February 07
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Richard the Pilgrim, BlessedEugénie Smet, BlessedPope Pius IX, Chrysolius, Egidio Maria of Saint Joseph, February 7 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics), New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Orthodox ChurchTypically observed on the Sunday closest to January 25 (O.S.)/February 7 (N.S.)
A Christian feast day honoring several saints, including Richard the Pilgrim and Blessed Eugénie Smet, observed by Eastern Orthodox churches on February 7.
Independence Day (Grenada), celebrates the independence ofGrenadafrom theUnited Kingdomin 1974.
Celebrates Grenada’s independence from the United Kingdom on February 7, 1974.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day(United States)
An annual U.S. observance dedicated to raising awareness of HIV/AIDS in Black communities on February 7.
Richard the Pilgrim
Feast day celebrating Saint Richard the Pilgrim, an 8th-century English royal who journeyed to Rome and the Holy Land.
BlessedEugénie Smet
Feast day honoring Blessed Eugénie Smet, founder of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, celebrated on February 7.
BlessedPope Pius IX
Feast day of Blessed Pope Pius IX, the longest-reigning pontiff known for defining the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
Chrysolius
Feast day of Saint Chrysolius, an early Christian martyr venerated for his unwavering faith.
Egidio Maria of Saint Joseph
Feast day of Egidio Maria of Saint Joseph, an 18th-century Capuchin friar renowned for his humility and service.
February 7 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Day of liturgical commemorations in the Eastern Orthodox Church for various saints and events.
Events
Leo I becomes the Eastern Roman emperor.
In 457, Leo I ascended to the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire, marking the start of his influential rule.
Bardas Phokas the Younger and Bardas Skleros, Byzantine generals of the military elite, begin a wide-scale rebellion against Emperor Basil II.
In 987, Byzantine generals Bardas Phokas the Younger and Bardas Skleros launched a wide-scale rebellion against Emperor Basil II.
Edward of Caernarvon (later King Edward II of England) becomes the first English Prince of Wales.
In 1301, Edward of Caernarvon was invested as the first English Prince of Wales by his father, King Edward I.
King Thihathu founds the Pinya Kingdom as the de jure successor state of the Pagan Kingdom.
In 1313, King Thihathu founded the Pinya Kingdom as the de jure successor to Burma's Pagan Kingdom.
Albert III of Mecklenburg (King Albert of Sweden) grants city rights to Ulvila (Swedish: Ulvsby).
In 1365, King Albert of Sweden granted city privileges to Ulvila, formally recognizing it under Swedish law.
In Florence, Italy, supporters of Girolamo Savonarola burn cosmetics, art, and books, in a "Bonfire of the vanities".
In 1497, Girolamo Savonarola's followers held a Bonfire of the Vanities in Florence, destroying art, books, and luxury goods.
Guaraní War: The leader of the Guaraní rebels, Sepé Tiaraju, is killed in a skirmish with Spanish and Portuguese troops.
In 1756, Guaraní War leader Sepé Tiaraju was killed during a skirmish with Spanish and Portuguese forces.
American Revolutionary War: French and Spanish forces lift the Great Siege of Gibraltar.
In 1783, French and Spanish forces lifted the Great Siege of Gibraltar, ending a seven-year blockade during the American Revolutionary War.
The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified.
In 1795, the 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, restricting federal court jurisdiction over states.
Births
Japanese prince and regent who promoted Buddhism and laid foundations for centralized government in the Asuka period.
Empress Matilda
Daughter of King Henry I of England and Holy Roman Empress who fought a civil war to claim the English throne.
Adriana of Nassau-Siegen
15th-century German countess from the House of Nassau-Siegen, part of the high nobility in the Holy Roman Empire.
Thomas More
English lawyer, statesman, and humanist author of Utopia who served as Lord Chancellor and was later executed.
Queen Dangyeong
First wife of King Jungjong of Joseon, deposed shortly after her marriage amidst court intrigue.
João de Castro
Portuguese naval officer and explorer who served as the fourth viceroy of Portuguese India and advanced cartography.
Thomas Killigrew
English playwright and theatre manager who helped revive the London stage after the English Civil War.
Vittoria della Rovere
Grand Duchess of Tuscany as the consort of Ferdinando II de’ Medici and patron of the arts in the 17th century.
Empress of Russia from 1730 to 1740 known for autocratic rule and fostering cultural developments.
Deaths
Lü Bu
Chinese warlord and military general of the late Eastern Han Dynasty, famed for his unmatched combat skills and turbulent alliances.
Jin Mindi
Emperor Min of the Jin Dynasty (reigned 313–317), his reign was marked by internal conflict and the loss of northern China to invaders.
Boleslaus II the Pious
Duke of Bohemia from 972 until his death, he strengthened the Přemyslid dynasty and promoted Christian institutions.
69th emperor of Japan (reigned 1036–1045), known for his patronage of court culture and careful governance.
Siegfried I
11th-century Count of Sponheim, a feudal ruler in the Holy Roman Empire who established his noble house.
Ava
One of the earliest known female German poets of the Middle Ages, remembered for her visionary religious hymns.
12th-century Armenian noble and military commander, bearing the title Marshal of Armenia and defending his realm.
Thomas
13th-century Count of Flanders, involved in regional politics and feudal alliances across medieval Europe.
Robert
Youngest son of King Louis IX of France and founder of the Bourbon dynasty, which ruled France for centuries.