This Day In History, February 14th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on February 14th.
During the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of Kettle Creek takes place in 1779. In Georgia, Patriot militia forces defeat British loyalists.
Oregon is admitted as the 33rd state to the Union in 1859.
Arizona is admitted to the Union as the 48th state in 1912.
1929: The St. Valentine's Day Massacre occurs in Chicago, Illinois, with Al Capone's gang killing seven members of a rival gang.
1989: Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini issues a fatwa ordering the execution of British author Salman Rushdie for his novel "The Satanic Verses," which some Muslims considered blasphemous.
This Day In History, February 14th, 1779: The Battle of Kettle Creek takes place during the American Revolutionary War.
During the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of Kettle Creek was a significant military engagement. It happened on February 14, 1779, near the town of Washington, Georgia. Patriot militia forces, led by Colonel Andrew Pickens and Colonel John Dooly, defeated a group of British loyalists, who were attempting to recruit more supporters for the British cause in the South. The Patriots were successful in capturing weapons and supplies from the loyalists, which aided in increasing their own resources and strengthening their position in the ongoing conflict. The battle was a significant victory for the Patriots, and it helped to boost morale among their southern supporters.
1859: Oregon is admitted as the 33rd state in the United States.
On February 14, 1859, Oregon became the 33rd state to join the Union. Oregon's statehood process was lengthy, with settlers and political leaders in the region advocating for statehood for decades before it was finally granted. The Oregon Territory was established in 1848, and the region's population grew rapidly over the next decade as settlers moved west in search of new opportunities. The statehood movement gained traction in the 1850s, and after several failed attempts to gain Union admission, Congress finally passed the Oregon Statehood Bill in February 1859. With President James Buchanan's signature on the bill, Oregon became a state, with Salem as its capital.
1912: Arizona is admitted as the 48th state in the United States.
On February 14, 1912, Arizona became the 48th state to join the Union. Arizona's statehood process was lengthy, with residents of the region advocating for statehood for decades before it was finally granted. The Arizona Territory was established in 1863, and the region's population grew rapidly over the next several decades as settlers moved west in search of new opportunities. The statehood movement gained traction in the early twentieth century, and after several failed attempts to gain Union admission, Congress finally passed the Arizona Statehood Bill in June 1910. With President William Howard Taft's signature on the bill, Arizona became a state, with Phoenix as its capital.
1929: The St. Valentine's Day Massacre takes place in Chicago, Illinois.
The St. Valentine's Day Massacre was a notorious event that occurred in Chicago, Illinois on February 14, 1929. It was a gangland killing committed by members of Al Capone's criminal organization in an attempt to eliminate their rivals, the North Side Gang, led by George "Bugs" Moran. On that day, seven North Side Gang members were lured to a garage on North Clark Street by Capone's gang members dressed as police officers. The Capone gang members used machine guns to shoot and kill the North Side Gang members once they entered the garage. The killings were widely publicized and sparked public outrage, putting additional pressure on law enforcement to act.
1989: Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini issues a fatwa calling for the death of British author Salman Rushdie for his novel "The Satanic Verses".
On February 14, 1989, Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, or religious decree, ordering the execution of British novelist Salman Rushdie. Khomeini issued the fatwa in response to Rushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses," which some Muslims considered blasphemous. The novel sparked protests and controversy throughout the Islamic world, and Khomeini's fatwa was interpreted as a direct attack on free speech and expression. After the fatwa was issued, Rushdie went into hiding for several years, sparking a broader debate about the limits of free speech, the relationship between religion and art, and the role of censorship in society. Although the fatwa against Rushdie was eventually lifted in 1998, the controversy surrounding "The Satanic Verses Verses" and its impact on freedom of expression continue to be discussed and debated to this day.