Browse Historical Events by Day: What Happened on February 1st?

Death of Henry I of England, leading to a period of civil war known as The Anarchy.

Edward III becomes King of England after the abdication of his father, Edward II.

Edward III of England proclaims himself King of France, escalating the Hundred Years' War.

Henry IV of England's forces defeat rebel forces led by Henry "Hotspur" Percy at the Battle of Shrewsbury.

France declares war on Great Britain and the Netherlands, marking the beginning of the War of the First Coalition.

Abraham Lincoln approves the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery.

The United States Congress passes the Reconstruction Act, targeting the South for reconstruction after the Civil War.

Four African American students at North Carolina, Agricultural and Technical College, stage a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, sparking similar protests. The “Greensboro Four,” were Ezell Blair Jr. (now known as Jibreel Khazan), David Richmond, Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil. Their protest led to the Woolworth Department Store chain ending its policy of racial segregation in its stores in the southern United States. More

The Viet Cong launch the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War, marking a turning point in the conflict.

Malaysia Airlines Flight 363 is hijacked, but the attempt is foiled by passengers and crew.

Space Shuttle Columbia breaks apart upon re-entry, tragically killing all seven crew members. Columbia lifted off on time on the first shuttle mission of the year on Jan. 16, 2003, at 10:39 a.m. EST, It carried seven crew members, on a marathon international scientific research flight. More

The social networking website Facebook is launched by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates.

Australian wildfires, known as "Black Saturday," claim the lives of 173 people and destroy thousands of homes.