Today is Wednesday, Feb. 18, the 49th day of 2026. There are 316 days left in the year.
Today in history:
On this day in 2001, FBI agent Robert Philip Hanssen was arrested for spying for Russia. He later pleaded guilty to espionage and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Hanssen passed away in prison in 2023.
Also on this date:
In 1885, Mark Twain’s classic novel “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was published in the U.S.
In 1930, Pluto, the dwarf planet, was discovered by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh.
In 1970, the “Chicago Seven” defendants were found not guilty of inciting riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
In 1983, the Wah Mee Massacre took place in Seattle’s Chinatown, resulting in 13 deaths.
In 1994, U.S. speedskater Dan Jansen won the gold medal in the 1,000 meters at the Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer.
In 2001, racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. tragically died in a crash during the Daytona 500.
In 2003, an arson attack on two South Korean subway trains in Daegu claimed nearly 200 lives.
In 2013, a heist at Brussels’ international airport resulted in the theft of $42 million worth of diamonds and gems.
In 2021, NASA’s rover Perseverance successfully landed on Mars for exploration.
Today’s Birthdays:
- Yoko Ono – 93
- Prue Leith – 86
- Irma Thomas – 85
- Dennis DeYoung – 79
- Cybill Shepherd – 76
- John Travolta – 72
- Vanna White – 69
- Matt Dillon – 62
- Dr. Dre – 61
- Molly Ringwald – 58
- Ike Barinholtz – 49
- Dwight Freeney – 46
- Regina Spektor – 46
- Kylie Rogers – 22
