Major Events of February 1910: 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 1910 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of February 1910: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Feb 1910 UK House of Commons Election Results: The United Kingdom completed elections for the House of Commons, with the Liberal Party securing 274 seats and the Unionists obtaining 272. Prime Minister Asquith maintained power by forming a coalition with Irish nationalists.
02 Feb 1910 Billy Gohl: Serial Killer Arrested in Washington: Billy Gohl, infamously known as the 'Ghoul of Gray's Harbour', was apprehended in Aberdeen, Washington, for the murder of his former associate Charley Hatberg. Investigations revealed Gohl was suspected of an astonishing series of murders, with 124 confirmed bodies and potentially more unaccounted victims. His arrest marked a significant breakthrough in stopping a prolific serial killer who had terrorized the local maritime community.
03 Feb 1910 First Pyloromyotomy Surgery: On February 3, 1910, a groundbreaking medical procedure was performed in Edinburgh by Sir Harold Stiles: the first pyloromyotomy. This surgical intervention was designed to correct pyloric stenosis, a congenital condition in infants where the pathway between the stomach and intestines is abnormally narrow, potentially preventing proper digestion and nutrient absorption.
04 Feb 1910 Steamship Kentucky Maritime Incident: The steamship Kentucky began sinking off the treacherous coast of Cape Hatteras early in the morning, marking a significant maritime event that likely resulted in rescue operations and potential loss of life.
05 Feb 1910 Coal Mine Explosion in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania: A devastating coal mine explosion occurred at the Jefferson Clearfield Coal Company, resulting in significant loss of life and highlighting the dangerous working conditions in early 20th-century mining operations. The incident underscored the critical need for improved safety regulations and protective measures in the coal mining industry.
06 Feb 1910 USS Nina Disappearance: The U.S. Navy tugboat USS Nina departed Norfolk, Virginia, for Boston but mysteriously vanished during a severe gale off the Chesapeake Capes. The vessel and its entire crew of 31 sailors were lost at sea, with the ship officially declared missing on March 15, 1910. This tragic maritime incident highlighted the dangerous conditions faced by naval personnel in the early 20th century.
07 Feb 1910 France Expands Naval Capabilities: The French cabinet approved a substantial naval expansion bill, intensifying the ongoing naval arms race among European powers. This strategic decision reflected the growing geopolitical tensions and military competition of the early 20th century, as nations sought to demonstrate naval supremacy.
08 Feb 1910 Boy Scouts of America Incorporation: William D. Boyce officially incorporates the Boy Scouts of America in Chicago, establishing a national youth organization dedicated to developing leadership, character, and outdoor skills for young boys, inspired by the British Scouting movement.
09 Feb 1910 Birth of Jacques Monod, Nobel Laureate Biochemist: Jacques Monod was born, a distinguished French biochemist who would later make groundbreaking contributions to molecular biology. He would go on to receive the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on genetic regulation in bacteria, fundamentally advancing our understanding of how genes are controlled and expressed.
10 Feb 1910 Georges Pire - Nobel Peace Prize Recipient: Georges Pire was a Belgian monk and humanitarian who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his remarkable work in supporting refugees and promoting international understanding. He dedicated his life to helping displaced people in Europe after World War II, establishing numerous refugee assistance programs and advocating for human rights.
11 Feb 1910 Jean-Baptiste Charcot's Antarctic Expedition Return: French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot and the crew of his ship Pourquoi Pas returned from their Antarctic expedition, arriving at Punta Arenas, Chile. Although they did not reach the South Pole, Charcot was celebrated for pushing further south than any previous expedition, marking a significant milestone in polar exploration.
12 Feb 1910 Chinese Invasion of Tibet: In a significant geopolitical event, a Chinese military expedition of approximately 2,000 troops invaded Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The invasion forced the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, to seek refuge in British India, marking a critical moment in Tibetan-Chinese relations and highlighting the complex power dynamics of early 20th-century Asia.
13 Feb 1910 Berlin Workers' Protest Against Prussian Electoral System: On February 13, 1910, thousands of workers marched in Berlin to protest the Prussian three-class franchise, an electoral system that disproportionately favored wealthy voters. Under this system, the top one-fifth of voters controlled two-thirds of parliamentary seats, creating significant social inequality. During the protest, city police and Prussian army forces violently suppressed the demonstration, using bayonets and resulting in 40 wounded protesters. This event was a critical moment in the broader struggle for democratic representation in Germany, ultimately contributing to the systemic changes that would occur with the fall of the German Empire in 1918.
14 Feb 1910 Winston Churchill Becomes Home Secretary: In a significant political transition following the January 1910 United Kingdom general election, Winston Churchill, at the age of 35, was appointed Home Secretary in Prime Minister H. H. Asquith's cabinet. Churchill replaced Herbert Gladstone in this pivotal role, marking an important moment in his early political career. As Home Secretary, Churchill would be responsible for internal affairs, law enforcement, and immigration policy during a transformative period in British political history.
