On This Day · The 45th day of the year

February 14

A look at February 14 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Michael Bloomberg and Bacary Sagna, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2011

    Arab Spring

    As a part of Arab Spring, the Bahraini uprising begins with a 'Day of Rage'.

    2010s protests and revolutions
  2. 2008

    2008 Northern Illinois University shooting

    Northern Illinois University shooting: A gunman opens fire in a lecture hall of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb County, Illinois, resulting in six fatalities (including the gunman) and 21 injuries.

    Mass shooting in Illinois,
  3. 2005

    YouTube

    YouTube is launched by a group of college students, eventually becoming the largest video sharing website in the world and a main source for viral videos.

    Video-sharing platform
  4. 2004

    Moscow

    In a suburb of Moscow, Russia, the roof of the Transvaal water park collapses, killing more than 28 people, and wounding 193 others.

    Capital and most populous
  5. 1990

    Indian Airlines Flight 605

    Ninety-two people are killed when Indian Airlines Flight 605 crashes in Bangalore, India.

    1990 aviation accident in
  6. 1939

    World War II

    World War II: German battleship Bismarck is launched.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  7. 1852

    Great Ormond Street Hospital

    Great Ormond St Hospital for Sick Children, the first hospital in England to provide in-patient beds specifically for children, is founded in London.

    Children's hospital in London,
  8. 1804

    Karađorđe

    Karađorđe leads the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire.

    19th-century Serbian revolutionary leader
  9. 1779

    American Revolutionary War

    American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Kettle Creek is fought in Georgia.

    1775–1783 conflict in North
  10. 1779

    Death of James Cook

    James Cook is killed by Native Hawaiians near Kealakekua on the Island of Hawaii.

    1779 killing in Kealakekua
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Famous birthday twins

Born on February 14

Michael Bloomberg

b. 1942

American businessman and politician, 108th Mayor of New York City

Bacary Sagna

b. 1983

French footballer

Tibor Sekelj

b. 1912

Hungarian lawyer, explorer, and author

Wilhelm Burgdorf

b. 1895

German general

Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein

b. 1945

Prince of Liechtenstein since 1989

Mark Rutte

b. 1967

Dutch businessman and politician, Prime Minister of the Netherlands

Alexander Kluge

b. 1932

German author, film director and public intellectual

Michael Ammermüller

b. 1986

German racing driver

Deaths

  • 1994Andrei Chikatilo, Soviet serial killer
  • 1979Adolph Dubs, American lieutenant and diplomat, United States Ambassador to Afghanistan
  • 1943David Hilbert, Russian-German mathematician, physicist, and philosopher
  • 1894Eugène Charles Catalan, Belgian-French mathematician and academic
  • 1779James Cook, English captain, cartographer, and explorer
  • 1549Il Sodoma, Italian painter

Holidays & observances

  • Christian feast day: Cyril and Methodius, patron saints of Europe (Roman Catholic Church)
  • Christian feast day: Eleuchadius
  • Christian feast day: Manchan
  • Christian feast day: Valentine (see also Valentine's Day)
  • Christian feast day: Vicente Vilar David
  • Christian feast day: February 14 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • Statehood Day (Arizona, United States)
  • Statehood Day (Oregon, United States)

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