February 22

In 1853, the Pembrokshire militia was granted a battle honor for the invasion at Fishguard. This distinction makes them the only unit in HM Armed Forces with a battle streamer for actions on the British home island.

February 19

Commander of American forces in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, Wm. R. Shafter proved so incompetent his subordinates were forced to write him a letter to advise him on his next move.

February 18

Winfield Scott famously offered Robert E. Lee command of the Union Army before the outbreak of the American Civil War. Scott himself was offered command of the Southern Army by Jefferson Davis.

February 17

The carvings on the facade of the Arc de Triomphe depict Frenchmen defeating forces of bearded enemies that have a distinctly Germanic appearance.

February 16

The first captain of the USS Philadelphia was Stephen Decatur, Sr., father of the man who eventually burned her.

February 15

In response to the anchorage of the Maine in Havana, the Spanish placed the cruiser Vizcaya off the coast of New York City.

February 12

The rampant U-Boat activity in American waters during World War II prompted one merchant captain to suggest that "The only safe run was from St. Louis to Cincinnati."