[Fact 1: The Day Before Valentine's Day]
February 13th holds the quirky title of being the day before the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's Day. This is the day when people rush to get their last-minute reservations and presents, making it one of the busiest days for florists, restaurants, and shops worldwide.
[Fact 2: Palindrome Day]
This may not happen every year, but February 13, 2020, was a palindrome day. Meaning, the date reads the same backward as forward in the format (MM-DD-YYYY). Such an event is rare and occurs only once in several lifetimes.
[Fact 3: World Radio Day]
February 13th is celebrated as World Radio Day. It was declared by UNESCO in 2011 and aims to raise awareness about the importance of radio, facilitate access to information through radio and enhance networking among broadcasters.
[Fact 4: Galentine’s Day]
Focusing on celebrating platonic love, Galentine's Day is observed on February 13. This holiday originates from the television show 'Parks and Recreation'. It's about 'ladies celebrating ladies', and it's marked by exchanging gifts and spending time together.
[Fact 5: Abstract Artist's Day of Birth]
February 13th is the birthday of Grant Wood, a famous American painter known for his paintings of the rural American Midwest. He is particularly recognized for his masterpiece "American Gothic," one of the most famous paintings in the history of American art.
[Fact 6: The Tragic Station Nightclub Fire]
It is also the infamous date of the Station Nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA. This tragic fire incident led to 100 deaths on February 13, 2003, increasing awareness about safety measures in public places.
[Fact 7: Rare Full Moons]
While it is not an annual phenomenon, when a full moon occurs on February 13, it is usually the second full moon of winter and is known as the "Snow Moon" due to heavy snowfall typically experienced during February in ancient times.
[Fact 8: Black Sabbath Released Their Debut Album]
In the realm of rock music, February 13 holds significant importance, as in 1970, Black Sabbath released their debut album, changing the course of hard rock music forever.
[Fact 9: Representation of Unlucky Number]
For those who are superstitious, the number 13 in February 13 may bring a sense of unease. In many cultures, 13 is considered an unlucky number, making the day potentially ominous for the excessively superstitious.
[Fact 10: Marco Polo Begins His Journey]
Legend has it that Marco Polo, the famed explorer, began his epic journey from Venice to Asia on February 13, 1291, marking the day as a significant date in the world of exploration.
[Fact 11: Tunisian Independence]
In Tunisia, February 13 is celebrated as the day of independence from France. This day marks the end of the French protectorate in Tunisia in 1956.
[Fact 12: Birth of a Tennis Star]
February 13 also marks the birth of World tennis champion, Peter Fleming. A former World No.1 doubles player, Fleming is renowned for being John McEnroe's usual partner, and together they won 52 doubles titles, of which seven were at Grand Slams.
[Fact 13: Abel Tasman's Disappointment]
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight New Zealand's South Island, but he had to leave on February 13, 1643, without setting foot on land due to hostility from the local Maori people.
[Fact 14: The Tragic Murder of a Rap Icon]
On February 13, 1996, rap legend Tupac Shakur released his fourth album 'All Eyez on Me.' Tragically, this would be the last album released before his untimely death later that same year.
[Fact 15: YouTube’s First Video]
On February 13, 2005, the first video was uploaded on YouTube by co-founder Jawed Karim. The video, titled 'Me at the zoo', marked the beginning of YouTube becoming a major platform for video sharing.
[Fact 16: Creation of the Eiffel Tower]
On February 13, 1887, the construction of one of the most iconic structures in the world, the Eiffel Tower, began in Paris, marked by the digging of its foundation.
[Fact 17: National Women's Institute Day, UK]
In the United Kingdom, February 13 marks the formation of the National Women's Institute in 1915. Till date, it remains an integral part of British culture, aiming to empower and educate women.
[Fact 18: Creation of PG-13 Rating]
On February 13, 1984, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) added the PG-13 rating, creating a new category for films that fall between PG content and R-rated content.
[Fact 19: Barcode Patent]
On February 13, 1940, the barcode was patented. This system of product identification revolutionized the retail industry and is still used in businesses across the world today.
[Fact 20: First Meeting of The Beatles and their Future Manager]
Arguably the most famous pop band in history, The Beatles met their future manager Brian Epstein for the first time in his Liverpool record store on February 13, 1961. This important meeting marked the beginning of The Beatles' journey to unprecedented worldwide fame.