This Month In YesterYear History - February

 

In "This Month in YesterYear History," we look back at the big pop culture moments from 

20 (2006), 25 (2001), 30 (1996), and 35 (1991) years ago!   

Now featuring 35 years ago!  Because I'm a completist and want to cover the whole year, you can go back to last month's "This Month" article from January 2026, where I've added information on January 1991.

Below, you'll find a little time capsule of what was significant during this month in history.  Hopefully, as you read these brief recaps of the past, you'll remember the who, when, and where of some long-tucked-away memories!  That's the whole point of this site! 

POINTS OF REFERENCE

2006:   Ben Bernanke becomes chairman of the Federal Reserve on the 1st, following the tenure of Alan Greenspan.  On the 5th, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 at Super Bowl XL at Ford Field in Detroit, MI.  On the 9th, Al Michaels was announced as John Madden's new cohost on NBC's "Sunday Night Football."  On the 10th, the Winter Olympic Games open in Turin, Italy, with Luciano Pavarotti singing "Nessun dorma" in what becomes his last ever performance.  On the 11th, US Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shoots Harry Whittington while on a quail hunt in Texas.  On the 12th, a powerful winter storm blankets the Northeastern United States in 1 to 2 feet of snow from Washington, D.C. up to Boston.  The storm dumped a record 26.9 inches of snow in New York City, resulting in a news clip my wife and I still quote.  A "woman on the street" interview resulted in a woman saying, "You know, I don't know..."  when asked about the weather.  The NFC defeats the AFC 23-17 at the NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu on the 12th.  The final MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) is decommissioned on the 17th.  On the 19th, Jimmie Johnson won the Daytona 500.  On February 26th, the Winter Olympics come to a close.

2001:  On the 4th, the NHL All-Star Game is played in Denver at the Pepsi Center, where North America defeats the World 14-12.  Meanwhile, in Honolulu, the NFL Pro Bowl is played at Aloha Stadium, with the AFC defeating the NFC 38-17.  On the 12th, Brooks and Dunn release their single "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You."  A 6.6 earthquake kills over 600 in El Salvador on the 13th.  On the 15th, the first draft of the Human Genome Project was published in the journal Nature."  On the 18th, Michael Waltrip wins the Daytona 500, but nobody even remembers because on the last lap, arguably the most popular driver ever, Dale Earnhardt, dies in a tragic accident.  The next day, FBI agent Robert Hanssen is arrested for spying for Russia.  He is found guilty and sent to prison for life, where he eventually dies.  "Gladiator" wins best film at the British Film Awards on the 25th.  On the 28th, a 6.8 earthquake hit the Nisqually Valley near Seattle.  On the 28th, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced it intends to implement tighter restrictions on sulfur content in diesel fuel.  The rule is opposed by many in the refining industry.

1996:  On the 1st, the US Congress passed the Communications Decency Act (CDA) of 1996, which was Congress's first attempt to regulate indecent material online.  It was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1997, but Section 230 remains, granting immunity to online platforms from liability for most user-generated content.  On the 4th, the NFL Pro Bowl was held at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, and the AFC defeated the NFC 20-13.  On the 6th, Neil Diamond's 23rd studio album, "Tennessee Moon," was released.  The same day, Tupac Shakur was sentenced to up to 4.5 years for sexual assault.  He died in September of this year.  The city of Cleveland and the NFL allowed Art Modell to move the Browns to Baltimore, but he was forced to leave the Browns' name, colors, and logo behind for a new expansion team.  His team changes its name to the Ravens.  On the 10th, IBM's chess-playing computer Deep Blue became the first computer to win a game of chess against a reigning human chess champion, Garry Kasparov.  On the 13th, the British boy band "Take That" announces its disbanding, prompting the UK government to set up counseling hotlines for distraught teens.  On the same day, Howard Stern announces the production of his film, "Private Parts."  Bill Bellichek is fired as head coach of the (soon to be former) Cleveland Browns on the 15th.  Dale Jarrett wins his second Daytona 500 on the 18th, just ahead of Dale Earnhardt and Ken Schrader.  On the 23rd, "Trainspotting," starring Ewan McGregor, debuts in the US.  On the 27th, Adam Sandler founded "Happy Madison Productions."  On the 28th, Alanis Morrisette wins at the Grammys for "Jagged Little Pill."  

