previous year1909
1910191119121913191419151916191719181919
1920next year

Major Events of February 1914: 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 1914 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of February 1914: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Feb 1914 Tanganyika Railway Inaugurates Operations: The Tanganyika Railway commenced operations, significantly improving transportation infrastructure in East Africa during the colonial period. This railway was crucial for economic development and colonial administration in the region.
  • 02 Feb 1914 Charlie Chaplin's Film Debut: Charles Chaplin, who would become one of the most iconic figures in cinema history, makes his first film appearance in the comedy short 'Making a Living'. This marks the beginning of Chaplin's legendary career in the silent film era, which would revolutionize comedy and cinema worldwide.
  • 03 Feb 1914 Birth of Cornelis 'Kees' Andrta: Cornelis 'Kees' Andrta was born, a notable Dutch artist who worked across multiple creative disciplines including painting, graphic art, and carpet design. His versatile artistic talents would contribute to the early 20th-century Dutch art scene.
  • 04 Feb 1914 Formation of United Suffragists: The United Suffragists organization was founded in Great Britain, representing a significant moment in the women's suffrage movement and the ongoing struggle for women's voting rights.
  • 05 Feb 1914 Alan Lloyd Hodgkin: Nobel Prize-Winning British Scientist: Alan Lloyd Hodgkin was a distinguished British physiologist and biophysicist who made groundbreaking contributions to understanding nerve cell membrane electrical properties. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on the mechanism of nerve impulse transmission, particularly the ionic basis of action potentials.
  • 06 Feb 1914 Swedish Farmers' Defense Spending Protest: On February 6, 1914, a massive protest march of 32,000 farmers converged at Stockholm Palace, demonstrating against the Liberal government led by Prime Minister Karl Staaff. The protesters, primarily organized by Conservative political factions, demanded increased defense expenditures, reflecting the growing geopolitical tensions in Europe during the pre-World War I period. This significant demonstration highlighted the deep political divisions within Swedish society and the mounting concerns about national security in an increasingly volatile continental landscape.
  • 07 Feb 1914 Charlie Chaplin's Tramp Character Debuts: Charlie Chaplin first appears as his iconic character 'The Tramp' in the Keystone Studios film 'Kid Auto Races at Venice', marking a pivotal moment in cinema history and launching one of the most recognizable characters in film.
  • 08 Feb 1914 Haiti Presidential Transition: General Zamon assumes the presidency of Haiti, marking a significant political leadership change in the Caribbean nation during the early 20th century.
  • 09 Feb 1914 Max Manus: Norwegian Resistance Hero: Max Manus was a prominent Norwegian resistance fighter during World War II, known for his courageous sabotage operations against Nazi occupation forces. He became one of the most famous resistance members in Norway, actively fighting against German forces and playing a crucial role in undermining Nazi control during the occupation.
  • 10 Feb 1914 Colombia's First Direct Presidential Election Since 1860: Colombia held its first direct presidential election since 1860, with José Vicente Concha of the Colombian Conservative Party winning a landslide victory against Nicolás Esguerra of the Liberal-Republican Party. Concha secured 89 percent of the vote and was set to take office in August, marking a significant moment in Colombian democratic development.
  • 11 Feb 1914 High-Profile Divorce of Clarence Mackay and Katherine Mackay: Clarence Mackay, prominent president of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company, and his wife Katherine were granted a divorce in Paris, France. This event highlights the social dynamics and marital challenges among wealthy American business elites in the early 20th century.
  • 12 Feb 1914 Lincoln Memorial Construction Begins: On February 12, 1914, the first cornerstone of the Lincoln Memorial was ceremonially placed in Washington, D.C., marking the official start of construction for this iconic national monument honoring President Abraham Lincoln. The memorial, designed by architect Henry Bacon, would take nearly a decade to complete and would become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States.
  • 13 Feb 1914 ASCAP Established to Protect Musical Copyrights: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) was founded in New York City to protect and manage the intellectual property rights of musical creators. This organization would become a crucial institution in ensuring fair compensation and legal protection for composers, songwriters, and music publishers across the United States.
  • 14 Feb 1914 Formation of High Council of Labor in The Hague: On February 14, 1914, the High Council of Labor was established in The Hague, Netherlands. This significant labor organization aimed to provide a formal platform for discussing workers' rights, labor policies, and industrial relations during a period of significant social and economic transformation in Europe.
  • 15 Feb 1914 Oscar Mathisen Wins Fifth World Speed Skating Championship: Norwegian speed skater Oscar Mathisen achieved a remarkable milestone by winning his fifth World Allround Speed Skating Championship at Frogner Stadium in Oslo, Norway. This victory further solidified his status as a dominant athlete in the sport during the early 20th century.
