Today In HistoryToday is Wednesday, February 28, the 59th day of 2007. There are 306 days left in the year.

ON THIS DATE<$>

In 1525, Cuauhtemoc, the last Aztec emperor, is tortured and executed by Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes.

In 1594, Royal Physician Roger Loper is arrested for alleged conspiracy to poison Queen Elizabeth.

In 1653, an English fleet defeats Dutch off Portland, England.

In 1806, French forces capture Barcelona, Spain.

In 1825, Britain and Russia sign treaty covering respective rights in Pacific Ocean area.

In 1849, the ship Californi> arrives at San Francisco, carrying the first of the gold-seekers.

In 1854, some 50 slavery opponents meet in Ripon, Wisconsin, to call for creation of a new political group, which becomes the Republican Party.

In 1861, the Territory of Colorado is organised.

In 1868, Benjamin Disraeli replaces Lord Derby as Britain’s prime minister.

In 1877, Peace treaty is signed between Turkey and Serbia.

In 1911, Australia’s Premier Andrew Fisher announces plans to nationalise monopolies.

In 1920, Hungary adopts constitution.

In 1921, the Kronstadt Rebellion began in Russia when sailors of the Baltic Fleet and workers at Kronstadt naval base rose up against the Communist government.

In 1922, Britain formally declared Egypt’s independence, but retained control of the Suez Canal and the country’s defence.

In 1933, a Nazi decree suppresses civil liberties in Germany.

In 1942, Japanese forces land in Java, Indonesia.

In 1947, Taiwanese rebel against Nationalist forces moving in from mainland China. Thousands are killed in a month of fighting.

In 1951, a Senate committee headed by Estes Kefauver, a Tennessee Democrat, issues a preliminary report saying at least two major crime syndicates were operating in the United States.

In 1962, the US announces that new atomic tests will be conducted in atmosphere near Johnson Island in Pacific.

In 1974, the US and Egypt re-establish diplomatic relations after seven-year breach.

In 1975, more than 40 people are killed in London’s Underground when a subway train smashes into the end of a tunnel.

In 1986, Sweden’s Prime Minister Olof Palme is assassinated on a street in Stockholm while walking home from a movie theatre.

In 1987, Philippines President Corazon Aquino announces “full and complete amnesty” for Communist rebels who lay down their arms.

In 1990, the Soviet legislature passes a landmark law allowing citizens to acquire land and bequeath it to their children.

In 1993, four US federal agents and six members of a Christian sect are killed when authorities raid the sect headquarters in Waco, Texas. A 51-day standoff ensues, ending with the deaths of about 80 sect members in a fire.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers — Voltaire, French author-philosopher (1694-1778).