I Want Butterscotch Day
National I Want Butterscotch Day is celebrated annually on February 15th, honoring the rich and creamy confection known as butterscotch. This day encourages enthusiasts to indulge in various butterscotch-flavored treats and appreciate its unique taste. Butterscotch is traditionally made by combining brown sugar and butter, and it may include additional ingredients such as cream, vanilla, and salt. This mixture is heated to create a smooth, caramel-like confection distinct from caramel, which typically uses white sugar. Butterscotch’s versatility allows it to be enjoyed in various forms, including candies, sauces, puddings, and baked goods.
Susan B. Anthony Day
Susan B. Anthony Day is observed annually on February 15, marking the birthday of Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906), a pioneering leader in the women’s suffrage movement. The day honors her contributions to women’s rights, abolitionism, and social reform in the United States. Susan B. Anthony was instrumental in the fight for women’s right to vote, co-founding the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) with Elizabeth Cady Stanton in 1869. She played a key role in advocating for what became the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920 (though she did not live to see it passed). In 1872, she was arrested for voting illegally in the U.S. presidential election, highlighting the injustice of voter suppression against women.
Gum Drop Day
National Gumdrop Day is celebrated annually on February 15, honoring the sweet, chewy, and colorful candy known as gumdrops. Gumdrops are sugar-coated, gelatin-based candies that come in a variety of flavors and colors. They have been around since at least the 19th century, with early mentions in confectionery history dating back to the 1800s. Often used in baking, decorating gingerbread houses, or simply enjoyed as a treat, gumdrops remain a nostalgic favorite. Some credit Percy Truesdell with improving the texture of gumdrops in the early 1900s, though their exact origins remain unclear.
Here are some significant historical events that took place on February 15 throughout history:
Historical Events
399 BC – Socrates is sentenced to death
The Greek philosopher Socrates was sentenced to die by drinking hemlock after being found guilty of corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety.
1879 – U.S. Congress allows women to practice law before the Supreme Court
Belva Ann Lockwood became the first woman to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court, paving the way for future female attorneys.
1898 – USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor
The USS Maine mysteriously exploded in Cuba, killing 260 American sailors. This event was a catalyst for the Spanish-American War, fueled by the slogan, “Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!”
1923 – King Tut’s burial chamber is opened
British archaeologist Howard Carter opened the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun (King Tut) in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, revealing one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of all time.
1933 – Assassination attempt on Franklin D. Roosevelt
In Miami, Florida, an Italian anarchist named Giuseppe Zangara attempted to assassinate President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt but missed, instead killing Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak.
1965 – Canada adopts the maple leaf flag
The current Canadian flag, featuring a red maple leaf, officially replaced the Union Jack and Red Ensign, becoming the national symbol.
2003 – Massive worldwide protests against the Iraq War
On February 15, 2003, millions of people across 600 cities worldwide participated in anti-war protests, opposing the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. It remains one of the largest global protests in history.
Notable Birthdays
1564 – Galileo Galilei – Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer.
1820 – Susan B. Anthony – American suffragist and women’s rights activist.
1946 – Clare Short – British politician and former Secretary of State for International Development.
1951 – Jane Seymour – British-American actress known for Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
1954 – Matt Groening – Creator of The Simpsons and Futurama.
Notable Deaths
1891 – William Tecumseh Sherman – Union general in the American Civil War.
1965 – Nat King Cole – American jazz musician and singer.
1988 – Richard Feynman – Nobel Prize-winning physicist known for quantum mechanics.
2005 – Arthur Miller – American playwright famous for The Crucible and Death of a Salesman.
