February 10th - 16th
On 10th February…
On 11th February…
1990 - Having been imprisoned in South Africa for 27 years, Nelson Mandela, was released. Mandela fought for the end of apartheid and for equal rights for black people in South Africa. In 1964, after a long court trial called the Rivonia Trial, he was found guilty of sabotage, treason and violent conspiracy and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Just four years after his release, Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa (1994-1999).
On 12th February…
1809 - Abraham Lincoln was born. He was one of America’s most admired presidents and is most recognised by his tall, black, top hat. Did you know that he only went to school for one year?
On 13th February…
1692 - The MacDonalds of Glencoe were massacred for not promptly pledging an allegiance to King William III and Queen Mary II. Many Scottish clans had remained faithful to King James II when he had been deposed and replaced by his daughter and her husband. The government had offered safety to everyone who took an oath of allegiance before 1st January 1692 otherwise they could be arrested and face charges of treason. Most chiefs of the clans had taken the oath, but Alexander MacDonald had waited until the last minute but was then unable to take the oath because there was no magistrate to witness it. So, despite their acceptance of the new monarchy, the MacDonalds had missed the deadline and because of that, the Secretary of State for Scotland issued an order for military punishment of the clan. Many managed to escape but 33 men, 2 women and 2 children were murdered by soldiers at Glencoe.
On 14th February…
270CE - Valentine, a holy priest was executed for defying Roman Emperor Claudius II’s ban on all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine felt that the ruling was unfair and continued to perform secret marriages for young couples. After his death Valentine was named a saint, we now call this day St Valentine’s Day in honour of his memory. (This is just one story of how Valentine’s Day became, there are many different legends and at least three different identities to Valentine.)
On 15th February…
1903 - The first teddy bears went on sale in a shop in America. The toy was named after the American President Theodore Roosevelt who had refused to shoot a captive bear on a hunting trip. On hearing the story, a sweet-shop owner and his wife who also made and sold stuffed animals in their store decided to make some stuffed bears and dedicate them to the President. They called them ‘Teddy’s bear’.