February 7: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Alcohol poisoning killed 144 people in the states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, India.

Forty-two people died quickly after consuming the illegal drink, and over the following days, more people were admitted to local hospitals.

It was announced that citrus fruit originated in the Himalayas millions of years ago.

Climate change created the ideal environment for citrus to travel to other parts of the world, according to the research of 60 types of citrus fruits.

North Korea launched the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 reconnaissance satellite atop an Unha rocket.

The international community largely condemned the launch, as the Unha rocket is the satellite-launch version of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Claims were made that the satellite launch was an excuse to test said missile, which North Korea denied. The satellite passes over North Korea four times a day. While the hermit nation claims it is fully operational, international experts have not found any evidence to support this claim.

173 people died in Victoria, Australia, during the Black Saturday bushfires.

The series of fires had already begun to pop around the state over the previous days but flared up into a wild state on Black Saturday. As a result, countless people lost their homes, livestock, and livelihoods in what is known as the worst bushfire in white Australian history.

New York, New York became the official anthem of New York City.

Frank Sinatra's famous version of the song was enjoyed by Mayor Ed Koch, who named it the official anthem. Liza Minnelli first performed the song in the 1977 film "New York, New York."

A boy born without an immune system, David Vetter, left his bubble isolation for the first time, aged 12, and touched his mother for the first time.

After more than three hundred years of colonial rule, Grenada gained its independence from the UK.

Grenada had slowly been working towards independence, a movement that picked up steam in the 1950s. When it finally did, it chose to stay within the Commonwealth and retain Queen Elizabeth II as the new nation's queen. Grenada's first Prime Minister was Eric Gairy, who played a significant role in leading the country to independence.

Beatlemania arrived in the United States when the Beatles landed in New York.

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison boarded Pan Am Flight 101 from London, UK.

Jane Fonda starts her acting career with “A String of Beads” on NBC.

The New York Times published a government message that the US would be rationing shoes.

The rationing would commence February 9 and was the result of a short supply of leather and rubber. Americans had to have a special coupon to buy a new pair of shoes, and only three a year were allowed.

Walt Disney released their second feature-length movie, “Pinocchio,” in New York City.

A glass treasure vase that dated back to between 1 – 25 AD was smashed by a drunk man.

The Portland Vase was smashed by William Lloyd, who then had two options, he could pay £3 (£373 in today's money) or go to prison for two months. He went to jail but was released shortly after, when an anonymous person paid his fine.

The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified.

The Eleventh Amendment restricts the ability of individuals to bring suit against states in federal court.