THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

30 January, 1945 – 9,400 people die in the deadliest maritime disaster in history

The “Wilhelm Gustloff” was sunk by a Soviet submarine during World War II.


31 January, 2000 – Alaska Airlines flight 261 crashes into the sea

The MD-83 experienced horizontal stabiliser problems before descending into the Pacific Ocean, killing all 88 people on board.


01 February, 1960 – Four black students start the Greensboro sit-ins

Their refusal to leave a “whites only” lunch counter was a milestone in the fight against racial segregation in the United States.


02 February, 1943 – The Battle of Stalingrad comes to an end as the Axis Powers surrender

Germany's defeat marked a turning point in World War II.


03 February, 1966 – Luna 9 touches down on the Moon

The unmanned Soviet spacecraft was the first to achieve a soft landing there.


04 February, 2004 – Facebook is founded

The social networking service currently has over 1 billion active users.


05 February, 1869 – The biggest gold nugget in history is found

The “Welcome Stranger” was found at Moliagul in Australia and had a calculated refined weight of 71.081 kg.

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