1809⚡ Event
Abraham Lincoln born
The 16th President of the United States is born in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky.
politics
This Week in History: Week 7
February 12 – February 18
Over 116 historical moments took place during these 7 days of the calendar year. Explore our curated digest of the most world-changing events, iconic births, and notable deaths.
Explore the Full Daily Timelines
Major Events (February 12 – February 18)(20)
1818⚡ Event
Chile proclaims independence
Chile formally proclaims its independence from Spain, securing its place as a sovereign nation in South America.
politicswar
1898⚡ Event
USS Maine Explodes
The USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana Harbor, Cuba. This event significantly contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
war
1924⚡ Event
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue premieres
George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue premieres at Aeolian Hall in New York City, blending classical and jazz music.
musicarts
1973⚡ Event
First release of American prisoners from Hanoi
The first group of American prisoners of war is released from North Vietnam following the Paris Peace Accords.
warpolitics
1987⚡ Event
Operation Pretense Corruption Indictments
Federal agents issued indictments against county supervisors in Mississippi following Operation Pretense. The operation exposed massive corruption in the state's local governments.
lawpolitics
1991⚡ Event
Gulf War Bombing of Baghdad Shelter
The United States Air Force dropped two laser-guided bombs on an air-raid shelter in Baghdad, killing at least 408 civilians. The site was believed to be a military command site.
warpolitics
1992⚡ Event
Sri Temasek Declared National Monument
Sri Temasek, the official residence of the prime minister of Singapore, was declared a national monument.
politics
1994⚡ Event
The Scream stolen
Edvard Munch's painting The Scream was stolen from the National Gallery of Norway.
arts
2001⚡ Event
NEAR Shoemaker lands on Eros
The NASA space probe NEAR Shoemaker touched down on Eros, becoming the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid.
spacesciencetechnology
2003⚡ Event
Bolivian riots end
Protesters in La Paz and the Bolivian government brokered a deal to end two days of rioting against a proposed salary tax.
politics
2005⚡ Event
YouTube Founded
The online video platform YouTube was founded by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim.
technologyentertainment
2007⚡ Event
Zahedan Bombings
The first of several bombings in Zahedan, Iran, killed 18 members of the Revolutionary Guards.
politicsdisaster
2008⚡ Event
Northern Illinois University Shooting
A gunman opened fire into a crowded lecture hall at Northern Illinois University, killing five people and injuring twenty-one others.
disaster
2009⚡ Event
Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash
Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashes into a house in Clarence Center, New York, killing all 49 people on board and the house's occupant.
disaster
2010⚡ Event
Pune bombing
A terrorist bombing at a bakery popular among foreigners in Pune, India, killed 17 people and injured 60 others.
disasterpolitics
2011⚡ Event
Bahraini Uprising Begins
On the Day of Rage, Bahraini youths began an uprising against the government in 55 marches across 25 locations.
politics
2012⚡ Event
First Vega rocket launch
The first Vega rocket was launched by the European Space Agency from the Guiana Space Centre.
spacetechnology
2016⚡ Event
Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill meet
In the first meeting between the leaders of the Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow signed the Havana Declaration at José Martí International Airport in Cuba.
religion
2017⚡ Event
Assassination of Kim Jong-nam
Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was assassinated using VX nerve agent in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
politicslaw
Famous Birthdays This Week(15)
1809🎂 Birth
Charles Darwin born
English naturalist Charles Darwin is born in Shrewsbury. His theory of evolution fundamentally changed biology.
science
1809🎂 Birth
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky. He would later become the 16th President of the United States.
politics
1809🎂 Birth
Charles Darwin
English naturalist and biologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution.
science
2000🎂 Birth
Kim Ji-min
Kim Ji-min, a South Korean actress, was born on February 12, 2000.
entertainment
2001🎂 Birth
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a Georgian footballer, was born on February 12, 2001.
sports
Notable Deaths This Week(15)
2000🕊️ Death
Charles Schulz dies
American cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip, dies in Santa Rosa, California.
artsentertainment
2017🕊️ Death
Ricardo Arias Calderón
Ricardo Arias Calderón, a Panamanian politician, died at the age of 84.
politics
2018🕊️ Death
Prince Henrik of Denmark
Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark, died at the age of 83. He was a French-born Danish royal.
politics
2018🕊️ Death
Ruud Lubbers
Ruud Lubbers was a Dutch politician and diplomat, serving as Prime Minister and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
politicslaw
2020🕊️ Death
Christie Blatchford
Christie Blatchford was a Canadian newspaper columnist, journalist, and broadcaster.
literatureentertainment
2021🕊️ Death
Carlos Menem
Carlos Menem was an Argentine former president, lawyer, and statesman.
politics
2021🕊️ Death
William Meninger
William Meninger was an American Trappist monk and a principal developer of Centering Prayer.
religionphilosophy
2022🕊️ Death
Ivan Reitman
Ivan Reitman was a Slovak-Canadian actor, director, and producer.
entertainment
Trending Topics This Week
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