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What happened in history on this day: February 21?
Since 1995, I have been collecting information on a variety of topics,
creating several timelines of history.
Here you will find specific events from those databases
for this day, on the topics of personal computers, video games, the Walt Disney Company,
Chevrolet Corvettes, A&W Root Beer, Sweden, and Canadian coins.
On February 21 in ...
- 1984 - Timex withdraws from the home computer business.
- 1984 - IBM files a lawsuit against Eagle Computer for copyright violation of the BIOS used in the IBM PC. Eagle agrees on the same day to cease shipments of the infringing computers.
- 1984 - Marshal Smith takes office as new president and CEO of Commodore International.
- 1995 - The US Supreme Court refuses to hear Apple Computer's "look-and-feel" copyright suit against Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard.
- 2001 - At the Macworld Expo in Tokyo, Japan, Apple Computer introduces the iMac Special Edition, available in Flower Power, Dalmatian Blue, or Graphite designs. It features 500 or 600 MHz PowerPC G3 processor, 64 or 128 MB RAM, 256 kB Level 2 cache, 8x/4x/24x CD-RW drive, 15-inch monitor. Price is US$1199-1499.
- 2001 - At the Macworld Expo in Tokyo, Japan, Apple Computer introduces the new Nvidia GeForce3TM graphics processor for Macintosh computers.
- 2002 - Cuba issues a 65 centavos postage stamp depicting a personal computer.
- 2005 - Intel releases the 64-bit Pentium 4 630, 640, 650, and 660 processors. Speeds are 3 GHz, 3.2 GHz, 3.4 GHz, and 3.6 GHz, respectively. They feature 2 MB level 2 cache, 169 million transistors, 135 mm2 die size, 90-nanometre fabrication, Enhanced SpeedStep technology, Execute Disable Bit, EM64T 64-bit extension instructions, 800 MHz front-side bus. Prices are: US$224, US$273, US$401, and US$605, respectively, each in 1000-unit quantities.
- 2005 - Intel releases the 64-bit 3.73 GHz Pentium 4 Extreme Edition processor. It features 2 MB level 2 cache, 169 million transistors, 135 mm2 die size, 90-nanometre fabrication, Enhanced SpeedStep technology, Execute Disable Bit, EM64T 64-bit extension instructions, 1.066 GHz front-side bus. Price is US$999 in 1000-unit quantities.
- 2010 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A laptop computer is used to give a presentation, but is interrupted by the need to "install an important update".
- 1927 - Film Booking Offices releases the Alice Comedy film Alice's Rodeo to theaters. (also known as Alice at the Rodeo)
- 1927 - Disney ships the 52nd Alice Comedy film, Alice in the Klondike, to Winkler Pictures.
- 1947 - The Pluto film Pluto's House Warming is released. Butch also appears.
- 1965 - The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled An Otter in the Family.
- 1978 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Pete's Dragon for an Oscar Award in the category Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score.
- 1978 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the song "Candle on the Water" from the film Pete's Dragon for an Oscar Award in the category Music, Original Song.
- 1978 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the song "Somebody's Waiting for You" from the film The Rescuers for an Oscar Award in the category Music, Original Song.
- 1984 - Turks and Caicos Islands issues ten postage stamps with various Disney characters participating in Olympic sports.
- 1997 - Club Disney premieres in Thousand Oaks, California. Club Disney is an indoor family entertainment center.
- 1997 - Disney launches its redesigned Disney.com Internet Web site, with new sections promoting Disney's products and services in theater, cable television, publishing, records, home video, and online.
- 1999 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. The family visits the "Wild Animal Kingdom", a reference to Disney's Animal Kingdom park.
- 2010 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A child says "Dreams are where Elmo and Toy Story are" and he holds up a drawing of Buzz Lightyear.
- 1921 - France and Poland make a secret military agreement, specifying that if Germany attacks either nation, the other will assist in defence. If Poland is attacked by Soviet Russia, France is to hold Germany in check on land and at sea.
