1. On February 14, 1859, the U.S. Patent Office issued the first patent for a corn planter to John Henry Manny of Rockford, Illinois. This invention revolutionized agriculture and made it possible for farmers to plant crops quickly and efficiently.
2. In 1929, on February 14th, the infamous Saint Valentine's Day Massacre occurred in Chicago. Gangster Al Capone's men disguised themselves as police officers and killed seven members of rival Bugs Moran's gang in a garage in the city's North Side.
3. One of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history struck the Midwest on February 14, 1896, killing an estimated 300 people, including many in Illinois. The disaster remains one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit the state.
4. On February 14, 1779, Colonel George Rogers Clark of Virginia captured the British-held Fort Sackville in what is now Vincennes, Indiana. This battle gave the Americans control of the western frontier and secured the Illinois country for the United States.
5. In 1966, on February 14th, the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced that former Chicago Cubs player and manager Frank Chance had been elected. Chance led the Cubs to two World Series championships in 1907 and 1908 and was known for his skill as a player and his innovative coaching style.
5 Fun Facts About February 14 In Illinois History
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