this day in history

On 8 February 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringhay after the Babington Plot. Her death was lawful theatre, political necessity, and a dynastic tragedy all at once.

On 8 February 1904, Japan struck first at Port Arthur and shattered more than a fleet. Russia's defeat exposed the rot of Tsarism years before 1917 finished the job.

On 7 February 1906, Aisin-Gioro Puyi was born in Beijing. He became Emperor of China at two, lost the throne at six, spent his life as the plaything of forces vastly larger than himself, and died a gardener.

On 6 February 1952, a twenty-five-year-old princess in Kenya learned her father was dead. She reigned for seventy years — longer than any British monarch in history — and watched the empire she inherited dissolve beneath her.

On 4 February 2 BC, the Roman Senate hailed Augustus as Pater Patriae — Father of the Fatherland. He had been ruling Rome for thirty years. He wept.

On 4th February 1794, the French National Convention abolished slavery throughout all territories of the First Republic — a revolutionary act that would shape colonial policy for generations.

On 3 February 1488, Bartolomeu Dias landed at Mossel Bay after rounding the Cape of Good Hope. Twenty-one years later to the day, Portuguese cannon settled who would rule the Indian Ocean.

On 2 February 1626, Charles I was crowned at Westminster Abbey. His reign ended on a scaffold — and began the slow, violent invention of parliamentary democracy.

On 1 February 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini flew home from Paris and Iran changed for ever. Forty-seven years later, the regime he built is under more pressure than at any point since. It may not matter.

On 31 January 1606, four men - including Guy Fawkes - were dragged on hurdles from the Tower of London to Old Palace Yard, opposite the building they had tried to blow up, and hanged, drawn, and quartered. The famous date is 5 November. The decisive one is this one.