Today in History: February 21, Figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi wins gold for the US

"In 1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published The Communist Manifesto in London. In 1885, President Chester Arthur dedicated the Washington Monument. In 1911, composer Gustav Mahler, despite a fever, conducted the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall in what turned out to be his final concert. (He died the following May.) In 1916, the Battle of Verdun, the longest battle of World War I, began in northeastern France."

"In 1965, civil rights activist Malcolm X, 39, was shot to death inside Harlem's Audubon Ballroom in New York. Three men identified as members of the Nation of Islam were convicted of murder and imprisoned; all were eventually paroled. (The convictions of two of the men were dismissed in November 2021, when prosecutors said new evidence had undermined the case against them.) In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon began a historic visit to China, where he met with Chinese leader Mao Zedong."

Several notable events fall on Feb. 21. On Feb. 21, 1992 Kristi Yamaguchi won the gold medal in women's figure skating at the Albertville Winter Olympics. In 1848 Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published The Communist Manifesto in London. In 1885 President Chester Arthur dedicated the Washington Monument. In 1911 Gustav Mahler conducted his final concert with the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. In 1965 Malcolm X was assassinated in Harlem. In 1972 President Nixon visited China and met Mao Zedong. In 1995 Steve Fossett completed the first solo balloon flight across the Pacific.

Read at www.mercurynews.com