As winter continues its grip on America, February 2025 brings us a remarkable series of historical anniversaries that span from the Revolutionary era to the digital age. These events showcase America’s journey through war and peace, scientific controversy, civil rights struggles, and technological revolution.

Revolution and Civil War

250th Anniversary: Massachusetts Provincial Congress (February 1775) In the tense months before the American Revolution, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress took the bold step of establishing an alternative government to British rule. This crucial development saw the appointment of John Hancock as president and the organization of colonial militias—actions that would prove decisive in the coming conflict. The Congress represented one of the first formal breaks with British authority and helped set the stage for American independence.

160th Anniversary: Sherman’s March Through South Carolina (February 1865) General William Tecumseh Sherman’s devastating campaign through South Carolina marked a turning point in the Civil War. Following his infamous “March to the Sea” through Georgia, Sherman’s army moved northward, capturing Columbia and demonstrating the effectiveness of “total war” strategy. This campaign not only hastened the Confederacy’s defeat but also left lasting scars on the South’s landscape and psyche.

The Roaring Twenties and Cultural Change

100th Anniversary: The New Yorker’s First Issue (February 1925) The launch of The New Yorker magazine represented a watershed moment in American journalism and culture. Founded by Harold Ross, the magazine introduced a sophisticated blend of commentary, fiction, art, and humor that would influence American letters for generations. From E.B. White to James Thurber, Dorothy Parker to John Updike, The New Yorker helped define 20th-century American literary culture.

Cold War Tensions

75th Anniversary: McCarthy’s Wheeling Speech (February 1950) Senator Joseph McCarthy’s speech in Wheeling, West Virginia, claiming to have a list of known Communists in the State Department, launched one of the most controversial periods in American political history. This moment marked the beginning of “McCarthyism,” intensifying the Red Scare and leading to widespread investigations, blacklists, and a climate of fear that would persist throughout the 1950s.

Civil Rights and Social Justice

60th Anniversary: Malcolm X’s Assassination (February 1965) The assassination of Malcolm X at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City marked a tragic moment in the civil rights movement. His death came at a time of evolution in his thinking about race relations and social justice, cutting short a powerful voice for African American rights and human dignity. His legacy continues to influence discussions about racial justice and social change.

The Digital Revolution

20th Anniversary: Facebook Opens to the Public (February 2005) The expansion of Facebook beyond college campuses marked the beginning of social media’s transformation into a global phenomenon. This development would fundamentally change how people communicate, share information, and maintain relationships, while raising important questions about privacy, digital identity, and the nature of community.

For further reading and classroom resources, consider exploring the Library of Congress digital archives, National Archives’ teaching materials, and your state’s historical society collections. To see my other posts view here. (Link)