February 18

Scott Winters February 18, 2026 0 Comments

A quick look at Today in History, check out some Celebrity Birthdays, and find out what Days of the Year to celebrate.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1815 – Mackinac Island returned to United States possession as the Treaty of Ghent went into effect. The treaty marked the official end of the War of 1812.

1841 – The first continuous filibuster in the U.S. Senate began. It lasted until March 11th.

1861 – In Montgomery, AL, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the President of the Confederate States.

1885 – Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was published in the U.S. for the first time.

1929 – The first Academy Awards winners were announced. There was no ceremony, the Oscar winners were revealed in a newsletter.

1930 – Elm Farm Ollie became the first cow to fly in an airplane and also the first cow to be milked in an aircraft.

1930 – Clyde Tombaugh discovered the planet Pluto. The discovery was made as a result of photographs taken in January 1930.

1953 – “Bwana Devil” opened. It was the first 3-D movie.

1953 – Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz signed a contract worth $8,000,000 to continue television’s “I Love Lucy” show through 1955.

1977 – The Space Shuttle Enterprise went on its maiden “flight” sitting on top of a Boeing 747.

1977 – Karl Thomas, a then 28 year old from Troy, MI, landed his hot air balloon on a remote island 15 miles northeast of Jacksonville, FL, ending his record breaking 18 day solo voyage across the U.S.

1978 – The first Ironman Triathlon took place. Participants swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run for 26.2 miles.

1984 – Reed Larson (of the Detroit Red Wings) got two assists to become the highest scoring, American-born player in the history of the National Hockey League. Larson broke the record by scoring his 432nd point.

1987 – The executives of the Girl Scout movement decided to change the color of the scout uniform from the traditional Girl Scout green to the newer Girl Scout blue.

1989 – The TV show “Saturday Night Live” introduced us to the characters Wayne and Garth with the first of many “Wayne’s World” sketches.

1998 – Legendary Chicago baseball announcer Harry Caray died at 77.

1999 – On the television show “ER”, Dr. Doug Ross, played by George Clooney, bid a bitter farewell to Chicago’s General Memorial Hospital. Clooney went on to a very successful movie career.

2000 – The U.S. Commerce Department reported a deficit in trade goods and services of $271.3 billion for 1999. It was the largest calendar-year trade gap in U.S. history.

2001 – Seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, Sr., was killed instantly when his #3 car crashed during the final lap of the Daytona 500.

2001 – FBI agent Robert Philip Hanssen was arrested and accused of spying for Russia for more than 15 years. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

2007 – WikiLeaks published the first of hundreds of thousands of classified documents disclosed by the soldier now known as Chelsea Manning.

2021 – The Mars rover, Perseverance, landed successfully. The rover was designed to explore Jezero crater as part of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission.

BIRTHDAYS:

Yoko Ono – 93 years old (1933) – Japanese-American multimedia artist and musician

Jean M. Auel – 90 years old (1936) – Author

Irma Thomas – 85 years old (1941) – Singer-songwriter

Jess Walton – 80 years old (1946) – Actress

Dennis DeYoung – 79 years old (1947) – Musician, singer, and songwriter

Cybill Shepherd – 76 years old (1950) – Actress

Randy Crawford – 74 years old (1952) – Jazz and R&B singer

Juice Newton – 74 years old (1952) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

John Travolta – 72 years old (1954) – Actor, singer and producer

Lisa See – 71 years old (1955) – Writer and novelist

Vanna White – 69 years old (1957) – Television personality

Jayne Atkinson – 67 years old (1959) – English-American actress

Douglas Rushkoff – 65 years old (1961) – Media and cultural theorist, author, and documentarian

Matt Dillon – 62 years old (1964) – Actor

Dr. Dre – 61 years old (1965) – Rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur

Ryan Wesley Routh – 60 years old (1966) – Attempted assassin of Donald Trump

Molly Ringwald – 58 years old (1968) – Actress

Tommy Tallarico – 58 years old (1968) – Video game music composer

Carrie Ann Baade – 52 years old (1974) – Painter and academic

Julia Butterfly Hill – 52 years old (1974) – Environmentalist and author

Jillian Michaels – 52 years old (1974) – Personal trainer and television personality

Ike Barinholtz – 49 years old (1977) – Actor and comedian

Kristoffer Polaha – 49 years old (1977) – Actor

Regina Spektor – 46 years old (1980) – Russian-American musician and songwriter

Andrei Kirilenko – 45 years old (1981) – Russian-American basketball player

Alex Ríos – 45 years old (1981) – Baseball player

Kara Braxton – 43 years old (1983) – Basketball player

Jason Maxiell – 43 years old (1983) – Basketball player

Kyle Weaver – 40 years old (1986) – Basketball player

Sarah Sutherland – 38 years old (1988) – Actress

Maiara Walsh – 38 years old (1988) – American-Brazilian actress

Monica Aksamit – 36 years old (1990) – Saber fencer

Le'Veon Bell – 34 years old (1992) – Football player

Logan Miller – 34 years old (1992) – Actor

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – 33 years old (1993) – Basketball player

