[Fact 1: The Day Before the Roman Empire was Announced]
Did you know that the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great announced February 14, 313, as a day of new religious freedom throughout the entire Roman Empire? This means the February 15 is the day after this notable event took place in history.
[Fact 2: Galileo Galilei's Final Resting Place]
One fascinating historical event that occurred on February 15 is the burial of Galileo Galilei in 1737. Initially, the Italian astronomer was denied a proper burial but was later reburied in a place of honour in Florence.
[Fact 3: St. Valentine’s Day was once celebrated a day later]
There is some debate over when was the historical celebration of Valentine's Day. During the Middle Ages, different regions sometimes celebrated it on February 15 rather than the 14th. Makes you think about how things could have been different if the tradition had held!
[Fact 4: Celebrating Statehood]
February 15 is a date of importance for the State of Arizona in the United States. It was on this day in 1912, that it became the 48th state to join the Union.
[Fact 5: The First Teddy Bear]
Unknown to many, the first Teddy Bear was introduced to the public on February 15, 1903, by Morris and Rose Michtom, inspired by a cartoon featuring President Teddy Roosevelt. The rest, as they say, is cuddly history.
[Fact 6: A Day for Worrywarts]
In a quirky twist, February 15 is also celebrated as National Gumdrop Day and Singles Awareness Day in the United States. It's a bit of sweet and sour on the same day!
[Fact 7: Sarah Roberts vs. the City of Boston]
One for the books, this case marked a significant trial in the fight for desegregation. On February 15, 1848, Benjamin Roberts filed a lawsuit on behalf of his daughter Sarah, who was denied admission to a local whites-only school.
[Fact 8: Getting a Jump on Leap Year]
While February 29 is traditionally known as Leap Day, it is customary in several countries to celebrate on February 15 or 16 in non-leap years.
[Fact 9: A Soviet Satellite Re-Entry]
On February 15, 1961, the Soviet satellite, the Korabl-Sputnik 5, also known as Vostok-1, re-entered Earth's atmosphere carrying the first living beings to safely return from orbit, a pair of dogs.
[Fact 10: Birth of a Famous McDonald's Character]
For McDonald's enthusiasts, it's worth noting that the character of "Birdie the Early Bird" was first introduced on February 15, 1980. Birdie was the first-ever woman-character in McDonald's commercials!
[Fact 11: The End of the Silver Dollar Production]
February 15, 1878, marked the end of the production of the silver dollar. This decision launched a series of debates and conflicts that lasted for five years post-decision.
[Fact 12: Debut of YouTube]
The first video was uploaded to YouTube by co-founder Jawed Karim on February 15, 2005, marking the initial start of the video-sharing platform's popularity.
[Fact 13: Amazon Rainforest Discovery]
On February 15, 1542, Francisco de Orellana completed the first-ever known navigation of the entire length of the Amazon River, marking it as a historical event.
[Fact 14: A Comet's Near Miss]
Astronomy remembers February 15, 2013, when Asteroid 367943 Duende, a close-approaching near-Earth asteroid, narrowly bypassed a collision with Earth.
[Fact 15: Inventing the ENIAC]
In the field of technology, February 15, 1946 marks the unveiling of ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), one of the earliest electronic general-purpose computers built.
[Fact 16: The Great Backyard Bird Count Begins]
Starting in 1998, every February 15 marks the beginning of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, a citizen science project in the US and Canada where individuals record bird populations.
[Fact 17: Composer Handel Became a British Subject]
February 15, 1727, marks a key date for music, as composer George Frideric Handel officially became a British subject, allowing him to compose the anthem for King George II's coronation.
[Fact 18: Formation of General Motors Corporation]
Car enthusiasts will thrill at the knowledge that this day, in 1916, marked the formation of one of the world's largest automakers, General Motors Corporation.
[Fact 19: A Royal Pioneer in Aeronautics
February 15, 1901, is the date when Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands granted the "Koninklijke" (Royal) title to the Dutch Aeronautical Association, the first of its kind worldwide.
[Fact 20: First Woman’s Commemorative Postage Stamp]
Finally, February 15, 1902, marks the day when the first woman's commemorative postage stamp was issued in the US, celebrating the late Frances E. Willard, a leader in social reform movements.