1876Invention
Alexander Graham Bell patents telephone
Bell filed patent for telephone, hours before Elisha Gray.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Simon Pegg born (1970) and Freddie Highmore born (1992), 22 years apart.
1 / 4 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- 1970Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes OverHall of Fame◆
- 1991No Stupid Tricks For Smart-Set DogsThe New York Times◆
- 2022Twenty minutes of daily exercise may cut heart disease risk in over-70sThe Guardian◆
- 2013Al-Qaida strategy in north Africa revealed in document found in MaliThe Guardian◆
- 1852The Hospital for Sick Children, the first hospital in England to provide in-patient beds specifically for children, was founded in London.Wikipedia◆
- 1876Alexander Graham Bell applies for a patent for the telephone, as does Elisha Gray.Wikipedia◆
- 1852Great Ormond St Hospital for Sick Children, the first hospital in England to provide in-patient beds specifically for children, is founded in London.Wikipedia◆
- 1849In New York City, James Knox Polk becomes the first serving President of the United States to have his photograph taken.Wikipedia◆
- 1804Karađorđe leads the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire.Wikipedia◆
- 1778The United States flag is formally recognized by a foreign naval vessel for the first time, when French Admiral Toussaint-Guillaume Picquet de la Motte renders a nine gun salute to USS Ranger, commanded by John Paul Jones.Wikipedia◆
- 1556Having been declared a heretic and laicized by Pope Paul IV on 4 December 1555, Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer is publicly defrocked at Christ Church Cathedral.Wikipedia◆
- 1530Spanish conquistadores, led by Nuño de Guzmán, overthrow and execute Tangaxuan II, the last independent monarch of the Tarascan state in present-day central Mexico.Wikipedia◆
- 1130The troubled 1130 papal election exposes a rift within the College of Cardinals.Wikipedia◆
- 1014Pope Benedict VIII crowns Henry of Bavaria, King of Germany and of Italy, as Holy Roman Emperor.Wikipedia◆
- 1970Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes OverHall of Fame◆
- 1991No Stupid Tricks For Smart-Set DogsThe New York Times◆
- 2022Twenty minutes of daily exercise may cut heart disease risk in over-70sThe Guardian◆
- 2013Al-Qaida strategy in north Africa revealed in document found in MaliThe Guardian◆
- 1852The Hospital for Sick Children, the first hospital in England to provide in-patient beds specifically for children, was founded in London.Wikipedia◆
- 1876Alexander Graham Bell applies for a patent for the telephone, as does Elisha Gray.Wikipedia◆
- 1852Great Ormond St Hospital for Sick Children, the first hospital in England to provide in-patient beds specifically for children, is founded in London.Wikipedia◆
- 1849In New York City, James Knox Polk becomes the first serving President of the United States to have his photograph taken.Wikipedia◆
- 1804Karađorđe leads the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire.Wikipedia◆
- 1778The United States flag is formally recognized by a foreign naval vessel for the first time, when French Admiral Toussaint-Guillaume Picquet de la Motte renders a nine gun salute to USS Ranger, commanded by John Paul Jones.Wikipedia◆
- 1556Having been declared a heretic and laicized by Pope Paul IV on 4 December 1555, Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer is publicly defrocked at Christ Church Cathedral.Wikipedia◆
- 1530Spanish conquistadores, led by Nuño de Guzmán, overthrow and execute Tangaxuan II, the last independent monarch of the Tarascan state in present-day central Mexico.Wikipedia◆
- 1130The troubled 1130 papal election exposes a rift within the College of Cardinals.Wikipedia◆
- 1014Pope Benedict VIII crowns Henry of Bavaria, King of Germany and of Italy, as Holy Roman Emperor.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Freddie Highmore1992- Simon Pegg1970
- Frederick Douglass1818
14 February in history
6 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
1914Battle
Battle event - February 14
Historic battle event recorded on this date in 1914, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1914Invention
Invention event - February 14
Historic invention event recorded on this date in 1914, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1914Medical
Medical event - February 14
Historic medical event recorded on this date in 1914, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1914Tragedy
Tragedy event - February 14
Historic tragedy event recorded on this date in 1914, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1929Law
St Valentine's Day Massacre
Seven gang members murdered in Chicago garage during Prohibition era gang war.
