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What happened on February 26th?
A tragic encounter that left America divided
Matthew Jones
February 26, 2025
2012 Trayvon Martin's Death Sparks National Debates on Racial Profiling and Justice
On February 26th, 2012, Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black teenager, was fatally shot by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood-watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida. The incident led to widespread protests and intense discussions about racial inequality and the implications of "stand your ground" laws in the United States.
The photo shows Trayvon Martin's father Tracy Martin and his mother Sabrina Fulton at the Union Square protest against Trayvon's shooting death.
🗞️Today’s Headlines
Everything important that’s ever happened on February 26:
1993 — A truck bomb detonated beneath the World Trade Center in New York City, killing six people, injuring over 1,000, and marking one of the first major acts of terrorism on US soil.
1929 — Grand Teton National Park was established in Wyoming to protect its iconic mountain range and rich wildlife for future generations.
1919 — The US Congress designated the Grand Canyon a national park, recognizing its unparalleled geological and cultural significance.
1885 — The Berlin West Africa Conference ended, formalizing the division of African territories among European powers and setting colonial rules.
1815 — Napoleon Bonaparte escaped exile on Elba and began his dramatic return to power, leading to the Hundred Days and his ultimate defeat at Waterloo.
🎂 Today’s Birthdays
On February 26, we’re singing to:
Victor Hugo (1802) — French writer renowned for his novels Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, as well as his contributions to Romanticism.
Buffalo Bill (1846) — American showman, soldier, and bison hunter who popularized the Wild West through his traveling performances.
Jackie Gleason (1916) — American actor and comedian best known for his iconic role as Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners.
Johnny Cash (1932) — Legendary American musician and songwriter celebrated for his deep baritone voice and hits like “Ring of Fire” and “Folsom Prison Blues.”
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (1954) — Turkish politician and current president, known for his transformative and controversial leadership in modern Turkey.
🪦Who Died Today?
On February 26, we’re saying goodbye to:
Otto Wallach (1931) — German chemist and Nobel laureate credited with pioneering work in organic chemistry, particularly in the study of terpenes.
Karl Jaspers (1969) — German philosopher and psychiatrist influential in existentialism and known for his works on the human condition and transcendence.
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