- 1941 - German pocket battleship Admiral von Scheer sinks Canadian merchant ship Canadian Cruiser in the western Indian Ocean. The captain and crew are taken prisoner.
- 1943 - Near Tunisia, British 26th Armored Brigade Group pulls back to Thala.
- 1944 - American forces begin landing on Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands.
- 1944 - Over the day, the US 8th Air Force launches 861 bombers on various attacks.
- 1944 - Over the day, the US 8th Air Force launches 600 bombers on various attacks.
- 1945 - Allied forces break through the Siegfried Line in Europe.
- 1945 - The US 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team liberates Corregidor, Philippines.
- 1945 - (evening) 137 British bombers attack the Mittelland Canal in Germany, breaching it.
- 1946 - A special people's court in Helsinki, Finland, finds former President Rysto Ryti guilty of leading Finland into war against Russia at the side of Germany. He is sentenced to ten years of hard labor in prison. Seven other former Government officials are also convicted, with sentences of 2 to 5 1/2 years.
- 1995 - Brazil issues a postage stamp marking the 50th anniversary of the capture of Monte Castello, Italy.
- 2010 - Gibraltar issues seven postage stamps marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
- 1983 - US TV show That's Incredible! broadcasts the Videogame Invitational competition at the Twin Galaxies Arcade in Ottumwa, Iowa. Event winner is Ben Gold.
- 1986 - In Japan, Nintendo releases the Disk System for the Famicom. The system is a 128-kB disk drive to run software; disks can be rewritten with new games at special vending machines. Price of the Disk System is about US$100.
- 1986 - Nintendo releases the Legend of Zelda video game for the Famicom Disk System in Japan.
- 2006 - Sega releases the Sonic Riders video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US.
- 2014 - Nintendo releases the Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze video game for the Wii U in the USA.
- 1808 - Russian troops attack Finland.
- 2001 - Legislation passes in the parliament allowing Swedish citizens to hold dual citizenship, as of July 1.
- 1982 - A 1944 5c piece struck in tombac (VF-20) sells for US$7,000 at the American Numismatic Association auction in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
- 2007 - In Lethbridge, Alberta, the Royal Canadian Mint officially releases the first of seventeen circulating 2010 Olympic coins. The 2007 25-cent piece depicts curling. The design was created by Glen Green.
- 1782 - US congress resolves the establishment of a US mint.
- 1853 - US Mint Act amendment:
- authorizes minting of $3 gold coins (77.4 grains, 0.900 fine);
- reduces silver content of 5-cent through 50-cent coins;
- reduces weight of half disme from 1.34 to 1.24 grams;
- the maximum legal tender value of US silver coins is set at $5.
- 1857 - US Mint Act provides for a small cent composed of 12 percent nickel and 88 percent copper, weighing 72 grains; ends the striking of half cents; and removes legal tender status of foreign coins in the United States except Spanish pillar dollar and Mexican dollar.
- 2008 - Monaco Rare Coins of California sells one of two known US 1861 gold $20 coins with Paquet reverse, graded MS-61 by PCGS, for $2.5 million in a private transaction.
- 2013 - The US Mint launches the 2013 White Mountain National Forest quarter-dollar coin in Plymouth, New Hampshire, and releases the coin to circulation.
- 1931 - Chicago White Sox and New York Giants play first exhibition night game.
- 1942 - US female Figure Skating championship won by Jane Vaughn.
- 1942 - US male Figure Skating championship won by Bobby Specht.
- 1951 - South Carolina House urges "Shoeless Joe" Jackson be reinstated.
- 1952 - Dick Button performs first figure skating triple jump in competition.
- 1953 - Longest collegiate basketball game (six overtimes); Niagara beats Siena 88-81.
- 1957 - Fort Worth Dodgers and Los Angeles Cubs "trade" minor league franchises.
- 1960 - Fay Crocker wins LPGA Lake Worth Golf Open.
- 1968 - American Major League Baseball announces a minimum annual salary of $10,000.