1991:  On the 1st, an earthquake kills over 1,200 people in Afghanistan and Iraq.  On the 2nd, author John Grisham publishes his famed novel "The Firm."  Singer Sting hits #1 for the second time with his album "The Soul Cages," which was released on the 2nd.  The cost of a stamp in the United States was raised from 25 cents to 29 cents on the 3rd.  Also on the 3rd, the NFL Pro Bowl is held in Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.  The AFC defeated the NFC 23-21, and the MVP was Jim Kelly of the Buffalo Bills.  On the 4th, Alex Trebek made television history when he became the first person to host three game shows at the same time (Jeopardy, Classic Concentration, and To Tell the Truth).  On the same day, Pete Rose was officially banned from baseball for gambling on baseball.  On the 5th, Howard Stern kisses NFL New York Giants Leonard Marshall's literal rear end over a bet claiming the Giants would lose in the Super Bowl.  On the 7th, Bob Knight, Larry O'Brien, Tiny Archibald, Dave Cowens, Harry Gallatin, and Larry Fleisher were elected to the NBA Hall of Fame.  On the 8th, Roger Clemens signs a (then) record $5,380,250-per-year contract with the Red Sox.  On the 9th, Terry Norris knocks down boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard twice to win the match and defend his WBC Super Welterweight title.  On the 10th, Lithuania votes for independence from the USSR.  On the 13th, the US bombs an Iraqi air raid shelter, killing over 300.  On the 14th, The Silence of the Lambs debuts, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster.  Tonya Harding won a US women's figure skating championship on the 16th, three years before she paid someone to attack Nancy Kerrigan.  Ernie Irvin wins the Daytona 500 on the 17th.  Todd Eldridge wins the men's figure skating championship on the 17th.  On the 18th, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Grant Fuhr returns to the league after a year long suspension for substance abuse and shuts out the Devils in his first game back 4-0.  On the 21st, the USSR announces that Iraq has agreed to end the Gulf War, but the United States determines that the agreement is unacceptable.  The film "The Doors," starring Val Kilmer and Meg Ryan, premieres on the 23rd.  On the 23rd, President George H.W. Bush gave Iraq 24 hours to withdraw from Kuwait or face a ground assault.  On the 24th, American forces launched Operation Desert Sable as a ground invasion of Southern Iraq and Kuwait.  On the 25th, Businessman Bruce McNall, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and actor John Candy bought the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.  On the 28th, the New York Yankees named Don Mattingly the franchise's 10th Captain.  

TOP MOVIES

2006: "The Pink Panther" - 

The Pink Panther is a comedy-mystery film directed by Shawn Levy and serves as a reboot of the classic Pink Panther franchise.  The screenplay was co-written by Len Blum and Steve Martin (who also stars as the lead), with music incorporating Henry Mancini's iconic theme alongside new compositions by Christophe Beck. 

Steve Martin plays the bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau, supported by Kevin Kline as Chief Inspector Dreyfus, Jean Reno as Gendarme Ponton, Emily Mortimer as Nicole Durant, Henry Czerny as Yuri, and Beyoncé Knowles as pop star Xania.  The plot centers on the high-profile murder of French soccer coach Yves Gluant (Jason Statham, uncredited) during a match, where he is killed by a poisoned dart and his priceless Pink Panther diamond ring is stolen.  Ambitious Dreyfus assigns the incompetent Clouseau to the case to divert media attention, expecting him to fail.  Clouseau, teamed with the capable Ponton, bungles investigations involving suspects such as Xania and a Russian trainer, leading to chaotic mishaps, disguises, and slapstick antics.  Ultimately, Clouseau's accidental deductions uncover the killer and recover the diamond, earning him unexpected acclaim.

Critically, the film received mostly negative reviews, with a 21% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.  The consensus noted that while Steve Martin was enthusiastic, he didn't fully capture the essence of Clouseau from the Peter Sellers originals; critics often called it middling, lazy, or reliant on forced gags. 

The film was a commercial success, grossing $164.1 million worldwide against an $80 million budget.  The original, much raunchier cut was edited heavily and toned down for family-friendliness after Sony's intervention, delaying the release from 2005 to February 2006.  It spawned a sequel in 2009, though it received even harsher reviews.

