February 19th
1674
The Netherlands and England signed the Peace of Westminster, by which New Amsterdam passed to the English (and was renamed New York).
1807
Aaron Burr, vice president under Thomas Jefferson, was arrested for treason. He was later acquitted.
1878
Thomas Edison patented the gramophone (phonograph).
1881
Kansas became the first state to prohibit all alcoholic beverages.
1942
President Franklin Roosevelt signed an executive order that resulted in the internment of thousands of Japanese-Americans living on the West Coast.
1945
The U.S. Marines went ashore at Iwo Jima.
1968
The first nationwide broadcast of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood aired on PBS.
1980
AC/DC singer Bon Scott died at age 33.
2008
An ailing Fidel Castro resigned the Cuban presidency after nearly a half-century in power; his brother Raul was later named to succeed him.
Birthdays
69 Smokey Robinson R&B singer, songwriter
61 Tony Iommi Rock musician (Black Sabbath)
54 Jeff Daniels Actor
50 Roger Goodell NFL commissioner
46 Seal Rock singer
44 Jon Fishman Rock musician (Phish)
43 Justine Bateman Actress ("Family Ties")
42 Benicio Del Toro Actor
41
designwise1 Cigar Asylum Inmate
34 Daniel Adair Rock musician (Nickelback)
24 Haylie Duff Singer
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donjefe Cigar Asylum Inmate
70 Nicolaus Copernicus 2/19/1473 - 5/24/1543 Polish astronomer
47 Big John Studd 2/19/1948 - 2/20/1995 Professional wrestler