February 1: What Happened on This Day in History
February 1st marks the 32nd day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 333 days (334 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on February 1st in history, famous birthdays on February 1st, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to February 1.
What happened on February 1?
Here's what happened on February 1st in history:
- 2021: On February 1st, 2021, the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) executed a strategic coup d'état, forcibly removing democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power and reinstating direct military rule. The coup abruptly terminated Myanmar's fragile democratic transition, detaining key civilian government officials and declaring a one-year state of emergency. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 2008: A suicide bomber detonated explosives in a crowded market in Baghdad, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries. This attack underscored the persistent violence in Iraq amid ongoing security operations. source: reuters.com
- 2006: In early February 2006, a series of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad were published in a Danish newspaper, leading to widespread protests and diplomatic tensions across the Muslim world. The controversy sparked debates over freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs. source: bbc.com
- 1990: Super Mario Bros. 3, a platform game developed by Nintendo, was released in North America on February 12, 1990. The game introduced new power-ups and features, becoming one of the best-selling NES games of all time. source: giantbomb.com
- 1987: On February 1, 1987, United Auto Workers (UAW) members ratified a new 20-month contract with Deere & Company, ending a 163-day strike—the longest in the company's history. The agreement provided job security for 90% of employees, health and life insurance, retirement pensions, profit sharing, and maintained cost-of-living adjustments. However, it did not include changes to general wage rates. source: csmonitor.com
- 1985: On February 1, 1985, Brian Boitano secured his first U.S. Men's Figure Skating Championship title in Kansas City, Missouri, landing seven triple jumps in his free skate. This victory marked his emergence as a leading figure in American figure skating, following the retirement of Olympic champion Scott Hamilton. source: latimes.com
- 1983: On February 1, 1983, the Soviet Union conducted an underground nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. This test was part of a series of nuclear tests conducted by the USSR during the Cold War, contributing to ongoing tensions between superpowers. The test was not publicly acknowledged until years later, reflecting the secretive nature of nuclear testing during that era. source: britannica.com
- 1981: On February 1, 1981, during a One Day International cricket match between Australia and New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australian captain Greg Chappell instructed his brother, bowler Trevor Chappell, to deliver the final ball underarm to prevent New Zealand from scoring a six to tie the match. This tactic, while legal at the time, was widely criticized as unsportsmanlike and led to changes in cricket laws to prohibit underarm bowling in future matches. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1978: On February 1, 1978, Harriet Tubman became the first African American woman to appear on a U.S. postage stamp, marking the beginning of the Black Heritage Series. Tubman was renowned for her role in the Underground Railroad and her service as a scout and spy during the Civil War. source: history.com
- 1975: On February 1, 1975, President Gerald Ford announced that the 1976 fiscal year budget would reflect a deficit of $52 billion, marking the largest peacetime deficit in U.S. history at that time. source: presidency.ucsb.edu
What famous birthdays are on February 1?
