On This Day, Feb. 19: Thomas Edison patents gramophone

UPI Staff
·3 min read
Thomas Edison poses in his laboratory in Orange, N.J., on June 16, 1888, amidst his first gramophone invention. The first gramophone was patented on February 19, 1878. UPI File Photo
Thomas Edison poses in his laboratory in Orange, N.J., on June 16, 1888, amidst his first gramophone invention. The first gramophone was patented on February 19, 1878. UPI File Photo
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Feb. 19 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1878, Thomas Edison patented the first gramophone. Edison, who also invented the incandescent light bulb and motion picture camera, died in 1931.

In 1922, vaudeville star Ed Wynn became the first big name in show business to sign for a regular radio show.

In 1942, as a security measure during World War II, the U.S. government began relocating Japanese-Americans living in coastal Pacific areas to internment camps in remote areas of several states. They were allowed to return to their homes in January 1945.

In 1945, U.S. Marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima, opening one of the major battles in the Pacific during World War II.

On February 19, 2003, all 275 people aboard an Iranian military transport plane, similar to the one pictured, were killed when it crashed in a mountainous region of southeastern Iran. File Photo by Waka77/Wikimedia
On February 19, 2003, all 275 people aboard an Iranian military transport plane, similar to the one pictured, were killed when it crashed in a mountainous region of southeastern Iran. File Photo by Waka77/Wikimedia

In 1981, the United States blamed insurgency in El Salvador on communist powers arming leftist guerrillas.

In 1986, the Soviet Union launched the Mir space station. It was occupied for 10 of its 15 years in orbit.

The Iwo Jima Memorial is covered by snow in Arlington, Va., on January 28, 2007. On February 19, 1945, U.S. Marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima, opening one of the major battles in the Pacific during World War II. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
The Iwo Jima Memorial is covered by snow in Arlington, Va., on January 28, 2007. On February 19, 1945, U.S. Marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima, opening one of the major battles in the Pacific during World War II. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
File Photo courtesy of NASA
File Photo courtesy of NASA

In 1997, China's "paramount leader" Deng Xiaoping died at age 92.

A Japanese-American woman visits the National Japanese American Memorial during the dedication November 9, 2000, in Washington, D.C. The memorial is dedicated to the 120,000 Japanese Americans who were interned in camps and the 800 who died fighting during World War II. President Roosevelt signed an executive order starting the relocations on February 19, 1942. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI

In 2003, all 275 people aboard an Iranian military transport plane were killed when it crashed in a mountainous region of southeastern Iran.

In 2005, U.S. Roman Catholic officials said they received 1,092 charges of clergy sex abuse, most involving boys.

Members of the South Florida Cuban community celebrate the resignation of Cuban President Fidel Castro at Versailles Restaurant in Miami on February 19, 2008. File Photo by Chris Gordon/UPI
Members of the South Florida Cuban community celebrate the resignation of Cuban President Fidel Castro at Versailles Restaurant in Miami on February 19, 2008. File Photo by Chris Gordon/UPI

In 2008, Cuban President Fidel Castro, 81, who temporarily handed power to his brother, Raul, in July 2006, because of illness, stepped down permanently after 49 years in power. Raul, 76, then formally succeeded him.

UPI File Photo
UPI File Photo
On February 19, 1986, the Soviet Union launched the Mir space station. It was occupied for 10 of its 15 years in orbit. File Photo courtesy of NASA
On February 19, 1986, the Soviet Union launched the Mir space station. It was occupied for 10 of its 15 years in orbit. File Photo courtesy of NASA

In 2020, a gunman opened fire at multiple locations, including two bars, in Hanau, Germany, killing 10 people, then himself. Authorities said the perpetrator was a far-right extremist who targeted hookah bars frequented by Turkish-Kurdish customers.

In 2023, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the Daytona 500 in double overtime after a slew of late wrecks that pushed the race to a record 212 laps in Daytona, Fla. Former NBA player Brad Daugherty became the first Black owner to win the Daytona 500 and part-owner Jodi Geschickter became the first woman.

Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping lights up a cigarette in 1985. Deng died February 19, 1997. UPI File Photo
Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping lights up a cigarette in 1985. Deng died February 19, 1997. UPI File Photo
File Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI
File Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI