GMT

February 7

1783 The Siege of Gibraltar, which was pursued by the Spanish and the French since July 24, 1779, is finally lifted.

1926 Negro History Week, originated by Carter G. Woodson, is observed for the first time.

1944 The Germans launch a second attack against the Allied beachead at Anzio, Italy. They hoped to push the Allies back into the sea.


1963 The Mona Lisa is put on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

1964 The British band The Beatles are greeted by 25,000 fans upon their arrival in the United States at JFK Airport.

1983 Iran opens an invasion in the southeast of Iraq.


Born on February 7

1804 John Deere, farm equipment manufacturer

1812 Charles Dickens, prolific English novelist whose stories reflected life in Victorian England. Some of his more famous works include Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities.

1867 Laura Ingalls Wilder, author whose works were the basis for television's Little House on the Prairie.


JOTD

There was an old professor who started every class with a vulgar joke.
After one particularly nasty example, the women in the class decided to walk out the next time he started.
The professor got wind of this plot, so the next morning he walked in and said, “Good morning, class. Did you hear the one about the shortage of whores in India?”
With that, all the women stood up and headed for the door.
“Wait, ladies,” cried the professor, “The boat doesn't leave until tomorrow!”