TODAY IN HISTORY

FEBRUARY 19

1674

The Netherlands and England signed the Peace of Westminster, by which New Amsterdam passed to the English (and was renamed New York).

1807

Aaron Burr, vice president under Thomas Jefferson, was arrested for treason. He was later acquitted.

1878

Thomas Edison patented the gramophone (phonograph).

1942

President Franklin Roosevelt signed an executive order that resulted in the internment of thousands of Japanese-Americans living on the West Coast.

1945

The U.S. Marines went ashore at Iwo Jima.

1959

Britain, Turkey, and Greece signed the agreement granting Cyprus independence.

1968

The first nationwide broadcast of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood aired on PBS.

1997

Deng Xiaoping, Chinese Communist leader, died.

2008

Fidel Castro resigned as President of Cuba after 49 years in power. Raúl Castro, Fidel's brother, succeeded him as president.