Good Morning! It’s Saturday, February 15, 2025. I am Dom Einhorn, your lead curator, and here are your insights into what makes this day in history relevant today. First time reading? Join our community of intellectually curious readers who explore the history behind every day. [Sign up here]

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Today in History

Marquee Event of the Day

> February 15, 1564: Italian philosopher, astronomer and mathematician, Galileo is born.

Why this matters: Galileo Galilei's life and legacy mark a transformative era in the history of science. His groundbreaking observations using the telescope not only challenged the prevailing geocentric view but also laid the foundation for modern empirical research and the scientific method. Despite facing severe opposition and personal peril, Galileo's unwavering commitment to observation and evidence-based reasoning catalyzed the shift toward a more rational, inquiry-driven approach to understanding the universe. His work continues to inspire scientific exploration and stands as a powerful symbol of intellectual courage and the pursuit of truth against entrenched dogma.

To learn more about Galileo, please take this special quiz.

Notable Events

• February 15, 1965 - Canada adopts maple leaf flag.

• February 15, 1898 - A massive explosion sank the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, killing over 260 crew members.

• February 15, 1933 - Unemployed bricklayer Giuseppe Zangara shouts, "Too many people are starving!" and fires at President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In partnership with Masters of Trivia 
Knowledge Gamified

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A recent New York Weekly article featured Dom Einhorn’s attempt to “Revolutionize Quizzing and Hyper-Targeted Advertising.” For transparency, Intelligent Games is the parent company of both the KRONIKL newsletter and Masters of Trivia, the quiz platform linked to many topics featured in this newsletter. An excerpt of the article reads:

Einhorn points to the company’s slogan to explain the value of Masters of Trivia’s platform. “Our slogan is ‘Knowledge Gamified’ and not ‘Gamified Knowledge’ for a good reason,” he explains. “We aim to educate and inform first and foremost, but we also know that most people need to be deeply engaged in the learning process. Hence, we added a heavy dose of entertainment and incentives to the mix.”

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Echoes in Time

Here are two events from February 15 that continue to resonate in the present day.

1. Event: February 15, 2003 - Millions protest the impending Iraq invasion in over 600 cities worldwide.

Lasting Significance: The global protests on February 15, 2003, against the impending Iraq invasion were among the largest anti-war demonstrations in history, uniting millions across more than 600 cities. This unprecedented mass mobilization highlighted widespread public opposition to military intervention, challenging government narratives and exposing deep divisions within international politics. While the protests ultimately failed to prevent the war, they underscored the power of grassroots activism and set a precedent for future global movements against war and government policies. The event also shaped political discourse, fueling skepticism about the justification for the Iraq War and influencing later debates on military interventions and foreign policy.

2. Event: February 15, 1989 - Under President Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union withdrew its final troops from Afghanistan, ending its occupation since 1979.

Lasting Significance: The Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989 marked a pivotal moment in Cold War history, signaling the failure of Soviet military intervention and the limits of its global influence. Often referred to as the "Soviet Union’s Vietnam," the costly and protracted conflict drained economic resources, eroded public confidence in the government, and accelerated internal unrest that contributed to the USSR’s eventual collapse in 1991. The withdrawal also left Afghanistan in a power vacuum, leading to a devastating civil war that ultimately facilitated the rise of the Taliban. On a global scale, the event reshaped geopolitical dynamics, emboldening U.S. foreign policy while reinforcing the shift away from direct superpower military engagements, influencing international interventions for decades to come.

In the Spotlight

Birthdays, Passings & Milestones
Highlighting the influential figures who were born or died on this day, along with their legacies.

• February 15, 2008 - Over five months after his plane vanished in Nevada, adventurer Steve Fossett was legally declared dead; his body was found later that year.

• February 15, 1954 - American cartoonist Matt Groening, creator of Life in Hell, The Simpsons, and Futurama, was born.

• February 15, 1820 - Susan B. Anthony, a leading women's suffrage advocate, is born in Adams, Massachusetts.

Science & Discovery

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• February 15, 1861 - English mathematician and philosopher Alfred North Whitehead, co-author of Principia Mathematica, is born in Ramsgate, England.

• February 15, 1493 - Christopher Columbus writes the first account of his voyage to the Americas in a letter to Luis de Santángel, who later published it.

• February 15, 1768 - Benjamin Jackson began manufacturing mustard in Philadelphia, marking the first production of mustard in America.

• February 15, 2001 - First draft of the complete human genome is published in the journal "Nature."

Today in Finance

Brought to you by Born2Invest.
Curated reads and interesting tidbits from the world of finance.

• February 15, 1916 - The New York Yankees purchase Frank "Home Run" Baker from the Athletics for $37,500.

• February 15, 1991 - Stock market volatility surges as Saddam Hussein hints at withdrawal, but Bush dismisses it as a "cruel hoax."

• February 15, 1995 - Dow Jones Industrial Average closes at a record 3,986.17.

• February 15, 2012 - The UK unemployment rate hits a 17-year high of 8.4%.

Today in Sports

Brought to you by The Hunslet Wolves, a new UK-based rugby franchise coached by the former defensive head coach of the French National Team, David Ellis.

• February 15, 1953 - Seventeen-year-old polio survivor, Tenley Albright of Boston, becomes the first American woman to win the world figure skating championship.

• February 15, 1961- All 18 members of the U.S. figure skating team perish in a plane crash in Berg-Kampenhout, Belgium.

• February 15, 2002 - The IOC finds evidence of fraud by a French judge and awards a second gold medal in pairs figure skating at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

• February 15, 1998 - After 20 years, Dale Earnhardt Sr. wins his first Daytona 500, NASCAR's season opener.

• February 15, 1978 - Leon Spinks defeated Muhammad Ali to win the world heavyweight boxing title.

In the Arts Today

• February 15, 1950 - Walt Disney's Cinderella premieres in theaters across the U.S.

• February 15, 1968 - Henry Lewis, 36, becomes the first Black conductor of a major U.S. orchestra, leading the New Jersey Symphony.

• February 15, 1927 - The silent film It premiered in U.S. theaters, making Clara Bow Hollywood's first “It girl.”

• February 15, 2016 - The 58th Grammy Awards honored Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran as Best Song and 1989 by Taylor Swift as Best Album.

The Rest of the Story

• February 15, 1903 - Toy store owner Morris Michtom debuts "Teddy bears" in his shop window.

• February 15, 1710 - Birth of Louis XV, king of France.

• February 15, 1936 -Adolf Hitler announced the construction of the Volkswagen Beetle, the "People's Car."

Quote of the Day

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Why KRONIKL? Inspired by the timeless concept of chronicles, KRONIKL is dedicated to bringing you the most intriguing, thought-provoking stories from this date. Culture, science, politics, and more — all condensed for a quick, insightful read that connects your present with our past.

*Disclosure: Masters of Trivia is a quiz platform founded by Dom Einhorn and owned by Intelligent Games LLC—the same company that brings you the KRONIKL newsletter.