Today in History for 5th February 2024

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Historical Events

1597 - A group of early Japanese Christians, known as the 26 Martyrs, are killed by the new government of Japan for being seen as a threat to Japanese society
1927 - "The General", American silent film starring Buster Keaton and Marion Mack, co-directed by Keaton and Clyde Bruckman, premieres in New York City
1938 - Hans Engnestangen skates world record 500m (41.8 sec)
1948 - Gretchen Fraser becomes 1st US woman Olympic ski slalom champion
1962 - Black and White parents stage an overnight sit-in after school board denies transfer requests of nine Black families for their children to be transferred to newer school facility in Englewood, New Jersey
1988 - 1st prime-time wrestling match in 30 yrs, André the Giant defeats Hulk Hogan

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Famous Birthdays

1519 - René of Châlon, (d. 1544)
1921 - Ken Adam, British film production designer (James Bond sets), born in Berlin, Germany (d. 2016)
1939 - Patric Standford, British composer (Taikayoku; Christus Requiem), born in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England (d. 2014)
1966 - Rok Petrovič, Slovenian skier, born in Ljubljana, Slovenia (d. 1993)
1975 - Jan l'Ami, Dutch soccer player (Willem II), born in Breda, Netherlands
1986 - Reed Sorenson, American stock car racing driver, born in Peachtree City, Georgia

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Famous Deaths

1812 - Franz Schneider, Austrian composer, dies at 74
1926 - André Gedalge, French composer (le Petit Savoyard, Phoebé) and Mayor of Chessy, Seine-et-Marne, dies at 69
1961 - Anthony Gustav de Rothschild, British philanthropist, dies at 73
1975 - Åke Persson, Swedish bebop jazz trombonist (Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band, 1963–71), dies at 42
1977 - Izaak Boleslavski, Russian chess player, dies at 67
2005 - Gnassingbé Eyadéma, General and President of Togo (1967-2005), dies of a heart attack at 69

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