Thomas More

Thomas More was born on 7 February 1478 www.localhistories.org/more.html

Voting in Britain 1918

On 6 February 1918, a new law giving all men in Britain the vote received royal assent. (Until then about 40% of men in Britain could not vote). The new law also gave the vote to women over 30. localhistories.org/a-history-of-suffrage

Fleas

People used to believe that fleas appeared on 1 March. They used to keep their windows closed on that day to stop the fleas coming in their houses. There was a saying 'The Devil shakes a bag of fleas at every house on 1 March'.

Robert Peel

Robert Peel was born on 5 February 1788. He formed the first modern police force in Britain, in 1829. They were called bobbies or peelers after him.  

Toronto

In 1793 the first governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe founded a new town. He called the new town York in honor of the Duke of York and he made it the capital of Upper Canada. Its name was later changed to Toronto. 

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka became independent on 4 February 1948  

Public lavatories

There were public lavatories in London in the Middle Ages but the first modern public lavatory in the city opened on 2 February 1852. It was for men. One for women opened on 11 February. localhistories.org/a-history-of-toilets