On this day: February 19
POSTED: 04:31 PM PST Feb 18, 2013
UPDATED: 11:00 PM PST Feb 18, 2013
Rescuers reach the Donner Party, Edison patents the phonograph, the Soviet Union launches the Mir space station, and Fidel Castro resigns as Cuban president, all on this day.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
1940: Singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson, the founder and frontman of the popular Motown group The Miracles, who is also known for his solo work, is born William Robinson Jr. in Detroit, Mich. Robinson is best known for hits such as "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," "I Second That Emotion," "Tears of a Clown" and "The Tracks of My Tears." He's also known for writing hit singles for other singers, including "My Guy," "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "My Girl," "Don't Mess With Bill" and "Ain't that Peculiar."
