Written by Junia Currie
Modified & Updated: 11 Oct 2024
Reviewed by Sherman Smith
Every day in history has its own significance and remarkable events, and February 14th is no exception. From ancient civilizations to modern times, this date has seen a multitude of noteworthy occurrences that have shaped the world we live in. Whether it’s a major historical event, a significant discovery, or an important birth or death, February 14th has been witness to countless moments that have left an indelible mark on our collective memory.
In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the facts and events that have taken place on February 14th throughout history. We will uncover the stories behind important milestones, explore the achievements of notable figures, and gain a deeper understanding of the significance of this date. So, fasten your seatbelts as we embark on a journey through time, unraveling the fascinating events that have shaped February 14th and the world itself.
Key Takeaways:
- February 14th marks the day of significant historical events, scientific breakthroughs, political milestones, cultural contributions, and notable births and deaths. It showcases the diverse impact individuals have made throughout history.
- On February 14th, important events such as the publishing of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” the patenting of the telephone, and the founding of the Academy Awards organization have left a lasting impact on history. It’s a day filled with diverse achievements and contributions.
HISTORICAL EVENTS
- 270 – Roman Emperor Claudius II, known as Claudius Gothicus, dies of the plague.
- 1779 – Captain James Cook is killed by Native Hawaiians in a skirmish on the Big Island.
- 1852 – American author and abolitionist, Harriet Beecher Stowe, publishes her famous novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
- 1912 – Arizona becomes the 48th state of the United States.
- 1929 – The ‘St. Valentine’s Day Massacre’ takes place in Chicago, where seven members of Bugs Moran’s gang are murdered.
SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS
- 1876 – Inventor Alexander Graham Bell patents the telephone.
- 1924 – The Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company is renamed to International Business Machines Corporation (IBM).
- 1950 – The first self-propelled mechanical heart pump, the ‘Heart-Lung Machine’, is successfully tested by Dr. John Heysham Gibbon Jr.
- 1990 – The spacecraft Voyager 1 takes the famous ‘Pale Blue Dot’ photograph of Earth from a record distance of about 6 billion kilometers.
- 2013 – Scientists confirm the discovery of the Higgs boson, also known as the ‘God Particle’, at the Large Hadron Collider.
POLITICAL MILESTONES
- 1912 – U.S. President William Howard Taft opens the Panama Canal.
- 1945 – The Yalta Conference begins, where leaders Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe.
- 1979 – St. Lucia becomes an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations.
- 2005 – Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri is assassinated in a car bomb attack in Beirut, sparking widespread protests and political unrest.
- 2011 – A civilian uprising against the Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi begins, marking the start of the Libyan Civil War.
CULTURAL EVENTS
- 1779 – Captain James Cook’s third and final voyage ends as the HMS Resolution returns to England.
- 1876 – Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray both apply for patents for the telephone. Bell is later granted the patent.
- 1929 – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is founded, responsible for organizing the annual Academy Awards (Oscars).
- 1962 – First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy takes television viewers on a televised tour of the White House.
- 1990 – The sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” starring Will Smith premieres on NBC.
BIRTHS
- 1404 – Leon Battista Alberti, Italian architect and painter.
- 1894 – Jack Benny, American comedian and actor.
- 1942 – Michael Bloomberg, American businessman and politician, founder of Bloomberg LP and former Mayor of New York City.
- 1985 – Karima Adebibe, English actress and model, known as the seventh official Lara Croft model for the video game Tomb Raider.
- 1990 – Ángel di María, Argentine professional footballer.
NOTABLE DEATHS
- 1891 – William Tecumseh Sherman, American general and World War II hero.
- 1920 – Olive Schreiner, South African author and feminist.
- 1967 – Arevalo Mendes, Brazilian author and diplomat.
- 1986 – Olivier Messiaen, French composer and organist.
- 2005 – Rafic Hariri, Lebanese politician and former Prime Minister.
Conclusion:
February 14th in history has been marked by significant events, scientific breakthroughs, political milestones, cultural events, and notable births and deaths. It is a date that showcases the diversity of human achievement and the impact individuals have made throughout history. From the establishment of states, inventions that shape our modern world, and artistic and cultural contributions, February 14th holds a place in the annals of history. It serves as a reminder of the rich tapestry of human existence and the power of individuals to shape the world around them.
FAQs:
Q: What are some famous events that happened on February 14th?
A: Some famous events that occurred on February 14th include the publishing of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1852, the opening of the Panama Canal by US President William Howard Taft in 1912, and the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in 2005.
Q: Who patented the telephone?
A: Alexander Graham Bell is credited with patenting the telephone in 1876.
Q: What scientific breakthroughs happened on February 14th?
A: Notable scientific breakthroughs on February 14th include the successful testing of the ‘Heart-Lung Machine’ in 1950 and the confirmation of the discovery of the Higgs boson particle in 2013.
Q: Are there any significant cultural events associated with February 14th?
A: Yes, some cultural events include the founding of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1929 and the premiere of the sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” in 1990.
Q: Who were some notable figures born on February 14th?
A: Notable individuals born on February 14th include Italian architect Leon Battista Alberti in 1404, American comedian Jack Benny in 1894, and Argentine footballer Ángel di María in 1985.
Q: Who are some notable personalities who died on February 14th?
A: Some notable personalities who passed away on February 14th include American General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1891 and French composer Olivier Messiaen in 1986.
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