Today in 1564, Michelangelo died.
Today in 1688, Quakers conducted their first formal protest of slavery in Germantown, Pennsylvania.
Today in 1930, the ninth planet in our solar system, Pluto, was discovered.
Today in 1930, Elm Farm Ollie became the first cow to ever fly in an airplane.
Today in 1970, the “Chicago Seven” were acquitted of conspiring to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, though 5 were convicted for inciting individually. Originally known as the “Chicago 8,” the group was reduced to seven when Bobby Seals was removed from the proceedings and tried separately.
Today in 1994, skater Dan Jansen won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. He had failed to earn a medal in 1988 because he was distraught over his sister’s death. After taking the gold, he skated his victory lap holding his baby daughter Jane, named after his late sister.
Today in 1998, in Nevada, two white separatists were arrested and accused of plotting a bacterial attack on subways in New York City.
Today in 1998, sportscaster Harry Caray died in Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of 83.
Today in 2001, NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Sr., was killed in a crash during the Daytona 500 race.
Today in 2001, FBI agent Robert Philip Hanssen was arrested and accused of spying for Russia for more than 15 years. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Today in 2006, American Shani Davis won the men's 1,000-meter speed-skating in Turin. He was the first black athlete to win an individual gold medal in Winter Olympic history.
Today in 2012, Kateri Tekakwitha was canonized as the first Native American saint.
Today in 2016, Pope Francis questioned Presidential hopeful Donald Trump's Christianity over his call to build a wall on the Mexican border.
Today in 2020, President Donald Trump commuted the 14-year sentence of former Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich's corruption conviction.
Today in 2021, nearly seven-million people required to boil their water in Texas as unusually harsh winter storm in the state continues.
Today in 2021, NASA's Perseverance rover successfully landed at Jezero Crater, Mars, on mission to find microfossils.