- Feb 1 Dike breaks in Gelderland, Netherlands
- Feb 1 Texas secedes from the Union (which precipitates the American Civil War)
- Feb 2 The "Organized Incorporated Territory of Nevada" is created, lasting until October 31st, 1864
Historic Event
Feb 4 Confederate constitutional convention meets for 1st time; Jefferson Davis elected President of Confederacy (US Civil War)
- Feb 5 Kinematoscope patented by Coleman Sellers, Philadelphia
- Feb 5 Louisiana delegation except Mr Bouligny withdraws from Congress (US Civil War)
- Feb 6 1st meeting of Provisional Congress of Confederate States of America (US Civil War)
- Feb 6 British Vice-Admiral Robert Fitzroy issues first storm warnings for ships
- Feb 8 Confederate States of America organizes in Montgomery, Alabama (US Civil War)
- Feb 9 Jefferson Davis & Alexander Stephens elected President & VP of the Confederate States of America (US Civil War)
- Feb 9 Tennessee votes against secession (US Civil War)
Constitution of the United States
Feb 9 Confederate Provisional Congress declares all laws under the US Constitution were consistent with constitution of Confederate states (US Civil War)
Historic Event
Feb 11 US President-elect Abraham Lincoln takes train from Spingfield IL to Washington, D.C.
- Feb 11 US House unanimously passes resolution guaranteeing noninterference with slavery in any state
- Feb 12 State troops seize US munitions in Napoleon, Arkansas, during the US Civil War
- Feb 13 First military action to result in Congressional Medal of Honor, Arizona
- Feb 13 Abraham Lincoln declared US President in Washington, D.C.
- Feb 13 Colonel Bernard Irwin attacks & defeats hostile Chiricahua Indians
- Feb 15 Fort Point, in San Francisco, California, completed & garrisoned (but has never fired cannon in anger)
Abraham Lincoln, the Presidential Icon
Feb 16 Abraham Lincoln stops his train at Westfield on his way to Washington to thank 11-year old Grace Bedell in person for her advice to grow a beard to gain more votes
- Feb 18 Confederate President Jefferson Davis inaugurated at Montgomery, Alabama (US Civil War)
Historic Event
Feb 18 King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia becomes first King of Italy
- Feb 20 Navy of the Confederate States (CSN) forms (US Civil War)
- Feb 21 Steeple of Chichester Cathedral collapses despite the desperate efforts of 70 workmen
- Feb 21 Navaho indians elect Herrero Grande as chief
- Feb 22 On a bet Edward Weston leaves Boston to walk to Lincoln's inauguration
- Feb 23 Dutch Premier Floris A van Hall resigns
- Feb 27 Russians shoot at Poles protesting Russian rule of Poland in Castle Square, Warsaw
- Feb 27 US Congress authorizes 1st stamped newspaper wrappers for mailing