MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2011

Today is Monday, February 21, the 52nd day of 2011. There are 313 days left in the year.

1431 ― England begins trial against Joan of Arc

1795 ― Freedom of worship established in France under constitution

1804 ― First locomotive, Richard Trevithick's, runs for first time, in Wales

1878 ― First telephone directory (with 50 names) issued (New Haven, Conn.)

1882 ― NYC's 24 hour race begins, winner with most mileage in 24 hours

1911 ― Gustav Mahler conducts his last concerto (Berceuse Music)

1947 ― First instant developing camera demonstrated in NYC, by E.H. Land

1972 ― Richard Nixon becomes first U.S. President to visit China

1988 ― During a live TV broadcast, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart (age 52) admitted to visiting a prostitute, then announced he would be leaving his ministry for an unspecified length of time

1993 ― Sergei Bubka pole vaults world record indoor (6.15 meters)