February 14th

The TV game show 'Jeopardy!' began airing the first of three episodes pitting human players Brad Rutter and Ken Jennings against an IBM computer named 'Watson.'.

A former student shot five students to death in a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University before committing suicide.

Iran said it had resumed uranium enrichment, prompting Russia and France to call on Tehran to halt its work.

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated.

Dolly the sheep - the first mammal cloned from an adult - was put to death at age 6 due to premature aging and disease.

The Kansas Board of Education reversed its 1999 ruling and restored evolution to the state's science curriculum.

Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini called on Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie, author of 'The Satanic Verses,' a novel Khomeini condemned as blasphemous.

Adolph Dubs, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, was kidnapped in Kabul by Muslim extremists and killed in a shootout between his abductors and police.

First lady Jacqueline Kennedy conducted a televised tour of the White House.

The Knesset, the parliament of Israel, convenes for the first time. The term “Knesset” is derived from the Hebrew name of an ancient Great Assembly: Anshei Knesset HaGedolah.

St Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago, 7 gangsters killed, allegedly on Al Capone's orders.

The League of Women Voters was founded in Chicago.

Arizona became the 48th state in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Commerce and Labor was established.

Oscar Wilde's final play, 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' opened at the St. James' Theatre in London.

A G Bell & Elisha Gray apply separately for telephone patents Supreme Court eventually rules Bell rightful inventor.

Oregon was admitted to the Union as the 33rd state.

The Battle of Cape St Vincent: British fleet under Admiral Sir John Jervis defeats larger Spanish fleet under Admiral Don José de Córdoba y Ramos near Cape St. Vincent, Portugal. Captain Horatio Nelson distinguishes himself.

Pope Gregory VII excommunicates Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV (for the 1st time).

Pope Benedict VIII crowns Henry II Roman German Emperor.