Ten Memorable
February 14th Events
As compiled by pseudo-historian David L Lewis
496 – Feast of St Valentine established. Since then February 14th has been a day of celebration—though it has generally been less about religion, and more about romancing and spending money on some girl(s).
1477 – Earliest known Valentine was love letter written by Margery Brews to her fiancé John Paston. Referring to him as her “right well-beloved Valentine” she beseeches him to marry her despite fact she hasn't been able to convince her father to increase her dowry. [When us daddy’s no longer had to pay some guy to take a daughter off our hands came later.] Formal messages, or valentines, appeared in the 1500s, and by the late 1700s commercially printed cards were being used.
1849 – James Knox Polk was first serving President of United States to have his photograph taken. Not a particularly good start for commercial photography as it was blocked by Facebook and Polk was banned from Facebook 17 hours.
1899 – Voting machines approved for use in Federal elections. Also trademarked at the time was the word “rigged”.
1920 – League of Women Voters founded in Chicago. The 19th amendment which granted women right to vote wasn’t actually ratified until August 18th. Contrary to all Poll opinions at time, the Republic did not collapse.
1929 – Saint Valentine's Day Massacre: Seven people, six of them gangster rivals of Al Capone's gang, were murdered in Chicago. Unfortunately, the idea of celebrating Valentine’s Day in this manner did not catch on.
1949 – Parliament of Israel convened for first time, making official the state of war between Jews and the world which has been continuing since Abraham begat Ishmael.
1965 – Dated girl met two days before at Hodge’s Skating Rink. If I recall correctly we went to St. Louis Planetarium. Think her name was Kay something. Wonder whatever happened to her?
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