Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) becomes the ruler of Wallachia for the first time, starting his legacy.
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What Happened in February?
Emperor ascensions, legendary battles, and assassinations. Discover what happened this month in history. Explore pivotal events from February that helped shape the world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Mehmed II ascends the throne as Sultan of the Ottoman Empire after the death of his father, Murad II.
Mehmed II, inherits the throne to the Ottoman Empire when his father Murad II dies. Mehmed II also known as The Conqueror is one of the famous sultans of Ottoman Empire. He had ruled the Ottoman for a brief time, from 1444 to 1446, after his father. After that time Sultan Murad II renounced the throne. Mehmed II ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1451 to 1481. More
Circa 1455, February 23
The printing of the Gutenberg Bible, one of the earliest major books printed using movable type, is completed in Mainz, Germany. Reportedly, many scholars believe that February 23, 1455 was the completion date. The Gutenberg Bible is named after its creator, Johannes Gutenberg who also invented the wooden printing press, metal types, and oil-based inks used in the new printing process.
Historians estimate that Gutenberg printed about 150-180 Bibles in 1455. Only 20 complete copies in the world survive intact and many others exist only as single volumes or fragments.
The Battle of Rovine: Vlad the Impaler defeats a large Ottoman army, temporarily halting Ottoman expansion into Wallachia.
Edward, Earl of March, defeats Henry VI during the Wars of the Roses at the battle of Towton on February 28, 1461. His victory on top of his previous victory at the battle of Mortimer's Cross strengthen Edward's position to claim the throne.
He went on to become King of England as Edward the IV, after the death of his father on March 4, 1461. He was formally crowned on June 28, 1461, at Westminster Abbey.
The Second Peace of Thorn is signed, ending the Thirteen Years' War between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order.
George Plantagenet, the Duke of Clarence and brother to King Edward IV, is executed for treason during the War of the Roses at the Tower of London. The execution was the culmination of years of political rivalry, shifting alliances, and acts of disloyalty by the Duke against his brother, the King.
George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence, is executed for treason against his brother, King Edward IV of England.
King Edward IV of England dies, and his son, Edward V, ascends to the throne, initiating the brief reign known as the Princes in the Tower.
Pope Innocent VIII issues the papal bull "Summis desiderantes affectibus," authorizing the Inquisition to prosecute witchcraft.
Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, reaches the Cape of Good Hope and enters what would later became known as Mossel Bay, during his attempt to establish a sea route to India. He was the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa. His trip had started in Lisbon, Portugal with a small fleet in July 1487.
Pope Innocent VIII launches the Spanish Inquisition to combat heresy, contributing to the persecution of Jews and Muslims in Spain.
1Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci leaves Cadiz, Spain, on his first voyage to the New World.
Vasco da Gama's fleet reaches Mozambique during his voyage to India, exploring the East African coast.
Spanish explorer Vicente Yáñez Pinzón discovers Brazil while captaining a ship in a fleet led by Pedro Álvares Cabral.
Vasco da Gama sets sail on his second voyage to India, aiming to secure Portugal's trade interests.
Construction begins on the Holy Trinity Bridge in Paris, France.
Pope Julius II issues a papal bull against slavery, condemning the enslavement of indigenous peoples in the Americas.
Christopher Columbus uses a lunar eclipse to secure provisions during his stranded stay in Jamaica.