2001: "Hannibal" -  

Hannibal is a horror-thriller film directed by Ridley Scott and was a direct sequel to the 1991 Oscar-winning The Silence of the Lambs.  The screenplay was co-written by David Mamet and Steven Zaillian, based on Thomas Harris's novel.  Anthony Hopkins reprises his iconic role as the cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, while Julianne Moore steps in as FBI Agent Clarice Starling (replacing Jodie Foster, who declined due to story concerns).  The supporting cast includes Gary Oldman (heavily made-up as the disfigured Mason Verger), Ray Liotta as corrupt official Paul Krendler, and Giancarlo Giannini as Inspector Pazzi. 

The plot, set ten years after Lecter's escape, follows the sophisticated killer living in exile in Florence, Italy, as he attempts to reconnect with the now-disgraced Clarice Starling.  Meanwhile, Mason Verger (Lecter's only surviving victim), who is horribly scarred and seeking brutal revenge, manipulates events to lure Lecter out using Starling as bait.  The story unfolds with tense cat-and-mouse pursuits, corrupt dealings, and gruesome set pieces, including a notorious dinner scene.

Critically, Hannibal received mixed-to-negative reviews, holding a 39% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.  Praise focused on Hopkins' chilling performance, Oldman's unrecognizable villainy, Scott's stylish visuals, and the film's bold gore, but many critics found it inferior to The Silence of the Lambs.

The film was a major commercial hit, grossing $351.6 million worldwide against an $87 million budget (becoming the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2001), with a massive $58 million opening weekend that set records.

1996: "Broken Arrow" -  

Broken Arrow is an action film directed by Hong Kong action maestro John Woo (known for films like Hard Target and Face/Off).  It stars John Travolta as the villainous Major Vic "Deak" Deakins, Christian Slater as the heroic Captain Riley Hale, and Samantha Mathis as park ranger Terry Carmichael.  Supporting roles include Delroy Lindo as a colonel, Bob Gunton, Frank Whaley, and NFL star Howie Long in his film debut as a henchman. 

The plot follows Air Force pilots Deakins and Hale on a test flight of a stealth bomber carrying two live nuclear warheads.  Deakins betrays Hale, attempts to kill him, and steals the bombs to sell them back to the government for blackmail money.  Hale survives the crash in the Utah desert, teams up with ranger Terry Carmichael, and races to stop Deakins amid intense chases, shootouts, and explosive set pieces.  

Critically, Broken Arrow received mixed reviews, with a 54% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.  Praise highlighted Woo's signature pyrotechnic style, Travolta's hammy yet entertaining villain performance, and the high-octane action sequences, but critics often called it formulaic, disposable, and inferior to Woo's Hong Kong work. 

The film was a solid commercial hit, grossing $150.2 million worldwide on a $50 million budget (with $70.8 million domestic), topping the North American box office for two weeks during its February 1996 release.  Travolta was initially offered the hero role but chose the villain instead.  He also earned $7 million from the film.   

1991:  "Sleeping with the Enemy" -

Sleeping with the Enemy is a psychological thriller directed by Joseph Ruben based on Nancy Price's 1987 novel of the same name.  Julia Roberts stars as Laura Burney (who later assumes the identity Sara Waters), in one of her early post-Pretty Woman roles.  Patrick Bergin plays the menacing, abusive husband Martin Burney, with Kevin Anderson as the kind drama teacher Ben Woodward, while Elizabeth Lawrence plays Laura's mother.  

The plot follows Laura, a young woman trapped in a controlling and violently abusive marriage to the wealthy Martin.  After enduring physical and emotional torment, including obsessive perfectionism in their home, she fakes her own death during a stormy sailing accident (revealing she can swim, contrary to what Martin believes).  She escapes to a quiet small town in Iowa.  There, she starts a new life, reconnects with her ailing mother, and begins a gentle romance with neighbor Ben.  However, Martin discovers the deception and obsessively tracks her down, culminating in a tense cat-and-mouse chase and confrontation.

Critically, the film received generally negative to mixed reviews, holding a 24% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.  Critics often dismissed it as formulaic, predictable, and akin to a Lifetime movie slightly elevated by Roberts' star power.  The film was a major commercial success, grossing $175 million worldwide (over $101 million domestic) on a modest $19 million budget, becoming one of the top earners of 1991 and capitalizing on Julia Roberts' massive post-Pretty Woman popularity. 

Several notable facts exist about the film.  Roberts became the youngest actress to earn a seven-figure salary for the role.  The beach house scenes were filmed in North Carolina (not Cape Cod), and some Iowa locations were filmed in South Carolina.  While in South Carolina, Roberts controversially called one town (Abbeville) "a living hell" and "horribly racist."  Originally, Kim Basinger was attached to star, but dropped out. 

