Boston Massacre / Iron Curtain / Stalin / Hula Hoop

Roman Emperor Julian, with 90,000 soldiers, moved from Antioch to attack the Sassanian Empire, leading to his death.

Naser Khosrow embarks on a seven-year Middle Eastern journey, which he later describes in his book “Safarnama ”.

King Henry VII gives John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) a commission to explore new lands.

The Spanish physician Francisco Hernández introduced smoking tobacco to Europe.

British soldiers kill five men in a crowd, throwing snowballs and sticks. The Boston Massacre fueled anti-British sentiment. Crispus Attucks was the first American killed in the American Revolution.

The first continuous filibuster in the US Senate begins as the Democratic minority attempts to delay a national bank bill until March 11.

Piano company Steinway & Sons was founded by Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg in New York City.

Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech popularized the term and brought attention to the division of Europe.

Joseph Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union since 1924, died of a massive brain hemorrhage.

Arthur "Spud" Melin, co-founder of Wham-O, patented the Hula Hoop, a hip-swiveling toy that became a huge fad, and sold 25 million in the first four months alone.

"Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin was first performed live at Ulster Hall in Belfast by the band members.