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Major Events of February 1908: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from February 1908 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of February 1908: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Feb 1908 Assassination of King Carlos I of Portugal: On February 1st, 1908, King Carlos I of Portugal was assassinated by a mob in Lisbon at the age of 44. The tragic event, known as the Lisbon Regicide, involved the murder of both the king and his son, Prince Luis Filipe, in the Square of Commerce (Terreiro do Paço). A bearded man armed with a Winchester carbine rifle fired shots from approximately 8 meters away, marking a pivotal moment in Portuguese political history.
  • 02 Feb 1908 Uneventful Day in 1908: On February 2, 1908, no significant historical events were recorded. This day appears to have been a relatively quiet period in global history, with no major political, social, economic, or cultural developments noted in historical archives.
  • 03 Feb 1908 Supreme Court Ruling on Union Boycotts: The United States Supreme Court issued a landmark decision ruling that union boycotts violated the Sherman Antitrust Act, significantly impacting labor rights and economic regulations during the early 20th century.
  • 04 Feb 1908 Death of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in York: Roman Emperor Septimius Severus passed away in Eboracum (modern-day York, England) on February 4, 211 AD, marking a significant moment in Roman imperial history. His death left the Roman Empire in a precarious state, as his two sons, Caracalla and Geta, were known for their intense rivalry and mutual animosity. This familial conflict would soon lead to further political instability, with Caracalla eventually murdering his brother Geta and ruling the empire alone.
  • 05 Feb 1908 Birth of Daisy and Violet Hilton, Conjoined Twin Performers: Daisy and Violet Hilton were remarkable British conjoined twins born on this date, who became famous vaudeville performers and later film actors. Connected at the hip, they toured extensively in the early 20th century, performing in sideshows, circuses, and vaudeville acts. Their life story was complex and challenging, navigating fame, exploitation, and personal struggles as conjoined twins during an era with limited understanding and support for their condition.
  • 06 Feb 1908 Edward Lansdale: Inspiration for Literary Characters: General Edward Lansdale, a prominent CIA operative and counterinsurgency expert, served as the real-life inspiration for fictional characters in Graham Greene's 'The Quiet American' and Eugene Burdick's 'The Ugly American'. His complex diplomatic and intelligence work in Southeast Asia during the Cold War significantly influenced perceptions of American foreign policy and covert operations.
  • 07 Feb 1908 Birth of Buster Crabbe, Olympic Swimmer and Actor: Clarence Linden 'Buster' Crabbe was born in Oakland, California. He would go on to become an Olympic gold medalist in swimming (1932) and a notable actor, famously portraying characters in Tarzan the Fearless and Flash Gordon.
  • 08 Feb 1908 Leslie Kenneth O'Brien Becomes Lord O'Brien of Lothbury: Leslie Kenneth O'Brien was elevated to the peerage, receiving the title Lord O'Brien of Lothbury. This recognition likely signifies his significant contributions to British society, potentially in areas of public service, missionary work, or governance.
  • 10 Feb 1908 Tommy Burns Defeats Jack Palmer for Heavyweight Boxing Title: Canadian world heavyweight boxing champion Tommy Burns successfully defended his title by knocking out English challenger Jack Palmer in the fourth round of their championship bout in London. This victory further solidified Burns' reputation as a dominant boxer in the early 20th century.
  • 11 Feb 1908 Australia Wins Ashes Cricket Match: Australia secured a decisive victory in the Ashes cricket series against England, winning by an impressive 308-run margin. This match was part of the historic cricket rivalry between the two nations, demonstrating Australia's cricket prowess in the early 20th century.
  • 12 Feb 1908 New York to Paris Auto Race of 1908: A groundbreaking international automobile race began in New York City, challenging drivers to navigate an unprecedented transcontinental route through Alaska and Siberia to Paris. George Schuster emerged victorious after an arduous 88-day journey, demonstrating the emerging capabilities of early automotive technology and human endurance.
  • 13 Feb 1908 Uneventful Day in 1908: On February 13, 1908, no significant historical events were recorded. This day appears to have been a relatively quiet period in global history, with no major political, social, or cultural developments noted in standard historical archives.
