What Happened on February 4?

February 4 is World Cancer Day, when the whole world teams up against cancer. It is also Rosa Parks' birthday and the day Snow White charmed movie audiences!

• 1789 — George Washington unanimously elected first U.S. president

  On February 4, 1789, every one of the 69 electors voted for George Washington, making him the only president ever chosen by a completely unanimous Electoral College. Read the full story →

• 1932 — Third Winter Olympics open in Lake Placid, New York

  On February 4, 1932, New York's little village of Lake Placid welcomed the Winter Olympics to America for the first time — with speed skater Irving Jaffee winning double gold. Read the full story →

• 1938 — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs releases as Hollywood's first big animated film

  Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs opened wide on February 4, 1938 — the first full-length animated feature from Hollywood — and became the highest-grossing film of its time. Read the full story →

• 1945 — Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin plan peace at the Yalta Conference

  With World War II almost over, President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and Soviet leader Stalin met on February 4, 1945, at Yalta to decide what Europe would look like after victory. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Rosa Parks (1913–2005) · Charles Lindbergh (1902–1974)

Days & observances

World Cancer Day · Rosa Parks Day (California and Missouri) · Independence Day (Sri Lanka) · International Day of Human Fraternity