In History, Today on February 6

Two powerful earthquakes of magnitudes 7.8 and 7.5 hit southern and central Turkey and northern Syria, causing widespread destruction and a significant loss of life, prompting worldwide relief efforts.

Queen Elizabeth II becomes the first British monarch to mark a Platinum Jubilee, celebrating 70 years on the throne, as she ascended following the death of her father, King George VI, on this date in 1952.

Heavy snowstorms in France cause record-breaking snowfall and traffic disruptions in several regions, including the Paris and Lyon areas, leading to significant travel chaos and urging emergency responses from local authorities.

The United States Senate acquitted President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, concluding the impeachment trial.

SpaceX successfully launched the Falcon Heavy rocket, the most powerful operational rocket in the world at the time, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch included a Tesla Roadster as a payload.

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck southern Taiwan, causing widespread damage and resulting in the collapse of a residential building in Tainan, leading to 117 deaths.

The Winter Olympics opening ceremony was held in Sochi, Russia, officially beginning the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

A magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck the Solomon Islands, triggering a tsunami and causing fatalities and destruction in the region.

Queen Elizabeth II marked her Diamond Jubilee, celebrating 60 years on the throne. The milestone was celebrated with various events throughout the year.

Juba student protests took place, with demonstrators clashing with security forces in Juba, South Sudan, calling for reforms and better services.

A suicide bombing on a Moscow metro train killed at least 41 people and injured over 100 others. The attack was attributed to Chechen rebels.

Tarja Halonen was elected as Finland's first female president.

Washington National Airport is renamed Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

A tanker-truck and train collision occurs in Secaucus, New Jersey, resulting in a massive blaze.

The Round Table Talks begin in Poland, marking the start of negotiations between the communist government and the opposition, leading to democratic changes.

Justice Mary Gaudron is sworn in as the first female justice to sit on the High Court of Australia.

Alan Shepard became the first American to hit a golf ball on the Moon during the Apollo 14 mission.

The Munich air disaster occurred, involving the crash of British European Airways Flight 609, which killed 23 people, including eight Manchester United footballers.

Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom following the death of her father, King George VI.

The Washington Naval Treaty was signed, limiting naval construction and aiming to prevent an arms race after World War I.

British women over the age of 30 were granted the right to vote as the Representation of the People Act 1918 received Royal Assent.

The Spanish-American War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, in which Spain ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in New Zealand, establishing British sovereignty over the islands.

Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles founded Singapore.

Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the United States Constitution, important for its population and influence.

The Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce were signed between the United States and France during the American Revolutionary War.

King Charles II of England died, and his brother James II ascended to the throne.

The Treaty of Troyes was signed between the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of England, ending the English occupation of several regions in northern France.

The Mongol Empire, under the leadership of Batu Khan, captured and sacked the Russian city of Vladimir during the Mongol invasion of Rus'.

The Song dynasty is established in China by Emperor Taizu, marking the beginning of a period known for its advancements in technology, culture, and economics.

Pope Stephen II anointed Pepin the Short as King of the Franks, marking the first time a pope had crowned a king, which established the precedent for papal involvement in European political affairs.

The Venerable Bede begins compiling his 'Ecclesiastical History of the English People,' which would later provide a crucial source for understanding early English history and the spread of Christianity.

The death of Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland's patron saints, is traditionally commemorated on this day. She was an early Irish Christian nun, abbess, and founder of several monasteries.

The death of Julius Constantius, a prominent Roman politician and member of the Constantinian dynasty, occurred. He was the father of the future Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate.

The Roman general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo is appointed governor of the province of Asia, a significant administrative region of the Roman Empire.