  • 15 Feb 1908 Uneventful Day in 1908: While no specific significant historical events were recorded for February 15, 1908, this date represents a typical day during the early 20th century. The year 1908 was part of the Edwardian era, a period characterized by significant technological, social, and political transformations preceding World War I.
  • 17 Feb 1908 Death of Geronimo, Legendary Apache Leader: Geronimo, the renowned Apache chief and warrior who fiercely resisted Mexican and American expansion, passed away at approximately 79 years old. Known for his strategic resistance and symbolic representation of Native American resilience, Geronimo's life embodied the struggle of indigenous peoples against territorial encroachment.
  • 18 Feb 1908 Grand Canyon Designated as National Monument: On January 11, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt officially designated the Grand Canyon as a national monument, a pivotal moment in American conservation history. This landmark decision protected one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the United States, preserving its geological and ecological significance for future generations.
  • 19 Feb 1908 Birth of Qin Hanzhang, Chinese Engineer: Qin Hanzhang, a notable Chinese engineer, was born on February 19, 1908. He would go on to contribute significantly to technological development in early 20th century China, representing the emerging generation of professional engineers during a period of modernization and industrial growth.
  • 20 Feb 1908 Uneventful Day in 1908: On February 20, 1908, no significant historical events were recorded. This day appears to have been a relatively quiet period in global history, with no major political, social, scientific, or cultural developments noted in historical archives.
  • 21 Feb 1908 Uneventful Day in Early 20th Century: While no specific notable historical events were recorded for February 21, 1908, this date falls within the early Progressive Era in the United States, a period of social and political reform. The world was experiencing significant technological and social transformations during this time, with industrialization, urbanization, and emerging global communications reshaping society.
  • 22 Feb 1908 First Hudson River Tunnel Opens: The first tunnel under the Hudson River was inaugurated, representing a significant engineering achievement that would improve transportation and connectivity between New York and New Jersey. This infrastructure project was a major milestone in urban development and transportation technology.
  • 23 Feb 1908 William McMahon Becomes Prime Minister of Australia: Sir William McMahon served as the Prime Minister of Australia from 1971 to 1972, representing the Liberal Party. He was a significant political figure during a transformative period in Australian political history, leading the government during the final stages of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War and preceding the landmark Whitlam government.
  • 24 Feb 1908 DUPE: Japan-US Emigration Agreement: Japan officially agrees to restrict emigration to the United States, marking a significant diplomatic arrangement that would impact immigration patterns and international relations between the two countries in the early 20th century.
  • 25 Feb 1908 Hudson River Tunnel Breakthrough: Connecting New York and New Jersey: The first railway tunnel under the Hudson River was successfully opened, marking a significant engineering achievement that connected New York City and New Jersey. This innovative infrastructure project, part of the Pennsylvania Railroad's expansion, revolutionized transportation by providing a direct underground rail route between Manhattan and New Jersey, dramatically reducing travel times and improving regional connectivity.
  • 26 Feb 1908 Birth of Tex Avery, Legendary Cartoon Director: Frederick Bean 'Tex' Avery was born, a pioneering animator and director who revolutionized cartoon comedy at Warner Bros. and MGM. Known for his wildly exaggerated animation style and iconic characters like Bugs Bunny, Avery significantly influenced the golden age of American animation. His famous catchphrase 'What's up, Doc?' became a cultural touchstone, and his innovative techniques transformed cartoon storytelling.
  • 27 Feb 1908 Oklahoma Becomes 46th State, US Flag Updated: On February 27, 1908, the United States officially added a 46th star to the national flag to represent Oklahoma's statehood. This marked Oklahoma's formal admission to the Union, symbolizing the nation's continued territorial expansion.
  • 28 Feb 1908 Assassination Attempt on Shah Mohammed Ali: A failed assassination attempt was made against Shah Mohammed Ali in Tehran, Persia (modern-day Iran). This event highlights the political instability and tensions during the early 20th century in the Persian constitutional period.
  • 29 Feb 1908 Birth of Dee Brown, American Writer and Historian: Dee Brown, an influential American writer and historian, was born. He is best known for his groundbreaking book 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee', a seminal work that provided a Native American perspective on the westward expansion of the United States.