15 Feb 1910 International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union Strike Concludes: The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) strike against New York's shirtwaist factories concluded after a prolonged labor dispute lasting nearly three months. This significant labor action highlighted the challenging working conditions and workers' rights in the early 20th-century garment industry, marking an important moment in the American labor movement.
17 Feb 1910 Birth of Ai Qing, Renowned Chinese Poet: Ai Qing was born on this date, who would later become one of the most influential modern Chinese poets of the 20th century. Known for his profound literary contributions and social commentary, Ai Qing played a significant role in shaping contemporary Chinese poetry and was also the father of famous artist and activist Ai Weiwei.
18 Feb 1910 First Airplane Flight in Texas: On February 18, 1910, French aviator Louis Paulhan made aviation history by performing the first airplane flight in Texas. The groundbreaking event took place on prairie land south of Houston, where Paulhan demonstrated his Farman biplane. The Houston Post newspaper sponsored the demonstration, paying Paulhan a substantial sum of $20,000 to showcase the emerging technology of powered flight. This event marked a significant milestone in Texas aviation history, highlighting the growing public fascination with early aeronautical achievements.
19 Feb 1910 Richard Strauss' 'Elektra' Premieres in England: On February 19, 1910, the groundbreaking one-act opera 'Elektra' by renowned German composer Richard Strauss was first performed in England. Based on the Greek mythological play by Sophocles, the opera is a powerful and intense musical interpretation of the tragic story of Elektra, who seeks revenge for her father Agamemnon's murder. The premiere marked a significant moment in early 20th-century classical music, showcasing Strauss' innovative and dramatically charged compositional style.
20 Feb 1910 Assassination of Boutros Ghali: Boutros Ghali, the first native-born prime minister of Egypt, was assassinated in a significant political event that marked a tumultuous period in Egyptian history. His murder highlighted the intense political tensions and nationalist sentiments prevalent during the early 20th century in Egypt, which was then under British colonial influence.
21 Feb 1910 Establishment of Mexican Red Cross: The Cruz Roja de Mexicana was established by presidential decree, becoming Mexico's national branch of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Beyond disaster assistance, the organization serves as the country's primary ambulance service. Notably, Mexican law grants Cruz Roja emergency workers exclusive legal authorization to provide first aid for accident and crime victims.
22 Feb 1910 Ad Wolgast Wins World Lightweight Boxing Championship: On February 22, 1910, Ad Wolgast secured the world lightweight boxing championship in a grueling 'distance fight' against the defending champion, Battling Nelson. This historic bout was a significant moment in early 20th-century boxing, showcasing Wolgast's skill and determination in the ring.
23 Feb 1910 Great Northern Railroad Train 25 Disaster: A tragic train derailment near Ritzville, Washington, involving Great Northern Railroad's Train Number 25 resulted in 21 fatalities and numerous injuries. The train, carrying 55 passengers from Spokane to Seattle, met with a catastrophic accident that highlighted the transportation safety challenges of the era.
24 Feb 1910 Founding of Malmö FF Soccer Club: On February 24, 1910, Malmö FF was established in the southern Swedish city of Malmö. This soccer club would go on to become one of the most successful football teams in Swedish history, ultimately winning a record 20 Allsvenskan league titles. The club's founding marked a significant moment in Swedish sports history, representing the growing popularity of organized football in the early 20th century.
25 Feb 1910 Dalai Lama's Escape from Tibet: The 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, fled Tibet to escape Chinese military aggression, seeking refuge in British-controlled India. This event marked a critical moment in Tibetan history, highlighting the growing tensions between Tibet and China during the early 20th century.
26 Feb 1910 Founding of Boy Scouts of America: On February 26, 1910, William Boyce officially established the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in Washington, D.C. Inspired by the British Boy Scouts movement, Boyce sought to create a youth organization that would promote character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness for young men. The organization was founded with the vision of helping boys develop leadership skills, outdoor competence, and strong moral values through structured activities, community service, and wilderness training.
27 Feb 1910 Birth of Kelly Johnson, Legendary Aircraft Engineer: Kelly Johnson was born on February 27, 1910, and would become one of the most influential aircraft engineers of the 20th century. As a key figure at Lockheed Martin's advanced development programs (Skunk Works), he was responsible for designing groundbreaking aircraft like the U-2 spy plane and the SR-71 Blackbird. His innovative engineering approaches revolutionized aerospace design and significantly contributed to American aviation technology during the Cold War era.
28 Feb 1910 Wellington Avalanche: Deadliest Disaster in U.S. Railroad History: On February 28, 1910, one of the most tragic natural disasters in United States railroad history occurred in Wellington, Washington. An enormous avalanche struck the Great Northern Railway depot, killing 96 people in a devastating event that would become the deadliest avalanche in U.S. history. The massive snow slide swept two trains—the Great Northern Railway's Spokane Express and the Fast Mail train—off the tracks and down a steep mountainside, resulting in massive loss of life and highlighting the extreme dangers of mountain rail transportation in early 20th century winter conditions.