February 14 - The Day in History

February 14: General Interest 278: St. Valentine beheaded On February 14 around the year 278 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, was executed... read more American Revolution 1779 : Patriots defeat Loyalists at Kettle Creek http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/patriots-defeat-loyalists-at-kettle-creek Automotive 1867 : Toyota patriarch born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/toyota-patriarch-born Civil War 1864 : Union General Sherman enters Meridian, Mississippi http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sherman-enters-meridian-mississippi Cold War 1989 : Sandinistas agree to free elections http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sandinistas-agree-to-free-elections Crime 1929 : The St. Valentine's Day Massacre http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-st-valentines-day-massacre Disaster 2000 : Tornadoes sweep through southern Georgia http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/tornadoes-sweep-through-southern-georgia General Interest 1779 : Captain Cook killed in Hawaii http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/captain-cook-killed-in-hawaii 1929 : Valentine's Day Massacre takes place http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/valentines-day-massacre 1929 : Penicillin discovered http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/penicillin-discovered Hollywood 1938 : Hedda Hopper's first column appears in the L.A. Times http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hedda-hoppers-first-column-appears-in-the-la-times Literary 1842 : The Boz Ball celebrates Dickens http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-boz-ball-celebrates-dickens Music 1977 : The B-52's play their first gig http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-b-5239s-play-their-first-gig Old West 1886 : First trainload of oranges leaves Los Angeles http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-trainload-of-oranges-leaves-los-angeles Presidential 1884 : Theodore Roosevelt's wife and mother die http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/theodore-roosevelts-wife-and-mother-die Sports 1988 : Olympic speed skater Jansen falls after sister dies http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/olympic-speed-skater-jansen-falls-after-sister-dies Vietnam War 1962 : Kennedy authorizes U.S. advisors to fire in self-defense http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/kennedy-authorizes-us-advisors-to-fire-in-self-defense 1970 : Gallup Poll released http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/gallup-poll-released World War I 1919 : Wilson presents draft covenant for League of Nations http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/wilson-presents-draft-covenant-for-league-of-nations World War II 1943 : Battle of the Kasserine Pass http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-the-kasserine-pass