1650 ~ Birthday of Nell Gwynne, English actress, royal mistress.

1653 ~ New Amsterdam (later renamed New York City) was incorporated.

1709 ~ Alexander Selkirk was rescued from shipwreck on a desert island, inspiring the book “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe.

1875 ~ Birthday of Fritz Kreisler, Austrian violinist.

1887 ~ In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania the first Groundhog Day was observed.

1905 ~ Birthday of Ayn Rand, Author.

1947 ~ Birthday of Melanie, Singer.

1970 ~ Death of Bertrand Russell, Mathematician & Philosopher.

1982 ~ Hama Massacre: The government of Syria attacked the town of Hama and killed thousands of people

1989 ~ Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan: The last Soviet Union armored column left Kabul ending nine years of military occupation.


Holidays and observances

United States & Canada ~ Groundhog Day

__________________
Eudaimonia