On this day in 1943, the Soviet Red Army captured 91,000 tired and starving German soldiers, ending the Battle of Stalingrad, one of the bloodiest battles in human history.
On this day in 1990, President F. W. de Klerk declared the end of apartheid in South Africa.
On this day in 2000, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, a bill aimed at strengthening military ties with Taiwan, despite warnings from Beijing and the White House.