TOP SONGS

2006:  "Grillz" by Nelly

2001:  "Independent Woman Part I" by Destiny's Child

1996:  "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

1991:  "Gonna Make You Sweat" (Everybody Dance Now) by C+C Music Factory 

TOP TELEVISION NEWS

February 2006:

5th:  After 36 years, ABC broadcasts its final National Football League game when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Seattle Seahawks 21–10 in Super Bowl XL.  NFL football will not be seen on the network for 9 years, until January 2016.

7th:  The MTV reality show that followed Blink 182's singer, Travis Barker, titled "Meet the Barkers," was canceled after 2 seasons and only 16 episodes.  

10th:   Arrested Development comes to an end on FOX after three years.   It returned to Netflix in 2013 and ran until 2019.

15th:  The sitcom "Yes, Dear," starring Anthony Clark and Mike O'Malley, comes to an end after 122 episodes and 6 seasons.

22nd:  Fox announces plans for a new network, called MyNetworkTV.  This was planned to be broadcast on UPN and WB affiliates that were not included in The CW's launch.

27th: "Monster House," the Discovery Channel series that rode the home renovation show craze, was canceled after 4 seasons and 64 episodes.  

28th:  The Bold and the Beautiful actor Jack Wagner, along with contestant Christine Denos, won $142,550 in Wheel of Fortune, setting a record for its one-episode winnings total in the show, and the second-largest winnings record since Peter Argyropolous and Deborah Cohen in 1996.  Both records were later surpassed on October 14, 2008, when Michelle Lowenstein won $1,026,080.

February 2001:  

3rd:  Vince McMahon's XFL debuts on NBC. 

    

        Power Rangers:  Time Force debuts on Fox Kids.  It lasted one season and 40 episodes.  A film was planned, but the bloom was off the Power Rangers rose, especially after the commercial failure of the movie Power Rangers: Turbo.

5th:  Kelly Ripa becomes the official, full-time cohost of Live!  with Regis Philbin.  She replaced Kathy Lee Gifford, who had cohosted the show from June 1985 to July 2000.  

18th:  FOX broadcasts its first NASCAR race, the Daytona 500.  Dale Earnhardt passed away in a final lap accident.  

27th:  The Andy Dick Show debuts on MTV.  It ran for 21 episodes across three seasons.

February 1996:

1st:  The Dave Coulier-hosted World's Funniest Videos debuts on ABC as a failed global take on Coulier's Full House co-star Bob Saget's America's Funniest Home Videos.  It only lasts about 6 months.

3rd: Nickelodeon's Are You Afraid of the Dark? was canceled but returned briefly in 1999.

           Dumb and Dumber, the Hanna-Barbera animated cartoon (based on the Jim Carey film) that aired on ABC Saturday mornings, was canceled after 13 episodes.

17th:  Fred Rogers makes a guest appearance on the CBS western drama Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.  This is notably the only time that Rogers portrayed a fictional character on television.

20th:  The docu-series, VH1 Storytellers, debuts on VH1.  It ran for 98 episodes and ended in 2015, when VH1 was rebranded away from music and toward syndicated and reality television.  

21st:  VR Troopers, a show very "similar" to the Power Rangers, is cancelled after 2 years.

28th:  Paxson Communications purchases ABC affiliate WAKC-TV in Akron, Ohio, for $40 million.  Hours after the sale closed, Paxon president Dean Goodman arrived at the station and told the staff, "The news ceases at this moment," then fired the entire news department and all station management.  Akron became the largest city in the United States without a commercial television newscast.  

February 1991:

1st: "Welcome Freshman" debuts on Nickelodeon.  I was only 6 or 7, but I remember being really enamored by this program.  I doubt I had any clue what was happening.

7th:  NBC broadcast an episode of L.A. Law featuring the first in a series of "lesbian kiss episodes," in which a lesbian or bisexual character kisses a female identified as a heterosexual. 

9th:  Tim Meadows and Adam Sandler join the cast of NBC's Saturday Night Live.  Sandler leaves the show in 1995, while Meadows remains until 2000.

            "Pete and Pete," the iconic Nickelodeon show, debuts.

22nd:  Deborah Norville co-anchors NBC's The Today Show for the final time after going on maternity leave.  While on leave, she is replaced by Katie Couric, who stays as a Today anchor for 15 years.

            Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears was canceled after 6 seasons.  It had one banger of a theme song!