Showing 1-6 of 6 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — February 14
1852 First everThe Hospital for Sick Children, the first hospital in England to provide in-patient beds specifically for children, was founded in London.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1876 Oddly trueAlexander Graham Bell applies for a patent for the telephone, as does Elisha Gray.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1852 First ever
Great Ormond St Hospital for Sick Children, the first hospital in England to provide in-patient beds specifically for children, is founded in London.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1849 First everIn New York City, James Knox Polk becomes the first serving President of the United States to have his photograph taken.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1804 First everKarađorđe leads the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2022The GuardianTwenty minutes of daily exercise may cut heart disease risk in over-70sLong-term study suggests 20-40 minutes a day can be protective, especially for people aged 70-75
Read on The Guardian →
2013The GuardianAl-Qaida strategy in north Africa revealed in document found in MaliIn apparently genuine manifesto, senior commander tells his men they tried to impose Islamic law too quickly
Read on The Guardian →- 1991The New York TimesNo Stupid Tricks For Smart-Set Dogs
As the producer of a comedy television program that over the years has featured dogs bowling, dogs balancing on rods,…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Verified Real · year hiddenPanda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
Source: Newspapers.comView clipping source
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1950
Weird history, same day
- 1852 First ever
The Hospital for Sick Children, the first hospital in England to provide in-patient beds specifically for children, was founded in London.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1876 Oddly true
Alexander Graham Bell applies for a patent for the telephone, as does Elisha Gray.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1852 First ever
Great Ormond St Hospital for Sick Children, the first hospital in England to provide in-patient beds specifically for children, is founded in London.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 14 February — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
3
1818Birth
Birth of Frederick Douglass
Abolitionist Frederick Douglass born into slavery in Maryland.
1970Birth
Simon Pegg born
Simon Pegg was born. English actor.
1992Birth
Freddie Highmore born
Freddie Highmore was born. English actor.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Assassinated
1948Death
Death of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse.
Suicide
30 BCDeath
Cleopatra dies
Cleopatra, queen of the ptolemaic kingdom, died on this day in 30 BC. Suicide (historically debated, asp bite). Remembered as: The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt.
Accident
2012Death
Whitney Houston dies
Whitney Houston, singer and actress, died on this day in 2012. Accidental drowning. Remembered as: One of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Suicide
1994Death
Kurt Cobain dies
Kurt Cobain, musician, died on this day in 1994. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Frontman of Nirvana, voice of a generation.
Suicide
1890Death
Vincent van Gogh dies
Vincent van Gogh, painter, died on this day in 1890. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Post-Impressionist whose work deeply influenced 20th-century art.
Famous birthdays
28 this weekToday · 14 February
- Freddie HighmoreEnglish actor (born 1992)Born 1992 · 34 years ago today
- Simon PeggEnglish actor (born 1970)Born 1970 · 56 years ago today
- Frederick DouglassAmerican abolitionist (1818–1895)Born 1818 · 208 years ago today
Coming up this week
Amber RileyAmerican actress and singer15 February · born 1986
Matt GroeningAmerican cartoonist and animator (born 1954)15 February · born 1954- BEBirth event - February 15Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1915, noted in15 February · born 1915
Galileo GalileiItalian physicist and astronomer (1564–1642)15 February · born 1564
The WeekndCanadian singer and songwriter (born 1990)16 February · born 1990
Elizabeth OlsenAmerican actress (born 1989)16 February · born 1989
Holiday14 February
Valentine's Day
Global cultural festival celebrating romantic love, friendship, and affection.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 14 February.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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