Calendar: February 2024
-
Monday 29
Foggy weather in 1959
Thick fog – the worst for seven years – brought road, rail and air transport in many parts of England and Wales to a standstill.
-
Tuesday 30
Charles I beheaded
King Charles I was beheaded on this day in 1649.
-
Wednesday 31
Seat belt legislation introduced
On this day in 1983, all drivers and front seat passengers were, by law, required to wear seat belts. Later, in 1991, it became compulsory for back seat passengers to also wear seat belts.
-
Thursday 01
Oxford English Dictionary
On this day in 1884, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), considered the most comprehensive and accurate dictionary of the English language, was first published.
-
Friday 02
-
Saturday 03
1924 Winter Olympics
The first Winter Olympics took place in February 1924.
-
Sunday 04
Rosa Parks' birthday
American civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger, born in Tuskegee, Alabama 1913.
-
Monday 05
Royal Greenwich Observatory
In 1924 The Royal Greenwich Observatory began broadcasting the hourly time signals known as the Greenwich Time Signal or the “BBC pips”.
-
Tuesday 06
Queen Elizabeth II takes the throne
Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in February 1952.
-
Wednesday 07
Charles Dickens's birthday
The famous author of many works including ‘Oliver Twist’ was born on this day in 1812.
-
Thursday 08
Jules Verne - writer of 'Around the World in 80 Days' - was born
In 1828 Jules Verne, the writer of ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, was born in Nantes, France.
-
Friday 09
Sol-Monath
The Anglo-Saxons called February Sol-Monath (meaning cake month) because it was the month when cakes were offered to their gods.
-
Saturday 10
Paris Peace Treaties
The Paris Peace Treaties were signed on this date in 1947.
-
Sunday 11
Nelson Mandela released from prison
Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 after 27 years.
-
Monday 12
Charles Darwin birthday
Charles Darwin – the naturalist who first described the process of evolution was born on this day in 1809. ‘On the Origin of Species’ was published in 1859.
-
Tuesday 13
Galileo Galilei put on trial
Galileo Galilei was put on trial for professing his belief that Earth revolves around the Sun.
-
Wednesday 14
St Valentine's Day
A day to celebrate love and friendship.
-
Thursday 15
English Decimal Currency
On this day in 1971 decimal currency was introduced to Britain.
-
Friday 16
-
Saturday 17
Michael Jordan's birthday
The famous basketball player was born on this day in 1963.
-
Sunday 18
Terry Pratchett received a knighthood
On this day in 2009, English fantasy author Terry Pratchett receives a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
-
Monday 19
Thomas Edison patented the phonograph
Thomas Edison patented the phonograph on this day in 1878. It was the first device for recording and playing back sounds.
-
Tuesday 20
Edward VI crowned the King of England
On this day, in 1547, Edward VI was crowned the King of England at the age of nine in Westminster Abbey.
-
Wednesday 21
First self-propelling steam locomotive
The first self-propelling steam locomotive had its premier outing at the Pen-y-Darren ironworks in Wales.
-
Thursday 22
World Thinking Day
Today is Thinking Day for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. World Thinking Day has taken place on every 22 February since 1926.
-
Friday 23
The Angel of the North
The Angel of the North by Antony Gormley, a steel sculpture 20m tall, was installed in northern England in February 1998.
-
Saturday 24
Steve Jobs' birthday
Steve Jobs was the founder of the company Apple Inc.
-
Sunday 25
Sir Christopher Wren
Sir Christopher Wren, British architect, astronomer and geometrician, died this day in 1723.
-
Monday 26
Charlie Chaplin became highest paid entertainer
In 1916 The Mutual Film Company signed Chaplin for a film contract – making him the highest-paid entertainer in the world at this time.
-
Tuesday 27
Tiger Woods became youngest PGA golfer in 35 years
In 1992 Tiger Woods, aged 16, became the youngest PGA golfer in 35 years.
-
Wednesday 28
Discovery of the chemical structure of DNA
In 1953 Francis Crick and James Watson discovered the chemical structure of DNA – the instructions that control the cells that make up all living things.
-
Thursday 29
-
Friday 01
St David's Day
Today is St David’s Day. The Patron Saint of Wales’ symbols include daffodils and leeks.
-
Saturday 02
-
Sunday 03