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Nude photo of Madonna is sold at auction for $37,500

A full frontal nude photo of Madonna, before she became famous, has sold at auction for $37,500 — more than double its pre-sale estimate. The black and white photo of the pop music superstar, aged 20, was acquired by an unnamed European buyer at Christie’s in New York. The picture, taken by photographer Lee Friedlander, was shot at a time when Madonna was a dancer trying to make ends meet in New York.

The Senate acquits President Clinton

The impeachment process of Bill Clinton was initiated by the House of Representatives against Bill Clinton on two charges, one of perjury and one of obstruction of justice. These charges stemmed from a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Clinton by Paula Jones. Clinton was subsequently acquitted of these charges by the Senate.

Black Sea bumping incident

The Black Sea bumping incident of 12 February 1988 occurred when American cruiser USS Yorktown tried to exercise the right of innocent passage through Soviet territorial waters in the Black Sea during the Cold War. The cruiser was bumped by the Soviet frigate Bezzavetny with the intention of pushing Yorktown into international waters. This incident also involved the destroyer USS Caron, sailing in company with USS Yorktown and claiming the right of innocent passage, which was intentionally shouldered by a Soviet Mirka-class frigate SKR-6. Yorktown reported minor damage to its hull, with no holing or risk of flooding. Caron was not damaged.

Dior launches his first fashion collection, called 'New Look'

Dior launched his first fashion collection for Spring–Summer. Originally, the two lines were named "Corolle" and "Huit". However, the new collection went down in fashion history as the "New Look" after the editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar Carmel Snow exclaimed, "It's such a New Look!"

US President Abraham Lincoln is born

Abraham Lincoln was an American statesman and lawyer who served as the 16th President of the United States. Born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, Lincoln grew up on the western frontier in Kentucky and Indiana. Largely self-educated, he became a lawyer in Illinois, a Whig Party leader, and was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives.

Maria Theresa Habsburg marries French Stefanus

Francis Stephen remained at the imperial court until 1729, when he ascended the throne of Lorraine, but was not formally promised Maria Theresa's hand until later, during the War of the Polish Succession. Louis XV of France demanded that Maria Theresa's fiancé surrender his ancestral Duchy of Lorraine to accommodate his father-in-law, Stanisław I, who had been deposed as King of Poland.

Anniversaries of the (in)famous