Major Events of February 1913: 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 1913 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of February 1913: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Feb 1913 Grand Central Terminal Opens in New York City: On February 1, 1913, New York City's Grand Central Terminal was inaugurated, marking a significant milestone in transportation infrastructure. Designed by architects Reed and Stem, and Warren and Wetmore, the terminal represented a pinnacle of Beaux-Arts architectural design and became a landmark transportation hub. The massive station replaced the previous Grand Central Station and introduced innovative features like electrified rail lines and a spacious, elegant interior that would become an iconic symbol of early 20th-century urban development.
02 Feb 1913 Grand Central Terminal Opens in New York City: Grand Central Terminal officially opened in New York City, marking a significant milestone in transportation infrastructure. The world's largest train station at the time began operations at 12:01 am, with the Boston Express No. 2 being the first train to depart. On its inaugural day, the terminal attracted an impressive 150,000 visitors. Mr. F. M. Lamh of Yonkers, New York, was credited as the first passenger to purchase a ticket in the new terminal.
03 Feb 1913 16th Amendment Ratification: Income Tax Constitutional: The 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, granting Congress the unprecedented power to levy and collect income taxes from all sources of income. This landmark constitutional amendment fundamentally transformed the federal government's fiscal capabilities, enabling a more robust and flexible taxation system that would significantly impact national revenue generation.
04 Feb 1913 Rosa Parks Birth Year Note: Rosa Lee Parks, a pivotal civil rights activist known for her bus protest, was born in this year.
05 Feb 1913 First Aerial Attack on a Warship: First Lieutenant Michael Moutoussis and Ensign Aristeidis Moraitinis of the Greek Navy conducted a groundbreaking military operation by executing the first aerial attack on a warship in history. They dropped four bombs on Turkish ships in the Dardanelles, though the attack did not result in any casualties, demonstrating the emerging potential of aerial warfare.
06 Feb 1913 Birth of John Lund, American Actor: John Lund was born in Rochester, New York, who would later become a notable actor known for his role in the television series 'The Wackiest Ship in the Army'. Lund was a prominent performer in mid-20th century American entertainment, contributing to the film and television industry during a transformative period of media development.
07 Feb 1913 Opera Singer Injured During Stage Performance: Renowned baritone Vanni Marcoux of the Boston Opera Company suffered a concussion during a performance when he was accidentally struck by a descending stage curtain while taking his final bows. The incident occurred as Marcoux was basking in the audience's enthusiastic applause, unaware of the heavy curtain lowering behind him. He was immediately hospitalized for treatment of his head injury.
08 Feb 1913 President Taft Delivers Congressional Eulogy: In a historic moment, U.S. President William Howard Taft became the first incumbent president in over 110 years to personally address a house of Congress. He appeared before the United States Senate to deliver a heartfelt eulogy for the late Vice-President James S. Sherman, who had passed away in November 1912, marking a significant moment of presidential tribute and political tradition.
09 Feb 1913 Ten Day Tragedy of Mexico City: A significant historical conflict in Mexico City involving multiple battles and substantial civilian casualties. The event marked a critical moment in Mexican political history, with intense urban warfare resulting in approximately 3,000 deaths.
10 Feb 1913 Scott Expedition Tragedy Confirmed: The world received confirmation of the tragic fate of Robert Falcon Scott and his Antarctic exploration team, who perished after reaching the South Pole. The news was brought back by the *Terra Nova* expedition ship, revealing the heroic and devastating details of their ill-fated journey.
11 Feb 1913 Taishō Political Crisis in Japan: On February 11, 1913, a significant political upheaval erupted in Japan when Prime Minister Katsura Tarō and his entire cabinet resigned following massive public demonstrations in Tokyo. Tens of thousands of protesters had gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the government, signaling a critical moment of political tension and democratic expression during the Taishō period. This event highlighted growing public demand for political reform and challenged the traditional power structures of Japanese governance.
12 Feb 1913 Yamamoto Gonnohyōe Becomes Prime Minister of Japan: Yamamoto Gonnohyōe, a 60-year-old naval officer and politician who had studied in the United States, assumed the role of Prime Minister of Japan. His appointment marked a significant moment in early 20th-century Japanese political leadership.
13 Feb 1913 Tibet Declares Independence from Qing Dynasty: The 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, officially proclaimed Tibetan independence, ending decades of Manchu Qing dynasty rule. This historic declaration initiated a period of nearly four decades of Tibetan self-governance, marking a significant moment in Tibet's political history.