  • 16 Feb 1914 First Airplane Flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles: A pioneering aviation milestone occurred when the first airplane successfully completed a flight route between San Francisco and Los Angeles, marking a significant moment in early 20th-century transportation and demonstrating the growing capabilities of aircraft technology.
  • 17 Feb 1914 Albert Westerlinck - Flemish Literary Figure: Albert Westerlinck was a notable Flemish literary figure, recognized for his contributions to Belgian literature in the early 20th century. The reference to [JosT J M Aerts] suggests a potential connection or reference to another literary personality of the time.
  • 18 Feb 1914 German Naval Blockade of Great Britain: During World War I, Germany initiated a comprehensive naval blockade of Great Britain, attempting to disrupt maritime trade and weaken the British war effort. This strategic naval operation was part of Germany's broader unrestricted submarine warfare campaign, which aimed to cut off critical supply lines and potentially force Britain into submission.
  • 19 Feb 1914 Southern California Flood Disaster: Torrential rains caused massive flooding across seven counties in Southern California, resulting in two fatalities and significant property damage. The extreme weather event highlighted the region's vulnerability to sudden, intense precipitation and its potential destructive impact.
  • 20 Feb 1914 John Daly: South African Television Pioneer: John Daly was a prominent South African television personality best known for hosting the popular game show 'What's My Line?'. He played a significant role in early television broadcasting, helping to entertain and engage audiences during the emerging era of television entertainment.
  • 21 Feb 1914 Battle of Verdun Begins: The Battle of Verdun, one of the longest and most devastating battles of World War I, commences between French and German forces in northeastern France. Over the next 10 months, the battle will become a brutal symbol of the war's attrition, with both sides suffering massive casualties. Approximately 700,000 soldiers will be killed or wounded, making it one of the bloodiest engagements in human history. The battle represents a critical moment in World War I, where strategic objectives gave way to a grueling war of attrition that would fundamentally reshape modern warfare.
  • 22 Feb 1914 Birth of Renato Dulbecco, Nobel Laureate Virologist: Renato Dulbecco was born on February 22, 1914, in Catanzaro, Italy. He would later become a pioneering virologist who made groundbreaking contributions to understanding how viruses interact with host cells. In 1975, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his fundamental research on the genetic mechanisms of viral cancer development, which significantly advanced our understanding of cancer formation and viral pathogenesis.
  • 23 Feb 1914 Bulgarian Parliamentary Elections of 1914: On February 23, 1914, parliamentary elections were held in Bulgaria. The Liberal Concentration, a political alliance comprising the Liberal Party, the People's Party, and the National Liberal Party, secured a majority of seats in the national legislature. This election represented a significant moment in Bulgaria's pre-World War I political landscape, reflecting the complex multi-party dynamics of the young Balkan kingdom.
  • 24 Feb 1914 Pancho Villa's Controversial Action: Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa escalates tensions with the British Empire by refusing to return the body of William S. Benton, a British rancher killed during a raid. This incident highlights the volatile political and diplomatic climate of revolutionary Mexico, potentially straining international relations.
  • 25 Feb 1914 Birth of John Arlott, Cricket Commentator and Writer: John Arlott was born on February 25, 1914, and would go on to become one of the most celebrated and influential cricket commentators and writers in the history of the sport. Known for his poetic and eloquent style of commentary, Arlott transformed sports broadcasting with his rich, descriptive language and deep understanding of cricket. He was renowned for his ability to bring the game to life through his words, making cricket accessible and engaging to a wide audience.
  • 26 Feb 1914 Launch of HMHS Britannic: The HMHS Britannic, sister ship to the ill-fated RMS Titanic, was launched at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This Olympic-class ocean liner was initially designed as a passenger ship but was later converted to serve as a hospital ship during World War I. Tragically, like her sister ship Titanic, Britannic would also meet a dramatic end, sinking in the Aegean Sea in 1916 after striking a naval mine.
  • 27 Feb 1914 Uneventful Day in Early 20th Century: While no specific major historical events were recorded for February 27, 1914, this period was part of a critical time leading up to World War I. Europe was experiencing significant political tensions, with major powers positioning themselves diplomatically and militarily. The world was on the brink of a transformative global conflict that would reshape international relations and human history.
  • 28 Feb 1914 Proclamation of Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus: On February 28, 1914, ethnic Greeks in southern Albania proclaimed the establishment of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus in Gjirokaster. This declaration was a significant political move reflecting the complex ethnic tensions in the Balkan region during the early 20th century, following the resolution of the Balkan Wars.