On this day

7 February in history.

5 moments from 1914 to 2014: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Bruce McCandless II

1984

A spacewalk with no rope. Astronaut Bruce McCandless flew away from the Space Shuttle Challenger using a jet-powered backpack, with no line holding him to the ship. It was the first untethered spacewalk.

Wikipedia: Bruce McCandless II

Photo: NASA / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 7 February

  1. Charlie Chaplin The Tramp debuted in 1914 -- pre-1928 The Tramp was released on April 11, 1915 through Essanay Studios

    1914

    The Little Tramp appears

    Charlie Chaplin's famous character, with his bowler hat, cane and baggy trousers, was first seen by audiences in the short film Kid Auto Races at Venice.

    Wikipedia: The TrampWikipedia: Kid Auto Races at Venice

    Photo: P.D Jankens / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Publicity photo of Walt Disney from the Boy Scouts of America. Disney was given an award by them in 1946

    1940

    Pinocchio comes to cinemas

    Walt Disney's second feature-length cartoon had its premiere in New York. Its music later earned it an Oscar, a first for an animated film in a competitive category.

    Wikipedia: Pinocchio (1940 film)

    Photo: Boy Scouts of America / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. The Beatles 1963 publicity photo used on the cover of I Want to Hold Your Hand

    1964

    The Beatles arrive in America

    Thousands of screaming fans greeted the four young musicians from Liverpool at New York's newly renamed Kennedy airport.

    Wikipedia: The BeatlesWikipedia: John F. Kennedy International Airport

    Photo: Dezo Hoffmann, Distributed by Capitol Records / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Happisburgh footprints

    2014

    Ancient footprints on an English beach

    Researchers announced footprints found in mud at Happisburgh in Norfolk. Made more than 800,000 years ago, they are the oldest human-like footprints known outside Africa.

    Wikipedia: Happisburgh footprints

    Photo: Martin Bates / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

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