40 years ago (2nd Feb. 1971)
Idi Amin became President of Uganda. He had overthrown Milton Obote in a military coup the previous week.

100 years ago (6th Feb. 1911)
Birth of Ronald Reagan, American actor and 40th President of the United States.

40 years ago (7th Feb. 1971)
Women in Switzerland were finally given the right to vote.

40 years ago (15th Feb. 1971)
Britain adopted the decimal currency.

150 years ago (18th Feb. 1861)
Victor Emmanuel II became the first King of a united Italy.

25 years ago (20th Feb. 1986)
The USSR launched the Mir space station.

60 years ago (26th Feb. 1951)
The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment: this limited the President to two terms in office.

20 years ago (28 Feb. 1991)
The Gulf War ended – a ceasefire came into effect at midnight.