29 fun facts for February, 15
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
February 15 marks numerous historical events, such as the launch of YouTube in 2005, the raising of the Canadian flag for the first time in 1965, and the premiere of Walt Disney's "Cinderella" in 1950. The day also honors several celebrations, including International Childhood Cancer Day, National Flag of Canada Day, and National I Want Butterscotch Day.
29 Fun facts
- February 15, 2005: YouTube was launched by three former PayPal employees. The popular video-sharing website allowed people to upload, share, and view videos, revolutionizing social media and entertainment.
- February 15, 1936: Canadian women's ice hockey made its debut at the Winter Sports Week in Lake Placid, New York. The female ice hockey players played with adapted rules, paving the way for women's participation in this popular sport.
- February 15, 1965: Canada's national flag, the Maple Leaf, was raised for the first time in Ottawa. It replaced the former Red Ensign flag and marked a step towards Canada's independence from Britain.
- February 15, 1894: French automobile manufacturer Peugeot produced its first car. The company was initially known for producing bicycles and eventually expanded into many industries, including automobiles.
- February 15, 1961: A plane crash near Brussels, Belgium, claimed the lives of the entire United States Figure Skating team en route to the World Championships. It was a devastating loss for the sports community.
- February 15 is International Childhood Cancer Day. It is a global campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, their families, and their healthcare providers.
- February 15 is John Frum Day in the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. Followers of the John Frum cargo cult celebrate with military parades and dances, honoring the mysterious figure who promised to bring them material goods.
- February 15 is National Flag of Canada Day. It commemorates the inauguration of the Canadian flag in 1965 by hosting various patriotic events and flag-raising ceremonies throughout the country.
- February 15, 1564: Galileo Galilei, the renowned Italian astronomer, physicist, engineer, and mathematician, was born. His work provided a strong foundation for modern science.
- February 15, 1965: A new world record was set for the largest observed meteorite impact near Tunguska, Russia, when a meteorite exploded in Earth's atmosphere with an estimated 15-megaton blast.
- February 15, 2001: The first draft of the human genome was published in the journal Nature. This groundbreaking achievement marked a significant milestone in the field of genomics and human health.
- February 15, 1923: The burial chamber of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun was opened by British archaeologist Howard Carter, revealing the riches of the ancient tomb and sparking a surge of popular interest in Egyptian history.
- February 15, 1898: The U.S. battleship Maine exploded and sank in Havana Harbor, leading to the Spanish-American War. The cause of the explosion remains a mystery to this day.
- February 15, 1879: President Rutherford B. Hayes signed a bill allowing women to argue cases before the United States Supreme Court, a significant milestone for women in the legal profession.
- February 15 is National I Want Butterscotch Day in the United States, a day dedicated to celebrating the sweet and savory flavor of butterscotch in its many forms.
- February 15, 1950: Walt Disney's "Cinderella" had its premiere, becoming one of the company's most popular animated films and revitalizing the Disney animation studio.
- February 15, 1928: Herbert Alexander Simon, an American economist and political scientist, was born. He received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1978 for his work in decision-making within economic organizations.
- February 15, 1946: ENIAC, the world's first electronic general-purpose computer, was formally dedicated at the University of Pennsylvania. It was an integral part of the development of modern technology.
- February 15, 1971: The United Kingdom adopted decimal currency, abandoning the old system of pounds, shillings, and pence. The changeover made calculations easier, facilitating commerce and trade.
- February 15, 1992: The European Community, the precursor of the European Union, recognized the newly independent nations of Croatia and Slovenia.
- February 15, 1997: The Big Blue chess machine defeated world champion Garry Kasparov in a six-game match. This historic event showcased the potential of artificial intelligence.
- February 15, 1989: The Soviet Union announced that it would withdraw its forces from Afghanistan, ending a military intervention of nearly ten years.
- February 15, 1982: The Ocean Ranger, a large offshore drilling rig, sank off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, during a severe storm, leading to the tragic loss of 84 crew members.
- February 15, 1804: The Serbian revolution against Ottoman rule began. The revolution lasted until 1817, ultimately leading to Serbian autonomy.
- February 15, 1958: The first iron lung was introduced at Göteborg in Sweden. The device assisted patients with breathing difficulties due to polio and was a major advancement in medical technology.
- February 15, 1945: Venezuela declared war on Germany during World War II. While the South American nation did not play a significant military role, its decision to support the Allies had global consequences.
- February 15, 1974: "Free to BeYou and Me," a groundbreaking television special promoting gender equity, premiered on American television. Featuring famous performers and celebrities, the program encouraged children to challenge traditional gender roles.
- February 15, 1921: Winston Churchill was appointed as the British Colonial Secretary. During his tenure, he played a key role in shaping policy in the Middle East and Africa.
- February 15, 1900: The British chocolate company Cadbury introduced its first milk chocolate bar. It was the beginning of a long history of delicious confections from the brand.