Valentine's Day: Massacres, Presidents, and Space Dust!
February 14th! You probably think of hearts and chocolate, right? But this day is packed with serious history that’s anything but sweet! We’ve got dramatic courtroom rulings, famous first photos, and a super-spooky crime spree. Get ready to unwrap some unexpected historical treats that make Valentine’s Day way more interesting than a box of chocolates!
Life is like a box of chocolates, and February 14th proves it—you never know what you're gonna get! From the very first photo taken of a U.S. President to a massive war kicking off, this date in 1870 saw a huge change in American politics with the first woman judge, right after the US got its 48th state. It’s a wild mix of firsts!
What Happened on This Day
First Photo of a Sitting U.S. President!
Imagine being the President and having to sit *super* still for a photo! On this day, President James K. Polk visited a photographer in New York City and became the first sitting U.S. President to have his picture taken. This was a huge deal because early photography, called a daguerreotype, took several minutes! Polk probably looked a little stiff because if he’d sneezed, the whole picture would have been a blurry mess. Talk about a long exposure!
The Nation's First Female Judge Sworn In
Wyoming Territory was blazing a trail for equality! A local justice of the peace resigned in protest because the territory had just passed a law letting women vote—the very first in U.S. history! So, on February 14th, supervisors appointed Esther Hobart Morris to take his place. She became the nation's first female judge! She had to be tough, though, because she was dealing with tough frontier justice, proving that women could absolutely handle the courtroom gavel.
Arizona Finally Joins the United States
It took a long time, but Arizona officially became the 48th state on February 14th, 1912! Before this, it was a U.S. Territory, like a giant waiting room for statehood. Imagine having to wait for a massive team of people to agree you can join the club! It was the last of the contiguous states—meaning all the ones touching each other—to join the USA. This meant the map of America finally looked complete!
The Polish-Soviet War Kicks Off
While many folks were focused on Valentine’s Day romance, a huge fight started brewing in Eastern Europe! The Polish-Soviet War began on February 14th, 1919. This wasn't about candy hearts; it was a massive conflict over who controlled the land of Poland after World War I had just ended. It was a clash between the newly independent Polish state and the powerful Bolshevik (Soviet) forces trying to spread their influence. This war was super important for drawing the map of modern Europe!
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The Infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
This Valentine’s Day was NOT sweet! In Chicago, during the time of Al Capone and gangsters, seven men from a rival gang were brutally murdered in a garage. It’s famously known as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. The killers reportedly dressed up as police officers to trick their victims into surrendering! It was a huge, shocking crime that made people realize just how dangerous the gangster era was, though Al Capone was never officially pinned for this messy event.
Fun Facts About February 14
- The oldest known English Valentine's letter, from 1477, is from Margery Brews to her fiancé!
- In the Middle Ages, people believed birds started mating on February 14th!
- The company that became IBM changed its name to International Business Machines on this day in 1924!
- Australia introduced its first decimal currency stamps on February 14, 1966!
A Look Back in Time
February 14th often falls in the transition from deep winter to early spring, which is why ancient Romans linked it to the festival of Lupercalia, a cleansing and fertility celebration. In the 19th century, it became associated with sending secret love notes thanks to improved postage, which explains the cards! The date also seems to pop up during times of state-building and conflict, from Arizona joining the US to the start of the Polish-Soviet War, showing that life—and war—never takes a holiday.
Born on This Day
Frederick Douglass
Born into slavery, Frederick Douglass escaped and became one of the most famous abolitionists and writers in American history! He used powerful speeches and writings to fight for freedom and equality for everyone. He was a true hero who showed that words can be stronger than chains.
George Washington Gale Ferris Jr.
This engineer was brilliant and loved big ideas! He designed the magnificent Ferris Wheel for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. It was his answer to the Eiffel Tower! Imagine soaring high above the fair on his giant, rotating invention—he made the world a little more thrilling for all of us.
Jack Benny
Jack Benny was a comedy legend known for his incredible timing and his famously cheap character on radio and early TV. He often played an insecure version of himself, making audiences roar with laughter! He was so good at making pauses feel funny that he basically invented the comedic 'beat'.
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg is a successful businessman who co-founded a huge financial information company. He later served as the Mayor of New York City for three terms! He's known for tackling big city problems and for his passion for public health and the environment.