14 Feb 1913 President Taft Vetoes Immigration Restriction Bill: On February 14, 1913, U.S. President William Howard Taft exercised his presidential power by vetoing the Burnett-Dillingham Immigration Bill. This legislation would have significantly restricted immigrant laborers from entering the United States. Taft's veto demonstrated a more inclusive approach to immigration during the early 20th century.
15 Feb 1913 Delaware Ratifies Federal Income Tax Amendment: Delaware became the 36th state to approve the Sixteenth Amendment, a pivotal moment in U.S. fiscal policy that granted Congress the constitutional authority to implement a federal income tax system.
16 Feb 1913 Taft's Non-Intervention Policy in Mexico: President William Howard Taft decided against military intervention in Mexico, signaling a diplomatic approach to the complex political situation in the neighboring country during a period of significant political instability.
17 Feb 1913 Armory Show Introduces Modern European Art to America: The New York Armory Show introduces groundbreaking European artists like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Marcel Duchamp to the American public, revolutionizing the art scene and challenging traditional artistic conventions.
18 Feb 1913 Mexican Revolution: Madero and Pino Suárez Forced to Resign: During a critical moment in the Mexican Revolution, President Francisco I. Madero and Vice President José María Pino Suárez were compelled to resign. Following their resignation, Pedro Lascuráin briefly served as president before General Victoriano Huerta took control, signaling a dramatic political upheaval.
19 Feb 1913 Mexican Political Coup: General Victoriano Huerta stages a dramatic coup against President Madero, overthrowing the government with tacit support from the United States. Huerta proclaims himself Provisional President of Mexico and places Madero under guard at the national palace, marking a significant moment of political upheaval.
20 Feb 1913 Founding of Canberra: First Survey Peg: King O'Malley, a key figure in Australia's early political landscape, drove the first survey peg marking the commencement of work on constructing Canberra, which would become the national capital of Australia. This moment symbolized a significant step in the nation's planned development and governance.
21 Feb 1913 Ioannina Incorporated into Greece: On February 21, 1913, the city of Ioannina, a historically significant urban center in Epirus region, was officially incorporated into the Greek state following the conclusion of the Balkan Wars. This territorial acquisition marked a crucial moment in the expansion of modern Greece and represented a significant geopolitical shift in the Balkan Peninsula, reflecting the ongoing territorial reorganization after the decline of Ottoman imperial control.
22 Feb 1913 Assassination of Mexican President Francisco Madero: Mexican President Francisco Indalecio Madero was assassinated during a military coup, marking a critical turning point in the Mexican Revolution. At just 39 years old, Madero was killed by forces led by General Victoriano Huerta, who subsequently seized power and became the new president.
23 Feb 1913 Joseph Stalin Arrested and Exiled: Joseph Stalin is arrested by the Okhrana (Russian secret police) in Petrograd and subsequently exiled to Siberia, a pivotal moment in his early revolutionary activities.
24 Feb 1913 First Radio Transmission from Antarctica: On February 24, 1913, Douglas Mawson, leader of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, successfully sent the first radio transmission from the Antarctic continent. This groundbreaking communication marked a significant technological achievement in polar exploration, demonstrating the potential of wireless communication in one of the world's most remote and challenging environments. Mawson's transmission not only represented a milestone in communication technology but also highlighted the scientific advancements of early 20th-century polar expeditions.
25 Feb 1913 16th Amendment Ratification: The 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, legally authorizing the federal government to collect income tax directly from citizens. This landmark amendment fundamentally transformed the U.S. tax system and government revenue collection.
26 Feb 1913 Federico Luna Peralta Becomes Prime Minister of Peru: Federico Luna Peralta assumed the role of Prime Minister of Peru, marking a significant political transition in the country's governance during the early 20th century.
27 Feb 1913 Uneventful Day in 1913: While no major historical events were specifically documented for February 27, 1913, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many historical moments are not immediately recognized as important at the time of their occurrence. The early 20th century was a period of significant global transformation, with technological innovations, political shifts, and social changes happening rapidly.
28 Feb 1913 Devastating Dewey Hotel Fire in Omaha: A tragic fire erupted at the Dewey Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, resulting in the loss of at least 20 human lives. This catastrophic event highlighted the significant fire safety challenges and urban infrastructure vulnerabilities of the early 20th century, prompting subsequent improvements in building codes and emergency response protocols.