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Today in history

1990, Nelson Mandela released from prison

By The Associated Press Today is Tuesday, Feb. 11, the 42nd day of 2025. There are 323 days left in the year. Today in history: On Feb. 11, 1990, South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in prison. (Mandela would be elected president of South Africa ...

1962, ‘Bridge of Spies’ prisoner exchange

By The Associated Press Today is Monday, Feb. 10, the 41st day of 2025. There are 324 days left in the year. Today in history: On Feb. 10, 1962, on the Glienicke Bridge connecting West Berlin and East Germany, the Soviet Union exchanged captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers for ...

FBI agents, with assistance from South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division and State Police, search the side of a warehouse across the street from S.C. State College where African-American students and police exchanged gunfire last week, in Orangeburg, S.C., Feb. 13, 1968. Several bullets were found imbedded in the warehouse. (AP Photo)

By The Associated Press Today is Saturday, Feb. 8, the 39th day of 2025. There are 326 days left in the year. Today in history: On Feb. 8, 1968, three Black students were killed and 28 wounded as state troopers opened fire on student demonstrators on the campus of South Carolina State ...

1952, Queen Elizabeth II accedes to throne

By The Associated Press Today is Thursday, Feb. 6, the 37th day of 2025. There are 328 days left in the year. Today in history: On Feb. 6, 1952, Britain’s King George VI, 56, died at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England; he was succeeded as monarch by his 25-year-old eldest daughter, ...

1959, “the day the music died”

By The Associated Press Today is Monday, Feb. 3, the 34th day of 2025. There are 331 days left in the year. Today in history: On Feb. 3, 1959, which would become known as “the day the music died,” rock-and-roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson ...

2020, US declares public health emergency over coronavirus

By The Associated Press Today is Friday, Jan. 31, the 31st day of 2025. There are 334 days left in the year. Today in history: On Jan. 31, 2020, the United States declared a public health emergency over the new coronavirus, and President Donald Trump signed an order to temporarily bar ...