2 March 1992

Start of the war in Transnistria.

The war in Transnistria was a conflict that occurred between 1990 and 1992 in the breakaway region of Transnistria, which is located in eastern Moldova.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, tensions rose between the majority ethnic Romanians in Moldova and the minority ethnic Russians and Ukrainians. In Transnistria, which was home to a large Russian-speaking population, a separatist movement emerged that sought to break away from Moldova and join the Russian Federation.

In 1990, the Transnistrian authorities declared independence from Moldova, which led to an armed conflict between the Moldovan government and Transnistrian separatists, who were supported by Russian forces. The fighting continued for two years, until a ceasefire was declared in 1992.

The conflict resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and the displacement of thousands. Today, Transnistria remains a self-declared independent state, but it is not recognized by the international community, and its status remains unresolved.

1 March 1845

United States President John Tyler signs a bill authorizing the United States to annex the Republic of Texas.

Texas became a state of the United States on December 29, 1845. Its path to statehood was a tumultuous one, marked by conflicts and controversies.

Texas was originally a territory of Mexico, but in 1836, the Texian army, led by General Sam Houston, defeated the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto and declared independence. Texas remained an independent republic for several years, but it soon became clear that the country could not survive economically without the support of a larger nation.

In 1845, Texas was annexed by the United States through a joint resolution of Congress. This was a controversial move, as it was opposed by many in both the North and the South. The Northern states were opposed to the annexation of Texas because they feared it would expand the power of slavery in the United States, while the Southern states were in favor of annexation because they believed it would give them more power in the federal government.

After the annexation was approved, Texas was admitted to the Union as the 28th state. This was a significant event in American history, as it marked the beginning of the expansion of the United States to the West and the eventual annexation of other territories, such as California, Oregon, and New Mexico.

28 February 1991

The first Gulf War ends.

The first Gulf War, also known as the Persian Gulf War, was a conflict that took place in 1990-1991 between Iraq and a coalition of forces led by the United States. The primary cause of the war was Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990.

Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq at the time, claimed that Kuwait was historically part of Iraq and accused it of stealing oil from a disputed border region. Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait was met with widespread international condemnation, and the United Nations Security Council passed a series of resolutions demanding Iraq’s immediate withdrawal from Kuwait.

When Iraq failed to comply with the UN resolutions, a coalition of 35 countries, led by the United States, launched a military operation called Operation Desert Shield to defend Saudi Arabia, which had been threatened by Iraq, and to force Iraq out of Kuwait. This operation eventually led to the start of the ground war known as Operation Desert Storm, which lasted from January 17 to February 28, 1991, and resulted in the expulsion of Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

27 February 1973

The American Indian Movement occupies Wounded Knee in protest of the federal government.

The American Indian Movement (AIM) is a civil rights organization that was founded in 1968 by a group of Native American activists in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AIM was formed in response to the social and political injustices faced by Native Americans, including discrimination, poverty, and the loss of their traditional lands and ways of life.

The goals of the American Indian Movement were to promote and protect the rights of Native Americans, to preserve their cultures and traditions, and to bring attention to the issues facing Native American communities. The organization used a variety of tactics, including protests, demonstrations, and legal actions, to achieve its goals.

AIM played a prominent role in a number of high-profile events and incidents during the 1970s, including the occupation of Alcatraz Island, the takeover of the Bureau of Indian Affairs headquarters in Washington, D.C., and the occupation of Wounded Knee, South Dakota. These actions brought national attention to the struggles of Native Americans and helped to increase awareness of their rights and issues.

Today, the American Indian Movement continues to advocate for Native American rights and works to preserve and promote Native American cultures and traditions.

26 February 1993

World Trade Center bombing: In New York City, a truck bomb parked below the North Tower of the World Trade Center explodes, killing six and injuring over a thousand people

The 1993 World Trade Center bombing was carried out by a group of terrorists led by Ramzi Yousef, a Pakistani national. The attack occurred on February 26, 1993, when a truck bomb was detonated below the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The explosion killed six people and injured over a thousand others.

In addition to Yousef, several other individuals were involved in planning and carrying out the attack. These included Abdul Rahman Yasin, who helped mix the chemicals used in the bomb, and Mohammed Salameh, who rented the truck that was used to transport the bomb to the World Trade Center.

In 1997, Ramzi Yousef was convicted for his role in the bombing and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The other individuals involved in the attack were also apprehended and convicted.

25 February 1951

The first Pan American Games are officially opened in Buenos Aires by Argentine President Juan Perón.

