We take a look at some of the events that occurred on February 14th.

Today In …

1859 - Oregon officially became the 33rd U.S. state.

1886 - The inaugural shipment of oranges from Los Angeles to the east via the transcontinental railroad began today.

1895 - Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” opened on the London stage.

1903 - The U.S. Department of Commerce and Labor was founded.

1912 - Arizona officially became the 48th U.S. state.

1919 - The United Parcel Service a.k.a. UPS was established.

1924 - International Business Machines or IBM was established today.

1929 - The infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre occurred in Chicago, Illinois.

1929 - Alexander Fleming introduced his discovery of penicillin.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Jack Benny, famed actor and comedian, was born in 1894.

Drew Bledsoe quarterback in the National Football League, was born in 1972.

Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City, was born in 1942.

Enrico Colantoni the actor who starred in “Galaxy Quest” and on TV’s “Just Shoot Me” was born in 1963.

Frederick Douglass, the famed abolitionist was born in 1818. (Some reports differ on his birthday but February 14th is usually regarded as the date.)

Hugh Downs the TV host best known for “20/20” was born in 1921.

George Ferris was born in 1859. What did he invent that most people enjoy throughout the world? The Ferris Wheel!

Winfield Scott Hancock the Major General of the Union Army during the Civil War, was born in 1824.

Florence Henderson, singer/entertainer/actress who is probably best known for her work on TV’s “The Brady Bunch” was born in 1934.

Freddie Highmore star of such films as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Finding Neverland” was born in 1992.

Gregory Hines, the actor and accomplished dancer who starred in “Running Scared”, was born in 1946.

Jimmy Hoffa, the infamous Teamsters leader, was born in 1913.

Brian Kelly who is probably best known for playing the dad on TV’s “Flipper” was born in 1931.

Jim Kelly former NFL Quarterback was born in 1960.

Steve McNair NFL quarterback was born in 1973.

Vic Morrow star of the 1970’s “Bad News Bears” was born in 1929. Morrow, who was killed with two fellow actors on the set of “Twilight Zone: The Movie”, is the father of Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Simon Pegg star of such movies as “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” was born in 1970.

Pat O’Brien, host of TV’s “The Insider” was born in 1948.

Thelma Ritter who appeared in such movies as “Miracle on 34th St.” and “Rear Window” was born in 1905.

Anna Howard Shaw, the women’s rights activist, was born in 1847.

Teller, who, with partner Penn Jillette, makes up the comedy/magical team of Penn & Teller, was born in 1948.

Rob Thomas, lead singer of Matchbox 20 and solo artist was born in 1972.

Meg Tilly who starred in such movies as “Agnes of God” was born in 1960.

Paul Tsongas former politician from Massachusetts was born in 1941.

We Said Goodbye To…

James Cook, the famous explorer who “discovered” the Hawaiian Islands, was killed in 1779 at the age of 50.

Dolly, the first cloned sheep, died in 2003 at the age of 6.

Alice Roosevelt, first wife of Theodore Roosevelt, passed away in 1884 of Bright’s Disease days after the birth of their daughter. She was 22.

Martha Roosevelt, mother of Theodore Roosevelt, passed away in 1884 at the age of 49 from Typhoid.

William Tecumseh Sherman, the Union General in the Civil War, passed away in 1891 at the age of 71.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1987 - “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi

Musical Moments In…

1967 - Aretha Franklin recorded her legendary song “Respect”.

TV Moments In…

1962 - Jacqueline Kennedy took viewers on a tour of the White House.

1972 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin their one week hosting stint for the “Mike Douglas Show”.

1980 - CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite announced his retirement. Dan Rather would be the next anchor of the news broadcast.

Special Observances

Today is officially Valentine’s Day!