GMT

Today in History: February 7

1668 The Netherlands, England and Sweden conclude an alliance directed against Louis XIV of France.

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

1818 The first successful U.S. educational magazine, Academician, begins publication in New York City.

1882 American pugilist John L. Sullivan becomes the last of the bare-knuckle world heavyweight champions with his defeat of Patty Ryan in Mississippi City.

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

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.

1968 North Vietnamese use 11 Soviet-built light tanks to overrun the U.S. Special Forces camp at Lang Vei at the end of an 18-hour long siege.

1978 Ethiopia mounts a counter attack against Somalia.

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.

Joke of the Day
So a German, an Englishman and an Irishman

were all in Saudi Arabia, sharing a smuggled crate of booze when they were arrested by Saudi police. The mere possession of alcohol is a severe offence in Saudi Arabia, so they are all sentenced to death!
However, after many months and with the help of very good lawyers, they were able to appeal their sentences down to 20 lashes each of the whip.
As they were preparing for their punishment, the Sheikh announced: "As it is my first wife's birthday today, she has asked me to allow each of you one wish before your whipping."
The German was first in line; after thinking for a bit he said, "Please tie a pillow to my back." This was done, but after only 10 lashes the whip had shredded the pillow. When the punishment was done the German had to be carried away bleeding and crying in pain.
The Englishman was next up. After watching the German in horror he asked, "Please tie two pillows to my back." This time it took 15 lashes, but once again the pillows were shredded, and the Englishman was led away bleeding and whimpering in pain.
The Irishman was the last one up, but before he could say anything, the Sheikh turned to him and said: "You are from the most beautiful part of the world I have ever seen. Because of this, you may have two wishes!"
"Thank you, your Most Royal and Merciful highness," the Irishman replied. "In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me not 20, but 100 lashes."
"Not only are you an honorable man from a beautiful island, you are also very brave," the Sheikh said with admiration. "If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. And your second wish?"
And the Irishman said, "Tie the Englishman to my back."