The Pan American Games were a multi-sport event that was held every four years, featuring athletes from countries in North, South, and Central America, as well as the Caribbean. The games were first held in 1951 and continued until 2019.

The Pan American Games were created to promote friendly competition and cultural exchange among the countries of the Americas. The games included a variety of sports, including athletics, swimming, basketball, boxing, cycling, and many others. The number of sports and events included in the games varied over the years.

The Pan American Games were organized by the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), which was founded in 1940. The games were modeled after the Olympic Games and were held in the year prior to the Summer Olympics, making them an important competition for athletes seeking to qualify for the Olympics.

The most recent Pan American Games were held in Lima, Peru in 2019, and featured over 6,500 athletes from 41 countries competing in 39 sports. The next edition of the games is scheduled to be held in Santiago, Chile in 2023. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the dates for the games have been postponed from the original scheduled dates.

24 February 1918

Estonian Declaration of Independence.

The Estonian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on February 24, 1918, by the Estonian Provincial Assembly in Tallinn, Estonia. The declaration marked the end of over two centuries of foreign rule and established Estonia as an independent republic.

The declaration was a response to the political chaos that emerged after the Russian Revolution of 1917. In the aftermath of the revolution, Estonia was briefly occupied by both German and Soviet forces, but in late 1917, the Estonian Provincial Assembly declared itself the supreme authority in the region.

The declaration itself was written by a committee of Estonian leaders, including Konstantin Päts, Jüri Vilms, and Konstantin Konik. It declared Estonia to be an independent democratic republic with a government elected by the people.

The declaration was not immediately recognized by foreign powers, and Estonia had to fight for its independence in the Estonian War of Independence, which lasted from 1918 to 1920. The war was ultimately successful, and Estonia was recognized as an independent state by the Soviet Union in the Treaty of Tartu in 1920.

The Estonian Declaration of Independence remains an important symbol of Estonian national identity and is celebrated as a national holiday in Estonia every February 24th.

23 February 1947

International Organization for Standardization is founded.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international organization that develops and publishes standards for various industries and fields. ISO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has members from over 165 countries.

ISO’s main objective is to promote worldwide standardization and to facilitate international trade by developing and publishing internationally recognized standards for products, services, and systems. These standards cover a wide range of topics, including quality management, environmental management, information technology, energy management, and many more.

ISO standards provide a common set of guidelines and best practices that businesses, governments, and other organizations can use to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of their products, services, and operations. Compliance with ISO standards can also help organizations demonstrate their commitment to meeting customer needs and regulatory requirements.

ISO standards are developed through a consensus-based process that involves input from industry experts, national standards bodies, and other stakeholders. Once a standard is developed and published, it is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant and up-to-date with changes in technology, industry best practices, and regulatory requirements.

22 February 1959

Lee Petty wins the first Daytona 500.

The Daytona 500 is a special event in the world of motorsports, particularly in the United States, for several reasons:

History: The Daytona 500 is the most prestigious and historic race in NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), which is the largest governing body of stock car racing in the United States. The first Daytona 500 was held in 1959 and has been held annually since then, making it one of the oldest and most respected events in American motorsports.

Track: The Daytona International Speedway, which hosts the Daytona 500, is one of the most famous tracks in the world of racing. It is a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) tri-oval track, with high-banked turns that allow for high speeds and close racing.

Fans: The Daytona 500 attracts a huge number of fans from all over the world, who come to witness the spectacle of the race and the accompanying festivities. It is one of the most-watched and most-attended sporting events in the world.

Prize Money: The Daytona 500 offers a substantial amount of prize money to the winning driver and their team, with the total purse in recent years exceeding $23 million.

Prestige: Winning the Daytona 500 is considered one of the greatest achievements in NASCAR and a highlight of any driver’s career. It is a race that drivers, teams, and fans alike all want to win, and the prestige of winning the race lasts a lifetime.

21 February 1878

The first telephone directory is issued in New Haven, Connecticut.

Telephone directories, also known as phone books, have become less popular in recent years due to the widespread use of online directories and search engines. Many people now rely on websites such as Google or specialized online directories like Whitepages.com to find phone numbers and contact information for businesses and individuals.

In addition, the widespread use of smartphones and mobile devices has made it easier for people to access phone numbers and contact information on the go, without the need for a physical phone book. As a result, many telephone companies and publishers have discontinued the printing of phone books, or have significantly reduced the number of copies they produce.

While telephone directories may no longer be as common as they once were, some people still prefer to use them, especially for finding phone numbers for local businesses or individuals who may not have a strong online presence. Some directories are still published and distributed in certain areas, but they are becoming increasingly rare.