Today in history, Ivan IV crowns himself the new Czar of Russia in Assumption Cathedral in Moscow in 1547.
Today in history, The Council of Virginia guarantees religious freedom in 1786.
Today in history, John C. Fremont, the famed “Pathfinder” of Western exploration, is appointed governor of California in 1847.
Today in history, General William T. Sherman begins a march through the Carolinas in 1865.
Today in history, One of Ernest Shackleton‘s polar exploration teams reaches the Magnetic South Pole in 1909.
Today in history, Maxim Gorky is authorized to return to Russia after an eight year exile for political dissidence in 1914.
Today in history, Franklin D. Roosevelt asks for an extension of the Social Security Act to include more women and children in 1939.
Today in history, Eisenhower assumes supreme command of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe in 1944.
Today in history, The U.S. First and Third armies link up at Houffalize, effectively ending the Battle of the Bulge in 1945.
Today in history, The Egyptian government makes Islam the state religion in 1956.
Today in history, Eighteen are arrested in Mississippi for the murder of three civil rights workers in 1965.
Today in history, The Persian Gulf War begins. The massive U.S.-led offensive against Iraq — Operation Desert Storm — ends on February 28, 1991, when President George Bush declares a cease-fire, and Iraq pledges to honor future coalition and U.N. peace terms.
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