- 1969 - Ted Williams signs five-year contract to manage Washington Senators.
- 1971 - Ruth Jessen wins LPGA Sears Women's World Golf Classic.
- 1973 - Chicago Black Hawks play record 262nd NHL game without being shut-out.
- 1974 - Tom Seaver becomes the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history when he signs a contract for US$172,000 per season with the New York Mets.
- 1980 - Hanni Wenzel is first Liechtensteiner to win Olympics gold (giant slalom).
- 1980 - Eric Heiden skates Olympics record 1500 metre in 1:55.44.
- 1982 - Beth Daniel wins LPGA Bent Tree Ladies Golf Classic.
- 1983 - Donald Davis runs one mile backwards in 6 minutes 7.1 seconds.
- 1983 - NBA San Diego Clippers begin a 29-game road losing streak.
- 1985 - Evert van Benthem wins 13th Friese 11 city skating race.
- 1985 - Largest NBA crowd to date: 44,970 (Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons).
- 1985 - Tim Raines is awarded a US$12 million salary for 1985 by arbitrator.
- 1986 - Tennis star Jimmy Connors fined US$20,000 and suspended for ten weeks.
- 1986 - In defiance of the Cincinnati Reds' policy, Rollie Fingers refuses to cut off his handlebar mustache, and retires from baseball.
- 1987 - Cindy Rarick wins LPGA Tsumura Hawaiian Ladies Golf Open.
- 1988 - Gustafson skates world record 10 km (13:48.20).
- 1989 - Pete Rose meets with Commissioner Ueberroth to discuss his gambling.
- 1992 - Kristi Yamaguchi of US wins Olympics gold medal in women's figure skating.
- 1993 - 43rd NBA All-Star Game: West beats East 135-132 (overtime) at Salt Lake City.
- 1993 - Sergei Bubka pole vaults world record indoor (6.15 metres).
- 1995 - Canadian Football League's Sacramento Gold Miners become San Antonio Texans.
- 2022 - At Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, NHL regular season game: Vancouver Canucks beats Seattle Kraken by score 5-2.
- 2022 - At Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, NHL regular season game: Montreal Canadiens beats Toronto Maple Leafs by score 5-2.
- 2022 - At Scotiabank Saddledrome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, NHL regular season game: Calgary Flames beats Winnipeg Jets by score 3-1.
- 2022 - At Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, NHL regular season game: Carolina Hurricanes beats Philadelphia Flyers by score 4-3.
- 2022 - At TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, NHL regular season game: Boston Bruins beats Colorado Avalanche by score 5-1.
- 1961 - Mercury-Atlas 2 reentry test reaches 172 km.
- 1979 - Japan launches Hakucho x-ray satellite and Corsa-B (550/580 km).
- 1981 - NASA launches Comstar D-4.
- 1981 - Japan launches Hinotori satellite to study solar flares (580/640 k).
- 1996 - Soyuz TM-23 launched into orbit.
- 1997 - STS 82 (Discovery 22) lands.
- 2019 - SpaceIL launches the Beresheet probe, the world's first privately financed mission to the Moon.
- 1971 - Series of tornadoes cuts through Mississippi and Louisiana killing 117.
- 1777 - English ambassador Joseph Yorke demands dismissal of Governor John de Graaff for saluting US flag.
- 1782 - US congress authorizes the establishment of a US mint.
- 1792 - US Congress passes Presidential Succession Act.
- 1828 - First American Indian newspaper in US, Cherokee Phoenix (weekly), in Georgia.
- 1842 - First known sewing machine is patented in US, to John Greenough of Washington DC.
- 1848 - John Quincy Adams suffers a stroke and collapses on the floor of the House of Representatives.
- 1853 - US Mint Act amendment authorizes $3 gold coin, sets maximum legal tender value of US silver coins at $5.
