February 16:Stephen Whitney, one of the wealthiest men in America, locked up his checkbook in a safe and died on this date in 1860.

February 15: On this date in 1961, championship ice dancer turned skating judge Harold Hartshorne was killed in a plane crash in Europe that wiped out the entire United States Figure Skating Team.

February 14: Martha Bullock Roosevelt, mother to president-to-be Theodore Roosevelt, and Alice Hathaway Roosevelt, TR’s wife, died on this Valentine’s Day in 1884.

February 13: Frankie Ward, the son of an admiral, was born on this date in 1877; he died three years later and was memorialized with a monument by famed sculptor Daniel Chester French (of Lincoln Memorial fame).

February 12: “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also called “The Negro National Anthem,” lyrics by James Weldon Johnson, with music by his brother, John Rosamond Johnson, made its debut on this date in 1900.

February 11: De Witt Clinton, mayor, governor, senator, and presidential candidate, as well as the promoter of the Erie Canal, which made New York City the world’s financial center, died on this date in 1828.

February 10: The Bradley Martin Ball, intended to be “the greatest party in the history of the city,” was held on this date in 1897. The police were called out to prevent demonstrators, angry at the money spent, from storming the Waldorf Hotel.

February 9: Louisine Havemeyer was arrested on this date in 1919 at the White House while demonstrating for women’s suffrage.

February 8: Painter John George Brown, who specialized in paintings of New York City’s street urchins, died on this date in 1913.

February 7: On this date in 1983, Eubie Blake celebrated his 100th birthday; he died five days later and was cremated at Green-Wood.