1968Death
Martin Luther King Jr. dies
Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader, died on this day in 1968. Assassinated in Memphis. Remembered as: Prominent leader in the American civil rights movement.
Famous birthdays
29 this weekToday · 1 February
- Ronda RouseyAmerican mixed martial artist (born 1987)Born 1987 · 39 years ago today
- Brandon LeeAmerican actor and martial artist (1965–1993)Born 1965 · 61 years ago today
- BEBirth event - February 1Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1901, noted inBorn 1901 · 125 years ago today
- Clark GableAmerican actor (1901–1960)Born 1901 · 125 years ago today
Coming up this week
Gemma ArtertonEnglish actress (born 1986)2 February · born 1986
ShakiraColombian singer-songwriter (born 1977)2 February · born 1977
James JoyceIrish novelist and poet (1882–1941)2 February · born 1882
Isla FisherAustralian actress (born 1976)3 February · born 1976
Warwick DavisEnglish actor (born 1970)3 February · born 1970- BEBirth event - February 3Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1903, noted in3 February · born 1903
Day of Recognition1 February
World Hijab Day
Recognizes the millions of Muslim women worldwide who choose to wear the hijab.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 1 February.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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