- 1857 - US Mint Act provides for a cent composed of 12 percent nickel and 88 percent copper, weighing 72 grains, measuring 0.75 inch diameter; also ends the striking of half cents, and removes legal tender status of foreign coins in the United States except Spanish pillar dollar and Mexican dollar.
- 1858 - Edwin T Holmes installs first electric burglar alarm (Boston, Massachusetts, USA).
- 1861 - Allan Pinkerton informs US president-elect Abraham Lincoln of plan he discovered for his assassination in Baltimore in two days' time.
- 1861 - Navaho Indians elect Herrero Grande as chief.
- 1862 - Texas Rangers win Confederate victory at Battle of Val Verde, New Mexico, USA.
- 1864 - Jeffery Forrest, Confederate Brigadier-General, dies in battle.
- 1864 - Battle at Okolona, Mississippi.
- 1878 - First telephone directory (with 50 names) is issued (New Haven, Connecticut).
- 1885 - The Washington Monument is dedicated, in Washington, D.C. Its height is 555 feet and 5 1/8 inches.
- 1887 - First US bacteriology laboratory opens (Brooklyn, New York).
- 1887 - Oregon becomes first US state to make Labor Day a holiday.
- 1899 - Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi is established as a national historic site.
- 1902 - Dr Harvey Cushing, first US brain surgeon, does his first brain operation.
- 1903 - Cornerstone laid for US army war college, Washington DC.
- 1904 - National Ski Association formed in Ishpeming, Michigan.
- 1922 - Airship Rome explodes at Hampton Roads, Virginia, USA; 34 die.
- 1925 - First issue of New Yorker magazine published.
- 1933 - President Franklin Roosevelt selects William Woodin as Treasury Secretary.
- 1941 - US Senate accepts Omar Bradley's demotion to Brigadier-General.
- 1944 - The War As It Happens televised news show premieres on NBC (New York City only).
- 1945 - US 10th Armour division overthrows Orscholz line.
- 1945 - The US 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team liberates Corregidor, Philippines.
- 1947 - First instant developing camera demonstrated in New York City, by E H Land.
- 1961 - Mercury-Atlas 2 reentry test reaches 172 km.
- 1963 - US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site.
- 1965 - In New York City, New York, USA, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X), an African American nationalist and religious leader, is assassinated by rival Nation of Islam members while addressing his Organization of Afro-American Unity.
- 1970 - Jackson Five make TV debut on American Bandstand.
- 1971 - Series of tornadoes cuts through Mississippi and Louisiana killing 117.
- 1972 - US President Richard Nixon becomes first US President to visit China.
- 1975 - John Mitchell, former Chief of Staff Harry R Haldeman, and John D Ehrlichman sentenced to 2.5-8 years.
- 1982 - Ain't Misbehavin' closes at Longacre Theater in New York City after 1604 performances.
- 1984 - Timex withdraws from the home computer business. Timex introduced the British Sinclair Research ZX81 computer to North America as the Timex/Sinclair 1000 in 1982. Priced at $100, then dropped to $50, a lack of software and physical size and memory size limitations dampened initial public enthusiasm.
- 1988 - During a live TV broadcast, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart confesses to an unspecified sin, then announces he would be leaving his ministry for an unspecified length of time.
- 1989 - US bust Chinese heroin ring, capture record 820 pounds heroin ($1 billion street value).
- 1991 - USSR announces Iraq agrees to a proposal to end Persian Gulf War; US calls the plan unacceptable.
- 2008 - In Belgrade, Serbia, rioters storm the US embassy and set it on fire. British, German, Croatian, and Turkish embassies are also attacked.
- 2008 - Monaco Rare Coins of California sells one of two known US 1861 gold $20 coins with Paquet reverse, graded MS-61 by PCGS, for $2.5 million in a private transaction.
- 2013 - American scientists use a 3D printer to create a living lab-grown ear from collagen and animal ear cell cultures.
- 2022 - After 25 seasons on PBS, animated children's TV show Arthur ends.
Other history:
- 1804 - The first locomotive, Richard Trevithick's, runs for first time, in Wales.
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