February 17th
On this day in 1904, this composer's opera Madame Butterfly premiered at La Scala theatre in Milan, Italy.
Giacomo Puccini
On this day in 1885, Mark Twain published this famous novel.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
On this day in 1847, this famous group was rescued from the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The Donner Party
On this day in 1962, John Glenn became the first American to complete this kind of flight.
An orbit around the Earth
On this day in 1801, this man was elected the third president of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson
On this day in 1930, this planet (now a "dwarf") was discovered by an astronomer in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Pluto
This day in 1473 marked the birth of this Polish father of modern astronomy.
Copernicus
On this day in 1998, this American 15-year-old became the youngest Olympic figure skating gold medalist.
Tara Lipinski
On this day in 1820, the U.S. Senate passed this "Compromise."
The Missouri Compromise
This day in 1929 marked the announcement of the first winners of these film awards.
The Academy Awards/
The Oscars
On this day in 1945, U.S. marines invaded this Pacific island guarded by Japanese artillery.
Iwo Jima
On this day in 1985, the Irish government defied the Catholic Church by voting to allow the sale of these.
Contraceptives
On this day in 1972, the Model T was overtaken by this vehicle as the world's best-selling car.
Volkswagen Beetle
This day in 1931 marks the birth of this American writer of Beloved, Song of Solomon, and many other novels.
Toni Morrison
On this day in 1878, Thomas Edison patented this device - the first one to record sound and play it back.
Phonograph
This day in 1902 marks the birth of this famous photographer from San Francisco.
Ansel Adams
This day in 1963 marked the birth of this American Basketball Hall of Famer and 6-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls.
Michael Jordan
On this day in 1933, this Japanese singer, artist, and future wife of John Lennon was born.
Yoko Ono
This day in 1916 marked the birth of American jockey Eddie Arcaro, who won this series of races twice in his career.
The Triple Crown
This day in 1927 marks the birth of this Bahamian-American actor - the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Actor in 1963.
Sidney Poitier