On This Day – February 2

• 1990 The South African Apartheid system of racial segregation begins to disintegrate

  President de Klerk announced the unbanning of the African Nation Congress (ANC) and his intentions to release Nelson Mandela.

• 1943 The Battle of Stalingrad comes to an end as the Axis Powers surrender

  Germany’s defeat marked a turning point in World War II.

• 1925 20 mushers embark on a journey to transport medicine to Nome, Alaska, inspiring the Iditarod Race

  The Iditarod is the world’s longest and most challenging dog sled race.

• 1922 “Ulysses” by James Joyce is published

  The novel is considered one of the most important works of modernist literature.

• 1852 The first public flushing toilet is opened in London

  Using the “Public Waiting Room” at 95 Fleet Street cost 2 pence.