Historical Events:
The world celebrates Valentine’s Day
• 2013: Oscar Pistorius, a South African amputee sprint runner, is charged with the murder of Reeva Steenkamp.
• 1933: Hertzog and Smuts to form a coalition.
• 1994: Zulu King Zwelithini threatens to establish a separate Zulu state.
• 1961: South Africa’s currency is decimalised three years after approval by parliament.
• 1988: In response to a question in parliament, the minister of education and development aid, Dr Gerrit Viljoen, said that 917 schools, including 662 primary and 255 secondary schools, were affected by boycotts in 1988.
• 1998: Ex-President F.W. De Klerk announces that his marriage of 39 years to Marike is on the rocks.
• 1996: President Mandela issues an invitation to Libyan leader Col. M. al Kadhaffi. The National Party considers this could jeopardize South Africa’s relations with the United States.
• 1971: Richard Nixon installs secret taping system in White House.
Arts, Music, TV:
• 1926: King Faud is offered $10 million by John D. Rockerfeller for a museum in Egypt.
• 1967: Aretha Franklin records "Respect".
• 1982: "Night of 100 Stars" takes place at NY’s Radio City Music Hall.
• 1990: Alan Ayckbourn’s "Man of the Moment," premieres in London.
• 1991: "The Silence of the Lambs", starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, is released.
• 2003: Ahmadou Kourouma, Ivorian novelist dies in France.
Sports:
• 1951: Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Jake LaMotta & takes middleweight title.
• 1954: Beverly Hanson wins LPGA St Petersburg Golf Open.
• 1957: Georgia Senate unanimously approves Sen Leon Butts’ bill barring blacks from playing baseball with whites.
• 1966: Wilt Chamberlain breaks NBA career scoring record at 20,884 points.
• 1988: 49th PGA Seniors Golf Championship: Gary Player
• 1992: Kieren John Perkins swims world record 800m freestyle (7:46.60).
Source: historyorb.com & sahistory.org.com
Compiled by: Thandi Xaba
