What happened on February 4

45 documented historical events happened on February 4, from antiquity to the present day. The best known is this: Emperor Taizu (pictured) came to power, initiating the Song dynasty of China that eventually lasted for more than three centuries. On the same day, in another year: A strong earthquake struck the eastern coast of Sicily, causing at least 15,000 deaths. On Almanaccolo every event is listed in chronological order, grouped by century, and links to the Wikipedia article it comes from, so you can always read further or check the source. Alongside the events you find who was born and who died on this date, and which observances are celebrated around the world.

160 people with a Wikipedia article were born on February 4, including Lodovico Lazzarelli, Francesco II Sforza, Jean Parisot de Valette. The list spans every era and every field — art, science, politics, sport, entertainment — ordered by year of birth, from the earliest to the most recent. The six featured people are those most has been written about: the ordering uses the length of their Wikipedia article as an indicator of prominence. For each one you find their occupation, year of birth and a link to the full biography.

82 people with a Wikipedia article died on February 4, including Septimius Severus, Rabanus Maurus, Antonio del Pollaiuolo. The list is in chronological order by year of death and spans all of documented history, from antiquity to the present day. For each person you find their occupation, the year and a link to the Wikipedia biography, where the full story and its sources can be read.

14 observances are celebrated on February 4 around the world: Christian feast day: Andrew Corsini, Christian feast day: Eduardo Francisco Pironio, Christian feast day: Gilbert of Sempringham, Christian feast day: John de Brito, Christian feast day: Goldrofe of Arganil, Christian feast day: Blessed Rabanus Maurus. The list gathers national holidays, international days and religious or civil observances falling on this date in different countries, as recorded on Wikipedia. Some are fixed and recur on the same day every year; others depend on the local calendar. Each links to the article explaining its origin and meaning.