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On February 14, around the year 270 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome
in the days of Emperor Claudius II, was executed.
Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many unpopular
and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but
was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues.
Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because
of their strong attachment to their wives and families.
To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements
in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius
and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put
to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome,
who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head
cut off. The sentence was carried out on February 14, on or about the year
270.
Legend also has it that while in jail, St. Valentine left a farewell note for the
jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it “From Your
Valentine.”For his great service, Valentine was named a saint after his death.
Brace Beemer, center, with The Lone Ranger cast in the WXYZ radio
studios.
"The Lone Ranger" was aired on radio for the first time on this day in 1933. The show ran for 2,956 episodes and ended in 1955. The title character was played
by George Seaton, Earle Graser, and Brace Beemer. Tonto was played by,
among others, John Todd and Roland Parker.
Francis Hamilton "Fran" Striker
(August 19, 1903 – September 4, 1962).
Fran Striker was a writer for radio and comics,
best known for creating the Lone Ranger,
Green Hornet, and Sgt. Preston of the Yukon
characters.
Baby Franklin and mother Sara
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945)
(Last photograph of Roosevelt, taken the day before his death)
Franklin Roosevelt, often referred to by his initials FDR, served as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. A member
of the Democratic Party, he won a record four presidential elections and
became a central figure in world events during the first half of the 20th
century.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC. on this day in 1982, after a march to its site by thousands
of Vietnam War veterans. About two years later the Three
Soldiers statue was dedicated.
