Tokyo, Japan. Several notable historical events are recorded as having occurred on February 4, spanning war, diplomacy, independence, crime, natural disaster, and culture.
Russo-Japanese War begins
In 1904, the Russo-Japanese war began when Japan laid siege to Port Arthur.
Heavyweight fight result
In 1935, Walter Neusel defeated Jack Petersen in a heavyweight fight.
Yalta meeting
In 1945, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and Soviet leader Josef Stalin met at Yalta in the Crimea to discuss plans for the defeat of the Axis powers and decide on the post-war world.
Independence of Ceylon
In 1948, Ceylon gained independence, with Sir Henry Monck-Mason Moore as its first Governor-General.
Kidnapping of Patricia Hearst
In 1974, Patricia Hearst, granddaughter of U.S. newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army.
Guatemala earthquake
In 1976, an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale and resulting mudslides killed 23,000 people near Guatemala City.
Robbie Knievel jump in Las Vegas
In 1999, daredevil Robbie Knievel successfully jumped his motorcycle in a rooftop-to-rooftop leap at the 16-story twin hotel towers of the Jockey Club in Las Vegas.
Facebook founded
In 2004, Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg.
Death of Barbara McNair
In 2007, singer and actress Barbara McNair, who starred opposite Elvis Presley and Sidney Poitier and became one of the first black women to host her own television variety show, died aged 72.
Which of these February 4 events do you consider the most historically significant?