On February 1st there are the following famous birthdays:
![Clark Gable]()
Clark Gable (1901)Clark Gable was an acclaimed American film actor, widely regarded as one of the most iconic male movie stars of classic Hollywood. He is best remembered for his role as Rhett Butler in 'Gone with the Wind' (1939), which cemented his legacy as 'The King of Hollywood.'[1][2] [bio]
![Ronda Rousey]()
Ronda Rousey (1987)Ronda Rousey is an American professional wrestler, former mixed martial artist, and judoka, widely recognized for her success in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and her subsequent career in WWE. She is celebrated for being the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo and for breaking barriers in women's MMA. [bio]
![Michael C. Hall]()
Michael C. Hall (1971)Michael C. Hall is an American actor best known for his television roles as the titular character on Showtime's "Dexter" and as David Fisher on HBO's "Six Feet Under." Over his career, Hall has received acclaim for his versatile acting and has been nominated for and received several prestigious industry awards. [bio]
![Brandon Lee]()
Brandon Lee (1965)Brandon Lee was an American actor and martial artist, best known for his role as Eric Draven in the film 'The Crow.' He was the son of legendary martial artist and actor Bruce Lee. [bio]
![Sherman Hemsley]()
Sherman Hemsley (1938)Sherman Hemsley was an American actor best known for his portrayal of George Jefferson on the television sitcoms 'All in the Family' and its spin-off 'The Jeffersons.' He was recognized for his comedic timing and distinctive voice, becoming a pop culture icon during the 1970s and 1980s. [bio]
![Rick James]()
Rick James (1948)Rick James was an influential American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, best known for his work in funk music and for hits like 'Super Freak' and 'Give It to Me Baby.' [bio]
![Big Boi]()
Big Boi (1975)Big Boi is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer, best known as one half of the iconic hip hop duo Outkast alongside André 3000. With Outkast, Big Boi achieved commercial and critical success, helping to shape Southern hip hop and influencing a generation of artists. [bio]
![Jackie Shroff]()
Jackie Shroff (1958)Jackie Shroff is a prominent Indian actor known for his work in Hindi cinema. With a career spanning over four decades, he has appeared in more than 220 films across 13 languages and is celebrated for his versatility and enduring popularity. [bio]
![Abbi Jacobson]()
Abbi Jacobson (1984)Abbi Jacobson is an American comedian, writer, actress, and illustrator best known as the co-creator and star of the acclaimed Comedy Central series 'Broad City'. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on February 1?
On February 1st the following celebrities died:
![Maximilian Schell]()
Maximilian Schell (2014)Maximilian Schell was an acclaimed Austrian-Swiss actor, director, producer, and writer best known for his performances in both European and American cinema. He achieved international fame with his Academy Award-winning role in 'Judgment at Nuremberg' (1961) and was renowned for his powerful screen presence and versatility across drama and historical productions. [bio]
![Heather O'Rourke]()
Heather O'Rourke (1988)Heather O'Rourke was an American child actress best known for her starring role as Carol Anne Freeling in the 'Poltergeist' film trilogy. Her performance and memorable line, 'They're here,' became iconic in horror cinema before her untimely death at a young age. [bio]
![Hedda Hopper]()
Hedda Hopper (1966)Hedda Hopper was a prominent American actress and one of Hollywood's most influential gossip columnists. Best known for her powerful and sometimes controversial syndicated newspaper column, Hopper became a central figure in 20th-century Hollywood, using her platform to shape public opinion about celebrities, movies, and political issues. [bio]
![Hildegard Knef]()
Hildegard Knef (2002)Hildegard Knef was a renowned German actress, singer, and writer, internationally recognized for her roles in postwar German cinema, as well as her successful music and writing career. She was especially known for her performance in the film 'The Sinner' and her acclaimed autobiographies. [bio]
![John Vernon]()
John Vernon (2005)John Vernon was a Canadian actor known for his distinctive voice and performances in film and television, often portraying villains and authority figures. He is perhaps best remembered for his role as Dean Vernon Wormer in the comedy film 'Animal House.' [bio]
![Richard Wattis]()
![Werner Heisenberg]()
Werner Heisenberg (1976)Werner Heisenberg was a renowned German physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking work in quantum mechanics,...
![Rick Husband]()
Rick Husband (2003)NASA astronaut and Space Shuttle Columbia commander who tragically died during the spacecraft's catastrophic reentry on February 2, 2003.
![George Stokes]()
George Stokes (1903)Developed the Navier-Stokes equations, which describe the motion of viscous fluid substances.
![Herb Caen]()
Herb Caen (1997)Legendary San Francisco Chronicle columnist who chronicled the city's culture, politics, and social life for over five decades, becoming an...
What day of the year is February 1?
February 1st marks the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 333 days remaining until the end of the year (or 334 days in case of leap years).
February 1st is the 1st day of the month of February.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day February 1?
The zodiac sign associated with February 1st is Aquarius according to the Western Zodiac.
