February 1
1842: The first adhesive postage stamps in the U.S. are issued by Alexander Greig’s City Despatch Post in New York City.
1960: Four African American students begin the Greensboro sit-ins at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in North Carolina, sparking nationwide civil rights protests.
February 2
1653: New Amsterdam, which would later be renamed New York City, was officially incorporated as a city.
1913: Grand Central Terminal opened to the public, becoming the world’s largest train station at that time.
February 3
1690: French and Native American forces attacked and destroyed the settlement of Schenectady in New York Province.
1959: Rock ‘n’ roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson died in a plane crash, an event later termed “The Day the Music Died.”
February 4
1901: Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Tosca” had its American premiere at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
1934: Rioting broke out in the streets of New York over a cab driver strike as strikers fought with police and burned independent cabs.
February 5
1934: 500 striking cab drivers rioted on Broadway in New York City.
1965:Eastern Air Lines Flight 663 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Jones Beach after takeoff from JFK Airport, resulting in the deaths of all 84 people on board.
February 6
1934: The 6 February 1934 crisis: French far-right leagues and other conservatives rioted on the Place de la Concorde near the French National Assembly.
1952: Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI.
February 7
1964: The Beatles arrived at New York’s JFK Airport for their first U.S. tour, marking the start of “Beatlemania” in America.
1984: NASA astronauts Bruce McCandless II and Robert L. Stewart made the first untethered spacewalk using the Manned Maneuvering Unit.
February 8
1837: Richard Upjohn’s Trinity Church was consecrated in Lower Manhattan, a historic landmark of NYC architecture.
1870: The first-ever asphalt pavement in the U.S. was laid on William Street in Manhattan, revolutionizing urban roadways.
February 9
1964: The Beatles made their first live U.S. TV appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.
1913: The House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams as President
February 10
1969: Lindsay Snowstorm” paralyzes NYC, leading to political fallout.
1846: The steamboat “Knickerbocker” explodes in New York Harbor.
February 11
1901: NYC installs its first public telephones.
1937: A massive snowstorm drops over 14 inches of snow on NYC.
February 12
1878: Frederick Douglass delivers a speech in NYC advocating for women’s suffrage.
1924: George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” premieres in NYC.
February 13
1909: Lee De Forest predicts the rise of wireless broadcasting.
1867: NYC replaces the Metropolitan Police with the Blue Police Force.
February 14
1929: The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago impacts NYC law enforcement.
1909: A tragic theatre fire in Mexico with NYC connections kills over 250.
February 15
1909: A bizarre workplace accident in NYC kills George Spencer Millet.
1965: Canada’s maple leaf flag is raised, noted by NYC due to close ties.
February 16
1868: The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was founded in NYC.
1918: U.S. announces first use of daylight saving time.
February 17
1913: The “Armory Show” introduces modern art to America.
1904: Madison Square Garden hosts the first AKC dog show.
February 18
1923: Fire at Manhattan State Hospital kills 27 people.
1930: First known film footage of Statue of Liberty’s interior.
February 19
1878: Thomas Edison patents the phonograph.
1910: First international aviation meet at Belmont Park.
February 20
1872: The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens to the public.
1939: Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden sparks protests.
February 21
1965: Malcolm X assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom.
1885: NYC delegation attends the Washington Monument dedication.
February 22
1902: Fire at Park Avenue Hotel kills 17 people.
1879: Frank Woolworth opens first “five-and-dime” store in NY.
February 23
1905: Rotary Club founded, influencing NYC civic service.
1945: Iwo Jima flag photo published in NYC.
February 24
1803: Marbury v. Madison discussed in NYC.
1938: Nylon toothbrush sold in NYC.
February 25
1870: Hiram Revels, first Black U.S. senator, celebrated in NYC.
1983: Tennessee Williams’ death mourned in NYC theater.
February 26
1919: Grand Canyon Park establishment noted in NYC.
1993: WTC bombing kills 6, injures 1,000.
February 27
1827: Freedom’s Journal published in NYC.
1964: Michelangelo’s Pietà restoration news in NYC.
February 28
1939: False report of Pope Pius XI’s death in NYC.
1953: DNA double helix discovery covered in NYC.
