February 2024 – Page 2 – Historic Moments Today

Feb

2024

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at Large

February 19th: Phonograph Patented, Playing The First Recorded Sound

What Happened On February 19th? On a Monday morning in 1878, the entire globe was welcomed into a new era, where technology would be changed forever. In his bustling New Jersey laboratory, inventor Thomas Edison patented a revolutionary device that would forever change the way we experience sound: the phonograph. This was the first machine capable of both recording and replaying sound, which changed the trajectory of communication and entertainment history today! While working on improvements for the telegraph, he stumbled upon the idea of catching and replicating sound waves. Initially, he envisioned a machine that would be able to…

Feb

2024

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By Dr. Sylvia K. Crawford, MA in Journalism

February 18th: The First “Ironman” Triathlon Hosted

Sports History

What Happened On February 18th? On the 18th day of February in 1978, the Hawaiian island of Oahu buzzed with a unique energy. At 7:00 AM, fifteen brave souls stood poised on the shores of Waikiki Beach, ready for a triathlon unlike any other. Originally facing criticism for its physical demands, the first ever Ironman Triathlon was more than capable of pushing the best athletes in the world to their limits. California natives, John and Judy Collins coined "Ironman" based on a playful debate about who they thought were the fittest athletes: swimmers, cyclists, or runners. John Collins jokingly declared,…

Feb

2024

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By HistoricNews

February 17th: Jeffrey Dahmer Imprisoned For Life

U.S. History

What Happened On February 17th? Jeffrey Dahmer, often referred to as the Milwaukee Cannibal or the Milwaukee Monster, was a notorious American serial killer and sex offender who committed the murder and dismemberment of seventeen young men between 1978 and 1991. Dahmer's gruesome spree of violence shocked the entire world, leading to his eventual arrest and conviction. His case brought to light serious discussions on criminal psychology and the effectiveness of law enforcement. Jeffrey Dahmer was sentenced to life imprisonment on February 17th of 1992. This came after a nation-wide trial, revealing the horrifying details of his crimes. Dahmer was…

Feb

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

February 16th: “King Tut” & Tomb Discovered

Arts & Culture

What Happened On February 16th? In the Valley of the Kings, shadows from the Pyramids swept over the sand-swept dunes on February 16th, 1923. Little did we know, one of the greatest discoveries of all time was close to happening. After years of relentless searching, British archaeologist Howard Carter stood poised at the undisturbed tomb of the first ever child Pharaoh, Tutankhamun. Officials, journalists, and Carter's team watched as he carefully chipped away at the final seal. For over 3,000 years, the chamber had been untouched by human hands, guarding the secrets of a forgotten king. Finally after all this time,…

Feb

2024

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By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at Large

February 15th: Canada Implemented Its “Maple Leaf” National Flag

World History

What Happened On February 15th? On February 15th, 1965, the iconic Canadian national flag was changed from the previous Canadian Red Ensign (Union Jack), which was first used across British North America in 1867. Thousands of Canadians in the freezing winter, had gathered in Parliament Hill, Ottawato for the raising of the nation's brand new flag. After years of debate and design proposals, Canada was finally getting a distinct symbol to call its own, one that wasn't merely an adaptation of British flags. At noon sharp, the Canadian Red Ensign slowly descended. Then, the red and white flag unfurled, revealing…

Feb

2024

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By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at Large

February 14th: 7 Lives Taken In The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre

U.S. History

What Happened On February 14th? Love is always supposed to hang heavy on February 14th. But on Valentine's Day in the year 1929, Chicago instead saw the complete opposite. In the 'Windy City," a gangland showdown like no other became a grim symbol of Prohibition-era America. As a ruthless power play, the ruthless execution claimed 7 lives. For years, the contentious rivalry between the North Side Gang and Al Capone's South Side Outfit made various parts of Chicago dangerous and unsafe. Streets became battlegrounds as gang members fought over bootlegging profits. On this Valentine's Day in 1929, seven men were…

Feb

2024

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By Professor Mei X. Chen, M.A., Literature Scholar

February 13th: The Largest Diamond In The Universe Discovered

Science & Industry

What Happened On February 13th? In 2004 on this day, astronomers made a truly astronomical discovery, not with telescopes pointed towards the sky, but by analyzing data collected from a space observatory called the Chandra X-ray Observatory. They identified a celestial object located roughly 50 light-years away in the constellation "Centaurus," classified as a white dwarf star named BPM 37093 or more commonly known as "Lucy." However, this wasn't your average star. Upon further analysis, these astronomers realized that BPM 37093 wasn't a star made of hydrogen and helium like our Sun, but rather a crystallized remnant of a massive star…

Feb

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

February 12th: “The Scream” Stolen In Oslo

Arts & Culture

What Happened On February 12th? It was February 12th, 1994, the opening day of the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. With attention focused on the world's most renown athletes, something even chillier was going down within the walls of Oslo's National Gallery. Two masked figures, each armed with a pistol and a wire cutter, entered the museum shortly after 11:00 AM, despite it being the middle of the day. Their target was more valuable than the gold medals: Edvard Munch's, "The Scream." Within minutes, the thieves swiftly ripped the expressionist's artwork from its display and sarcastically left a note behind…

Feb

2024

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By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at Large

February 11th: Nelson Mandela Released From Prison 27 Years Later

World History

What Happened On February 11th? On an early South African morning in 1990, Nelson Mandela, the symbol of resistance against apartheid, was finally walking free. February 11th ended his 27 years of imprisonment, while beginning a new era for South Africa. Mandela spent years confined within the walls of Victor Verster Prison, but his spirit and his core values never broke. On the day of his release, thousands had gathered outside the prison gates, eager to see their hero free. Cameras from around the world were ready while international helicopters patrolled the area, and millions awaited Mandela's return . At…

Feb

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

February 10th: “Tom & Jerry” Debuted For The First Time!

Hollywood History

What Happened On February 10th? February 10th wasn't just any Saturday. Today in 1940, a mischievous alley cat named Jasper and a determined little mouse named Jinx (later Tom and Jerry) "paw-printed" their way into animation history. Though names and titles would definitely change, they stole the show in their debut, "Puss Gets the Boot," entertaining both adults and children across the nation! "Puss Gets the Boot" premiered alongside a lower-budget double feature at a small New York City theater. It was not your standard 'Hollywood premiere," yet, amidst the trivial main attraction, something magical happened. Tom, with his relentless…