The Old Farmer's Almanac daily calendar gives you quick reference for the significant events on any day throughout the year.

Every Year

• National Freedom Day (United States)

• Month of February

1700s

• 1709: Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor, was found on an island where he had been stranded for over 4 years. His experience was the basis for Daniel DeFoe's novel, "Robinson Crusoe"

1790s

• 1791: First U.S. dental dispensary opened, New York City

1800s

• Born 1801: Thomas Cole (painter)

1840s

• 1840: The first dental college was incorporated, Baltimore, Maryland

1850s

• Died 1851: Mary Shelley (author)

• Born 1859: Victor Herbert (cellist)

1860s

• 1861: Texas seceded from the Union

• 1862: "Battle Hymn of the Republic," a poem written by Julia Ward Howe, was published in Atlantic Monthly

1880s

• Born 1882: Louis Stephen St. Laurent (Canadian Prime Minister)

• 1884: Edition one of the "Oxford English Dictionary" was published

1890s

• 1898: First automobile insurance policy issued

1900s

• Born 1901: Clark Gable (actor)

• Born 1902: Langston Hughes (poet)

1930s

• Born 1932: John Hart (broadcast journalist)

• Born 1937: Don Everly (musician)

• Born 1938: Sherman Hemsley (actor)

1950s

• Born 1952: Rick James (singer)

1960s

• Born 1965: Princess Stéphanie of Monaco

• Born 1965: Brandon Lee (actor)

• Died 1966: Buster Keaton (actor)

• Born 1968: Lisa Marie Presley (daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley)

1980s

• 1983: Gordon Matthews received a patent for "voice message exchange" system (better known as voicemail)

• Born 1984: Lee Thompson Young (actor)

• Died 1988: Heather O'Rourke (actress)

2000s

• 2003: Space shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry, killing all seven astronauts onboard

• 2004: New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady became the youngest quarterback to lead his team to two Super Bowl victories

• 2009: During Super Bowl XLIII, Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison intercepted a pass on the goal line and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest play in Super Bowl history

2010s

• Died 2012: Don Cornelius (creator of Soul Train)

• Died 2013: Edward "Ed" Koch (former mayor of New York City)