Happy Anniversary: End of the world was nigh
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SOME of the more or less noteworthy happenings during the forthcoming week in history.
31 January:
1606: Guy Fawkes is hanged, drawn and quartered.
1747: The first venereal disease clinic opens at London Lock Hospital.
1876: From this date all American Indians are required to move into reservations, or be deemed hostile.
1910: The first labour exchanges open in Britain.
1983: The wearing of seat- belts becomes compulsory in the front seats of cars in the United Kingdom.
1 February:
1884: A-Ant, the first volume of the Oxford English Dictionary, is published.
1902: China abolishes the compulsory binding of women's feet.
1911: Edward Mylius is jailed for one year for libel, after calling George V a bigamist.
1915: Photographs become a requirement in British passports.
1965: The singer P J Proby is banned by the BBC after splitting his trousers on stage.
1973: Women are allowed for the first time on the floor of the Stock Exchange.
1989: Death of Omiuri, a 16ft python believed by the Luo tribesmen of Kenya to possess magical powers.
2 February:
1709: Alexander Selkirk is rescued after five years as a castaway on the island of Mas a Tierra and the legend of Robinson Crusoe is born.
1852: The first public flushing lavatory for men is opened in London's Fleet Street.
1880: The first frozen meat to be imported to Britain arrives from Australia.
1962: A conjunction of eight planets portends the end of the world. Indian astrologers lead a pray-in to chant the liturgy 4.8 million times and the Burmese Prime Minister sets free animals to placate the gods. Apparently it worked.
1971: Idi Amin declares himself absolute ruler of Uganda.
1986: Lichtenstein gives women the vote.
3 February:
Feast Day of Saint Margaret who burst from a dragon's stomach after being eaten whole, an experience which qualified her to become the patron saint of pregnant women.
1877: Chopsticks (properly titled The Celebrated Chop Waltz) is registered at the British Museum, arranged as piano solo or duet by Arthur de Lull, a pseudonym of Euphemia Alten who wrote the tune when aged 16.
1942: The government announces the maximum permissible prices for clothes. A suit cannot cost more than pounds 4 18s 8d.
4 February:
1962: The Sunday Times produces Britain's first colour supplement.
1963: A learner driver is fined for driving on after her instructor had shouted 'This is suicide,' and jumped from the car.
5 February:
1905: In the cold spell in America, a polar bear freezes to death in Chicago zoo.
1924: The Greenwich time-signal pips are heard for the first time on BBC radio.
1953: Sweet rationing ends in Britain.
6 February:
Death of two kings: Charles II (1685) and George VI (1952) and birth of one queen: Anne (1665).
1901: The first public telephones come into operation at railway stations in Paris.
1961: Danny Blanchflower says no when Eamonn Andrews says: 'This is your life'.
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments