Major Events of February 2006: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from February 2006 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of February 2006: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Feb 2006 Muhammad Cartoons Controversy: The international controversy surrounding the Muhammad cartoons escalated as newspapers in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain deliberately republished the controversial images, defying widespread Muslim protests and tensions.
- 02 Feb 2006 Leaked Bush-Blair Iraq War Conversation Documents: Confidential documents revealed a controversial 2003 conversation between U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, suggesting premeditated plans to initiate military action in Iraq without UN authorization, potentially using provocative intelligence gathering tactics.
- 03 Feb 2006 Torino Winter Olympics Opening: The 2006 Winter Olympics commenced in Torino, Italy, featuring athletes from 80 countries competing across 15 different sports, symbolizing international athletic cooperation.
- 04 Feb 2006 Iran's Nuclear Program Referred to UN Security Council: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors voted 27-to-8 to refer Iran's nuclear program to the United Nations Security Council. This decision was prompted by Iran's refusal to allow IAEA inspections and its intentions to enrich nuclear material, escalating international tensions.
- 05 Feb 2006 Askariya Shrine Attack in Iraq: A terrorist attack destroyed the golden dome of the Askariya Shrine in Samarra, a highly revered Shiite religious site, causing significant religious and cultural trauma.
- 06 Feb 2006 Stephen Harper Sworn In as Prime Minister: Stephen Harper is officially sworn in as Canada's 22nd Prime Minister. In a notable political move, David Emerson crosses the floor from the Liberal Party to join the Conservatives and is appointed Minister of International Trade. Harper also appoints Michael Fortier, an unelected party supporter, as minister of public works and to the Senate.
- 07 Feb 2006 Danish PM Declares Global Cartoon Crisis: Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen characterized the violent Muslim protests over Muhammad cartoons as a global crisis beyond governmental control.
- 08 Feb 2006 Congressional Inquiry into NSA Wiretapping: Congresswoman Heather Wilson, a Republican from New Mexico with NSA oversight responsibilities, became the first in her party to call for a congressional investigation into President Bush's controversial warrantless wiretapping program.
- 09 Feb 2006 Scooter Libby Testifies in CIA Leak Investigation: I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, testified before federal grand juries about providing classified information to reporters, relating to the controversial intelligence used to justify the Iraq War invasion.
- 10 Feb 2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony with Pavarotti: The XX Winter Olympic Games opened in Turin, Italy, with a memorable performance by legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who sang 'Nessun dorma' in what would be his final Olympic performance.
- 11 Feb 2006 White House Knew About Katrina Flooding: Revelations emerged that the White House was aware of the extensive flooding in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. Michael Brown, former FEMA head, testified to a Senate Committee that he had informed the White House about the situation's severity before media coverage.
- 12 Feb 2006 US Military Considers Iran Bombing Option: US military strategists reportedly discussed a potential bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear facilities as a last resort if diplomatic efforts fail to address concerns about Iran's nuclear program.
- 13 Feb 2006 Saddam Hussein Attends Trial Session: Saddam Hussein was compelled to attend a trial session, wearing a traditional Islamic robe instead of his usual suit. During the proceedings, he vocally protested by shouting "Down with Bush!", demonstrating his defiant attitude.
- 14 Feb 2006 Iran Resumes Nuclear Enrichment: According to a top Iranian official, Iran resumed small-scale uranium enrichment at its main nuclear facilities the previous Wednesday, escalating international tensions surrounding its nuclear program.
- 15 Feb 2006 SBS Broadcasts New Abu Ghraib Torture Evidence: Australian television network SBS broadcast previously unpublished video and photographic evidence of prisoner abuse by US military personnel at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, reigniting international controversy surrounding the 2003 human rights violations.
- 16 Feb 2006 UN Condemns Camp Delta Human Rights Violations: A United Nations report strongly criticizes Camp Delta's continued operation, citing multiple human rights violations and calling for immediate charges or release of prisoners.
- 17 Feb 2006 Joseph Kony Escapes Assassination Attempt: Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, narrowly survived an assassination attempt by Ugandan troops in Sudan. He escaped to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with several of his bodyguards being shot during the incident.
- 18 Feb 2006 Muhammad Cartoons Controversy Escalates: The Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy intensified with Italian reform minister Roberto Calderoli resigning after wearing a provocative T-shirt. Violent protests erupted in Libya and Nigeria, resulting in at least 26 deaths, including 10 at the Italian consulate in Benghazi and 16 in northern Nigeria where Christian churches and businesses were attacked.
- 19 Feb 2006 Hamas Leader Becomes Palestinian Prime Minister: Ismail Haniya of Hamas officially becomes the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, succeeding Ahmed Qurei and marking a significant political transition in Palestinian governance.
- 20 Feb 2006 Osama Bin Laden's Defiant Audio Message: In an audiotape posted to a militant website, Osama Bin Laden made a provocative statement, vowing that he would never be captured alive, further emphasizing his resistance to international counterterrorism efforts.
- 21 Feb 2006 Ratko Mladic Arrest Rumors Emerge: Belgrade's Studio B TV reported the potential arrest of former Bosnian Serb Army general Ratko Mladic, who is wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia for his role in the Srebrenica massacre of 8,000 boys and men in 1995. Serbian officials denied the report, calling it government-damaging manipulation.
- 22 Feb 2006 Al Askari Mosque Bombing: A devastating bomb attack severely damaged the Al Askari Mosque, a significant Shiite holy site in Samarra, Iraq. This event significantly escalated sectarian tensions and contributed to the ongoing Iraqi conflict.
- 23 Feb 2006 Al Askari Mosque Bombing Aftermath: Following the bombing of the Al Askari Mosque, Iraq experienced severe sectarian violence, with over 100 people killed and 47 factory workers forced to flee their homes, underscoring the deep-rooted tensions in the region.
- 24 Feb 2006 Muhammad Cartoon Controversy: Jussi Vilkuna, editor of Finnish publication Kaltio, was fired for refusing to remove a controversial Muhammad cartoon depicting a westerner with a masked Muhammad and Finnish politicians burning Danish flags, further escalating the international Jyllands-Posten cartoon controversy.
- 25 Feb 2006 Global Population Milestone: The world's estimated population reaches 6.5 billion, marking a significant demographic milestone in human history.
- 26 Feb 2006 Al Askari Mosque Bombing: Warning of Civil War: The International Crisis Group issued a critical warning about the potential for civil war in Iraq following the devastating Al Askari Mosque Bombing, which resulted in at least 250 deaths and heightened sectarian tensions.
- 27 Feb 2006 Facebook Opens to Public: Facebook expanded its platform, allowing public registration and marking a significant milestone in social media's global expansion.
- 28 Feb 2006 Al Askari Mosque Bombing in Baghdad: A devastating bombing at the Al Askari Mosque in Baghdad, Iraq, resulted in widespread violence. Sixty-eight people were initially reported killed, with the death toll later escalating to over 1,300. The incident heightened fears of potential civil war in Iraq, marking a critical moment in the country's post-invasion instability.