On 20 February 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard Friendship 7, a pivotal achievement in the space race that solidified US advancements in manned spaceflight

The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened in New York on 20 February 1872, evolving into one of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions, housing an extraordinary collection that spans centuries and civilizations

On 19 February 1881, Kansas became the first US state to constitutionally prohibit the manufacture and sale of alcohol, a landmark decision that foreshadowed national Prohibition

Will Keith Kellogg, after a rift with his brother over cereal development and sugar addition, founded the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company on 19 February 1906, a move that led to the creation of the global food empire, Kellogg’s

Thomas Edison received a patent for the cylinder phonograph on 19 February 1878, revolutionising the way sound was recorded and reproduced, laying the foundation for modern audio technology

The Ukrainian Revolution erupted in Kyiv on 18 February 2014, leading to violent clashes between protesters, riot police, and unknown shooters, culminating in the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych after five days of turmoil

On 18 February 1885, Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in the US, revolutionising American literature with its vivid vernacular, biting satire, and profound social critique

On 18 February 1519, Hernán Cortés set sail from Cuba with 11 ships and 500 men, beginning the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire

On 17 February 1972, the British Parliament voted in favour of joining the European Common Market, a landmark decision that reshaped the UK's economic and political relationship with Europe

Scientists announced the discovery of Zealandia, a mostly submerged continent in the South Pacific, meeting all geological criteria for continental status and reshaping Earth's geographical understanding

The Treaty of Adrianople on 17 February 1568 ended the war between the Habsburgs and the Ottomans, affirming Ottoman dominance in Hungary and imposing an annual tribute on the Habsburgs in exchange for peace

On 16 February 1959, Fidel Castro assumed the role of Cuba’s Prime Minister after overthrowing Batista, initiating radical political and economic reforms that would define the nation's trajectory for decades

On 16 February 1923, Howard Carter opened the inner burial chamber of Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb, unveiling his sarcophagus and one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in history

The earliest known cheque, written on 16 February 1659 for £400 by Nicholas Vanacker, marked a pivotal shift in financial transactions and is now displayed at Westminster Abbey

On 14 February 1971, President Nixon secretly installed a taping system in the White House, a decision that would later contribute to his downfall in the Watergate scandal

On 14 February 1931, Dracula starring Bela Lugosi was released, establishing the vampire as a cinematic legend and ushering in a golden age of horror films