Tyler Dorsey – 30 years old (1996) – American-Greek basketball player

Vernon – 28 years old (1998) – South Korean and American rapper, singer and songwriter

Jaime Jaquez Jr. – 25 years old (2001) – Basketball player

TODAY IS:

National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day: Savoring frozen delights at sunrise to honor young fighters, uniting with sweet compassion for a vital cause.
National Battery Day: In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to overlook the small things that keep our world running smoothly. One such unsung hero is the humble battery. From powering our smartphones and laptops to enabling the rise of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, batteries play a...
National Drink Wine Day: Raise your glass to a delicious beverage that pairs well with a romantic dinner or a fun night out with friends!
Hockey Stick Salute Day: Hockey Stick Salute Day starts with a stick in the air and a message of thanks. It takes one of hockey’s simplest gestures and points it in a different direction, away from the scoreboard and toward the people who make the game possible. Players lift their sticks to recognize the people...
National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day: National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day is a delightful celebration for seafood enthusiasts. This day is dedicated to enjoying the delectable combination of flounder and crab meat. Seafood lovers across the country look forward to this occasion to indulge in this savory dish. The mix of tender flounder fillets and rich...
Thumb Appreciation Day: Thumb Appreciation Day is a quirky little reminder that one of the hardest-working parts of the human body is also one of the most overlooked. Thumbs are so reliable that they rarely earn a thank-you. They just show up, do the job, and quietly move on to the next task. Yet...
Pluto Day: If you’re like us, you grew up with a solar system that had nine planets in it. You also grew up in world that didn’t teach new math, but that’s a rant for a different day. Then one day they suddenly decided that designating Pluto as a planet was just...
Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day: No, this is not a joke. Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day is a real celebration! Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day commemorates the incredible feat of Elm Farm Ollie, also known as Nellie Jay, the first cow to fly and be milked in an airplane...
Ash Wednesday: Ash Wednesday marks the start of a significant season in many Christian communities. It is a time for reflection and spiritual renewal. The day encourages individuals to consider their actions, relationships, and faith. With ashes on the forehead, this day powerfully reminds us of life's fragility and the need for...
Carnival of Brazil: Samba music, vibrant costumes, and non-stop dancing—this annual festival in Rio de Janeiro is the ultimate party experience you won't forget!
National Nest Box Week: If you want to invite more birds to your yard, consider putting up some cozy little homes for these feathered friends!
Real Bread Week: Real bread is a joy to behold! Made with natural ingredients and baked to perfection, each bite is a heavenly experience.
Make Mine Chocolate: "Make Mine Chocolate" is a lively campaign urging people to think twice before giving live rabbits as Easter gifts. The campaign encourages people to opt for chocolate bunnies instead. This approach helps spread the message of responsible pet ownership while offering a sweet alternative that won't end up in shelters...
National Condom Week: Staying safe and responsible, these essential items help ensure intimate moments are worry-free and protected for all involved.
Love Teaching Week: Love Teaching Week is a vibrant celebration that spotlights educators' passion for their work. This annual event brings teachers together to reflect on the joy, fulfillment, and personal meaning they find in their profession. During the week, educators across the globe share their inspiring stories and moments of connection with...
Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week: Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week is a time to celebrate unity and friendship among all people. It encourages everyone to appreciate each other's differences and build stronger bonds. By participating in this week, people learn to support and uplift one another. This spirit of unity helps create a more peaceful and loving...
National Drink Wine with Your Cat Week: National Drink Wine With Your Cat Week is exactly what it sounds like—an excuse to relax with your favorite furry roommate. You sip your glass of wine, they lap up a cat‑friendly drink made just for them. It’s not real wine, of course—just a fun mix with catnip and beet...
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week is a vital time dedicated to spreading knowledge about Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This week is crucial because it highlights the challenges faced by individuals with this severe genetic disorder. The goal is to increase understanding and support for those affected, encouraging the public to...
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Staff Education Week: Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Staff Education Week focuses on the education and training of those who care for individuals with these conditions. This special event highlights the importance of providing caregivers with the knowledge and skills they need to offer the best possible care. This week's training covers various...
Through with the Chew: Through with the Chew is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco. This day aims to inform the public about the severe health risks associated with chewing tobacco, such as cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas. How to Celebrate Through with the Chew Get...
Build a Better Trade Show Image Week: Build a Better Trade Show Image Week is an exciting event focused on enhancing how businesses present themselves at trade shows. This special week highlights the importance of creating a compelling trade show presence. Trade shows offer a unique opportunity to connect directly with potential customers, making it crucial for...
Ramadan: During this holy month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, focusing on spiritual reflection and community. Ramadan is a time for self-improvement and bringing people together in celebration of faith.