What happened on February 14 in world history? Here are 4 events worth remembering: See them above in our 57-second video, and below for more details!
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Oscar Pistorius is charged with murder
South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius was charged with the murder of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in a case that shocked the world.
- On February 14, 2013, Pistorius fatally shot Steenkamp through a bathroom door in his home, claiming he mistook her for an intruder.
- The case gripped international audiences, with Pistorius initially convicted of culpable homicide, which was later upgraded to murder on appeal.
- After multiple legal battles, he was ultimately sentenced to 13 years and 5 months in prison.
Alexander Fleming discovers Penicillin
Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming made a groundbreaking medical discovery when he found the world’s first antibiotic—penicillin.
- Fleming noticed that mold from the genus Penicillium had killed surrounding bacteria in a petri dish.
- This discovery led to the development of antibiotics, saving millions of lives from bacterial infections.
- By World War II, penicillin was being widely used, marking the beginning of the antibiotic era.
Saint Valentine, Roman bishop and martyr, is executed
Saint Valentine, the namesake of Valentine’s Day, was executed by the Roman Empire, and his legacy became intertwined with romance.
- Valentine was allegedly martyred for defying Emperor Claudius II’s ban on performing marriages for soldiers.
- Some stories suggest he secretly wed couples or sent affectionate notes from prison, inspiring modern Valentine’s Day traditions.
- He was later canonized, and February 14 became a day associated with love and devotion.
YouTube is launched
YouTube, the world’s most popular video-sharing platform, was founded by three former PayPal employees, revolutionizing online content creation.
- The site was launched on February 14, 2005, with its first video, Me at the Zoo, uploaded in April.
- YouTube quickly became a hub for user-generated content, music videos, and viral sensations.
- Acquired by Google in 2006, YouTube now boasts billions of users and influences media, culture, and entertainment worldwide.