Month: February 2024

What Happened On February 8th? February 8th, 1950 is a day that German Democratic Republic (GDR), also known as East Germany will never forget. The birth of the "Stasi," one of the most repressive intelligence agencies in the world, casted an oppressive shadow over Germany for the next four decades. With one secret policeman for every 166 East Germans, the Stasi maintained the widest reach of surveillance in secret police history. Now on this day, the East German parliament established the Stasi with Wilhelm Zaisser, a communist politician. Initially tasked with countering Western intelligence services and suppressing remnants of Nazism, the…

What Happened On February 7th? On this day in 2005, Ellen MacArthur, a 28 year-old English yachtswoman, crossed the finish line in Ushant, France after sailing all by herself around the globe. Not only was this her second time sailing around the Earth, but she completing her circumnavigation in a record-breaking time. She deservedly is the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), as Queen Elizabeth appointed her a day after on February 8th. This was not a sprint by any means, and this grueling and dangerous marathon lasted 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, and 33 seconds;…

What Happened On February 3rd? Today on February 3rd of 1972, the "Black Blizzard," also known as the worst blizzard in history, began the day with a few snowflakes in Iran. Light snowfall had been reported in western Iran over the previous days, but there was an increased escalation on this morning. Weather reports warned of a snowstorm approaching from the west, but its true ferocity wasn't fully anticipated. As the day progressed, snow began falling more heavily in western provinces like Kurdistan and Kermanshah. Initial excitement of winter quickly turned into concern as the snowfall continued to intensify, covering…