On This Day in History: February 18

I've been in some pain over the past week or so.  I'm rather tired and a bit preoccupied, so the posts haven't been as consistent lately, but that will change in the near future.  In the meantime, here's some history:

1229 -- Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II signs a 10-year truce with Islamic sultan al-Kamil, regaining Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem without the typical necessity of military engagements or support from the Pope.

1861 -- Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as the provisional President of the Confederate States of America in Montgomery, Alabama.  It would be nearly nine months before the provisional title was dropped.

1884 -- Largely recognized as the first "Great American Novel," Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is published for the first time.

1901 -- Winston Churchill gives his maiden speech -- the first oratory offering by a newly elected member of Parliament -- in the House of Commons as a representative of Oldham.