270 a.d. - St. Valentine Beheaded

1929 - Valentines Day Massacre

Roman Red Dye 🪲
Ninja Pepper Bomb 💣
Flaming Camels 🐫
Astronaut Smugglers 🧑‍🚀

A Roman priest named Valentine defied an emperor’s orders, secretly marrying couples in the name of love—only to be executed for his defiance. His death on February 14th would later inspire the holiday we know today, proving once again that history has a sense of irony sharper than a guillotine.

During the reign of Emperor Claudius II, Rome was at war, and the emperor needed soldiers. He believed that single men made better warriors, so he banned marriages among young couples. Because nothing fuels battlefield morale like deep emotional detachment. But one priest, Valentine, refused to comply. Believing love was more powerful than law, he continued performing weddings in secret, risking everything for the cause of romance. As word of his actions spread, he gained a reputation as a champion of love and devotion, attracting the admiration of those who sought to be married despite the emperor’s ruling.

Unfortunately, love did not conquer all. Valentine was caught, arrested, and thrown into prison. While awaiting execution, he allegedly performed a miracle—restoring sight to the jailer’s blind daughter. Some say he even fell in love with her, signing a final note to her with the words, “From your Valentine.” And thus, the first-ever Valentine’s card was written, proving that grand romantic gestures may get you a place in history, but they don’t always save your head. Over time, various legends and embellishments built upon his story, further immortalizing him as a symbol of romance.

On February 14, 270 A.D., Valentine was beheaded for his defiance. Though he met a tragic end, his legacy endured. Over time, his death became intertwined with a celebration of love, evolving into the Valentine’s Day we recognize today. So, while modern Valentine’s gifts include chocolates and flowers, the original Valentine’s Day came at a much steeper price—one paid in blood. His story remains a testament to the idea that love--even when suppressed--finds a way to endure and inspire future generations—or at least, justify the price of roses going up every February.

The Valentine’s Day Massacre was one of the bloodiest chapters in Chicago’s gangster wars. Al Capone’s men ruthlessly executed seven of their rivals in broad daylight. Because nothing says “be mine Valentine” quite like a Tommy gun. It was a brutal display of power that shocked the nation and cemented Capone’s reputation as America’s most notorious gangster. The event not only demonstrated the lengths to which gangsters would go to maintain control, but it also fueled public outrage over organized crime’s grip on the city.

By the late 1920s, Chicago was a battleground for mobsters fighting over control of the illegal alcohol trade. Al Capone ruled the south side, while his rival, George “Bugs” Moran, controlled the north. On February 14, 1929, Capone’s men set a deadly trap: they lured Moran’s gang to a garage with the promise of a stolen liquor shipment. Apparently, nothing blinds ambition like the promise of free booze. This setup was a calculated move, carefully designed to eliminate the competition in one quick blow.

Dressed as police officers, Capone’s men lined up seven of Moran’s men against a wall and opened fire with Tommy guns, unleashing a hail of bullets. Bugs himself barely escaped--he arrived late and spotted the “officers” and walked away. The killers left behind a gruesome scene that stunned the public and sent a chilling message: Capone was untouchable. The ruthless efficiency of the execution further solidified Capone's status as a criminal mastermind who ruled through fear and absolute control. Or, in simpler terms, a guy you wouldn’t want to double-cross over a dinner reservation.

Though the massacre made headlines, no one was ever convicted for the crime. Capone denied involvement, but the attack effectively shattered his rivals, securing his grip on the city. However, the intense scrutiny from law enforcement would soon lead to Capone’s downfall—not for murder, but for tax evasion. Because, as history has proven, nothing takes down a criminal empire faster than bad bookkeeping. The Valentine’s Day Massacre remains one of the most infamous crimes in American history, a brutal reminder that in the world of organized crime, love and loyalty were always second to power and revenge. Today, it stands as a stark example of how absolute power often leads to brutal and inevitable downfall—especially when your idea of conflict resolution involves a firing squad.

Roman Red Dye 🪲
The Romans loved their richly colored clothing, and when it came to red dye, they had an... interesting method: crushed beetles. Specifically, they used the kermes insect, which contained a deep red pigment. These tiny bugs were dried, ground up, and mixed into dyes to give robes, togas, and fabrics a luxurious crimson hue. The color was so prized that it became a symbol of wealth and power, often worn by senators, nobles, and emperors. Centuries later, this bug-based dye evolved into cochineal, which is still used in some modern food and cosmetics.

Ninja Pepper Bomb 💣
Forget smoke bombs—medieval Japanese ninjas had a much simpler (and spicier) way to escape danger: throwing ground pepper into their enemies' eyes. This sneaky tactic, known as "metsubushi" (eye closer), involved carrying powdered pepper, ash, or even ground glass in small containers. If a ninja got cornered, POOF!—a face full of burning spice, giving them just enough time to vanis

Flaming Camels 🐪
As if the Mongols weren’t terrifying enough, they weaponized camels—by setting them on fire. During battles, particularly against fortified cities, the Mongols would douse camels in oil, light them on fire, and send them charging toward enemy lines. Panicked and in flames, the camels would break through barriers, cause chaos, and sometimes even set enemy camps ablaze.

Space Smugglers 🧑‍🚀
In 1965, NASA astronaut John Young pulled off the ultimate snack heist—by smuggling a corned beef sandwich onto the Gemini 3 mission. Technically, astronauts were supposed to eat NASA-approved space food (aka weird cubes and paste). But fellow astronaut Gus Grissom handed Young the sandwich just before launch, and Young couldn’t resist sneaking a bite mid-mission. The problem? Crumbs. In zero gravity, those tiny bread bits could float into equipment and cause serious issues. NASA was not amused, and after that, sandwiches were officially banned from space.

If you enjoy this edition of Today In History be sure to send it to a friend and force them to sign up because that’s what good friends do. Until next time, stay curious, question everything, and keep uncovering the mysteries of the past. - Zach⛺️