From a martyred priest in ancient Rome to the birth of YouTube and a cinematic masterpiece, February 14 has witnessed moments that shaped culture, technology and entertainment across centuries.
St. Valentine remembered
Valentine’s Day marks the feast day of Saint Valentine, a priest and physician who was martyred around 270 CE in Rome. According to legend, he signed a farewell letter to his jailer’s daughter, with whom he had fallen in love, “from your Valentine,” a phrase that continues to echo through love notes and greeting cards today.
Comedy legend Jack Benny was born (1894)
In 1894, comedian Jack Benny was born in Chicago. Known for his impeccable timing and distinctive comedic style, he became a legendary figure in both radio and television.
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ENIAC unveiled (1946)
In 1946, the first general-purpose high-speed electronic digital computer, ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), was demonstrated publicly by its creators J. Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly. The machine marked a turning point in computing history, laying the groundwork for the digital age.
The Silence of the Lambs premiered (1991)
The psychological thriller The Silence of the Lambs premiered in US theatres in 1991. The film went on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, Best Actress for Jodie Foster, and Best Director for Jonathan Demme, cementing its status as a modern classic.
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YouTube was born (2005)
In 2005, Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim registered YouTube, a platform that would go on to transform digital culture. Just over a year later, it was acquired by Google for $1.65 billion in stock, a deal that reshaped the internet video landscape.
