On this day

4 February in history.

5 moments from 1789 to 2004: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

2004

Facebook starts in a dorm room. Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg and his friends launched a website for fellow students to find each other. It grew into Facebook, one of the most used websites on Earth.

Photo: The White House / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

1789
Every elector picks Washington
Electors from the new states cast their votes for the first US president. Every single one of them named George Washington, the only president ever chosen unanimously.
Wikipedia: George Washington Wikipedia: 1788–89 United States presidential election
Photo: Gilbert Stuart / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1794
France votes to end slavery
The French parliament abolished slavery in all French territories. Napoleon later brought it back in some colonies, and it was ended for good in 1848.
Wikipedia: End of slavery in France Wikipedia: French First Republic
Photo: Original: Unknown Vector: SKopp / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1859
An ancient Bible is found in a monastery
Scholar Constantin von Tischendorf came across the Codex Sinaiticus at Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai. Written in the 300s, it is one of the oldest near-complete Bibles.
Wikipedia: Codex Sinaiticus Wikipedia: Constantin von Tischendorf
Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1948
Sri Lanka becomes independent
Ceylon, today called Sri Lanka, became a self-governing country after about 150 years of British rule. The day is now its national day.
Wikipedia: Dominion of Ceylon Wikipedia: Sri Lanka
Photo: Original : Sri Lanka Vectorization : Zscout370, Mike Rohsopht / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.