The way it was: Today in history, February 25

Throwback Thursday: A look back at events in history on February 25, including Cassius Clay defeating Sonny Liston, mourning the death of China's Deng Xiaoping and the introduction of Dolly, the genetically cloned sheep.

In this photo, Cassius Clay's handlers hold him back as he reacts to being declared the new heavyweight champion of the world on a seventh round technical knockout against Sonny Liston at Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Florida on February 25, 1964.

Joe Brown and Martha Raye

Joe E. Brown, the cavern-mouthed screen comedian, and Martha Raye, film singer and actress also noted for her big mouth, held this informal competition at the Screen Actors' Guild annual ball in Hollywood, on February 25, 1937.

Christine Jorgensen

Christine Jorgensen, an ex-World War II GI who became a woman, sits in a car in Mineola, N.Y. on Feb. 25, 1953, after taking a test to qualify for a driver's license.

The ex-soldier, born George William Jorgensen Jr, was the first trans woman to have become publicly known for having gone through sex reassignment surgery. She used the attention she received to become a transgender advocate.

Pele's honeymoon

Brazilian soccer star Pele (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) and his bride Rosemarie Riccione hold hands as they sit in their hotel room shortly after arriving in Salzburg, Austria on February 25, 1966. The couple came to Salzburg from Bavaria in Germany, where they spent part of their honeymoon, and will go to Italy later on.

Boston Strangler

Self-confessed Boston Strangler Albert DeSalvo is seen minutes after his capture in Boston, February 25, 1967.

DeSalvo confessed to the string of 1960s killings but was never convicted. He died in prison in the 1970s. Massachusetts officials said July 11, 2013, that DNA technology led to a breakthrough, putting them in a position to formally charge the Boston Strangler with the murder of Mary Sullivan, last of the slayings attributed to the Boston Strangler.

President Nixon in China

Both Pat Nixon and a group of Chinese women officials look up at President Nixon as he poses with the group at a farewell dinner in Beijing, February 25, 1972. At extreme right is Dr. Henry Kissinger, special assistant to The President. Nixon's 1972 trip, the first for an American president to communist China, was a major step towards normalizing relations between the two countries.

Ferdinand Marcos

Ferdinand E. Marcos with his wife, Imelda at his side, gestures strongly from the balcony of Malacanang Palace on February 25, 1986 in Manila, after taking the oath of office as President of the Philippines.

Just hours later, Marcos resigned and fled to the U.S. Air Force's Clark Air Base, 50 miles northwest of Manila, as he prepared to accept an American offer to fly him out of the Philippines.

Gulf War ground offensive

A Kuwaiti helicopter herds Iraqi prisoners of war, arms in the air, across a stream in southeastern Kuwait, February 25, 1991 as Operation Desert Storm continues.

Following six weeks of a bombing campaign against Iraq, U.S.-led forces launched a ground invasion February 24. Kuwait was liberated on February 28.

Dolly the genetically-cloned sheep

Seven-month-old Dolly, the genetically cloned sheep, looks towards the camera at the Roslin Institute on February 25 1997. It was revealed that Dolly, the first mammal to be genetically cloned from adult cells and a worldwide sensation, got her name from Country singer Dolly Parton.

Dr Ian Wilmut, who co-ordinated the work at the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh, told a news conference: "She was derived as you know from mammary cells and the people who were looking after her could not think of a more impressive setof mammary cells than those that belong to Dolly Parton."

The scientists who produced Dolly said they welcomed President Clinton's call for a study of the implications of their discovery for humans.

Deng Xiaoping mourned

A young man wearing all black holds a Deng Xiaoping poster while mourning the late Chinese leader at Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, February 25, 1997.

Displaying unusual tolerance, authorities allowed the citizens to publicly mourn. With piercing sirens, China bade a final farewell to Deng, as 10,000 of the nation's Communist elite gathered in Beijing's Great Hall of the People to mourn his passing. The Chinese leader died February 19.

James Byrd Jr's murderer

Convicted killer John William King, center, is escorted from the Jasper County Courthouse after being sentenced to die by lethal injection for the capital murder of James Byrd Jr., February 25, 1999, in Jasper, Texas. King remains on death row. Another man, convicted for the same crime was executed by lethal injection in 2011.

Byrd, an African-American was murdered by three men on June 7, 1998. He was dragged for three miles behind a pick-up truck and died during the order when his head was severed. Byrd's death brought about passage of the Texas hate crimes law followed by the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act on the federal level in 2009.

Priest's abuse allegation

Father George Spagnolia raises a fist February 25, 2002 during a press conference at St. Patrick church in Lowell, MA.

Rev. Spagnolia was pulled from his parish duties February 23, following an allegation of sexual abuse with a 14-year-old boy 31 years earlier. The reverend denied the allegation during his press conference. Though he was never charged, he was also need fully reinstated as a priest. Soon after his press conference, a Boston man revealed the two had consensual sex. Spangolia admitted to the relationship and was placed on administrative leave never to be reinstated.

Scapehood protection device

A child wears a Scapehood protection device, developed and manufactured by ILC February 25, 2003 in Frederica, Delaware.

Citing post September 11 terrorism fears, ILC started making the Scapehood for the general public and company officials alleged protection against chemical warfare agents and biological, radiological and nuclear inhalation particulates. The Scapehood was made in an adult size and smaller sizes for children and infants, selling for $199.00 per unit.

"The Passion of Christ"

Kellenberg Memorial High School students stand outside the Loewes Movie Theatre after a three mile pilgrimage to see "The Passion Of Christ" February 25, 2004 in Westbury, New York.

Mel Gibson's controversial movie about the last 44 hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life opened nationwide on Ash Wednesday, the traditional beginning of season of Lent that ends on Easter.

Haiti rebel offensive

A bus passes by a burning tire set by supporters of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide February 25, 2004 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Aristide loyalists built barricades throughout the capital, blocking roads all over the capital as they prepare for a rebel offensive against the city.

Michael Jackson

Fans in the background hold up signs supporting Michael Jackson as he arrives with bodyguards at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria, Calif., February 25, 2005. The entertainer is charged in a 10-count indictment with molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland Valley ranch.