February 21st
1613
Michael Romanov was elected czar of Russia, beginning the Romanov imperial line.
1878
The first telephone book was issued (New Haven, Conn.).
1885
The Washington Monument was dedicated.
1916
Battle of Verdun, the longest and one of the bloodiest engagements of World War I, began.
1925
The New Yorker magazine made its debut.
1948
NASCAR is incorporated.
1965
Black nationalist leader Malcolm X was assassinated.
1968
An agreement between baseball players and club owners increased the minimum salary for major league players to $10,000 a year.
1972
President Nixon became the first U.S. president to visit China.
1986
Rollie Fingers refused to shave off his mustache to comply with the policy of the Cincinnati Reds.
1995
Steve Fossett became the first person to cross the Pacific Ocean solo in a balloon.
2000
David Letterman returned to his Late Night show about five weeks after having an emergency quintuple heart bypass operation.
2002
It was confirmed that Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was dead, allegedly murdered by Islamic militants.
Birthdays
74 Rue McClanahan Actress ("The Golden Girls")
66 David Geffen Recording executive
63 Tyne Daly Actress ("Cagney and Lacey")
63 Anthony Daniels Actor (C-3PO in the "Star Wars" films)
63 Alan Rickman Actor
60 Jerry Harrison Rock musician (Talking Heads)
54 Kelsey Grammer Actor ("Frasier")
51 Mary Chapin Carpenter Country singer
51 Jack Coleman Actor ("Heroes")
46 William Baldwin Actor
36 Tad Kinchla Rock musician (Blues Traveler)
30 Jennifer Love Hewitt Actress ("Ghost Whisperer")
30 Carly "Carlito" Colón Professional wrestler
22 Ellen Page Actress ("Juno")
20 Corbin Bleu Actor ("High School Musical")
73 Tom Yawkey 2/21/1903 - 7/9/1976 American sportsman and owner of the Boston Red Sox (1933-76)
66 W. H. Auden 2/21/1907 - 9/29/1973 English-bn. American poet and writer