February 22 in History

Significant events that happened on this day.

Today

Historical Events

2006

Thieves stole nearly $100 million worth of artwork from a security depot in England, then couldn't sell any of it

Armed robbers took paintings and drawings by Picasso, Cezanne, Van Gogh, and other masters from a Securitas depot. Despite pulling off one of the larg...

1997

Scientists in Scotland announced they had successfully cloned a sheep named Dolly

Major

Dolly was the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell, proving that specialized cells could be reprogrammed. The announcement sparked worldwide...

1980

The U.S. Olympic hockey team defeated the Soviet Union in the 'Miracle on Ice'

Major

In one of the greatest upsets in sports history, a team of American college players beat the heavily favored Soviet team 4-3 in Lake Placid. The Sovie...

1978

The first computer bulletin board system (BBS) went online in Chicago

Ward Christensen and Randy Suess created the Computerized Bulletin Board System (CBBS), allowing users to dial in with modems and post messages. It wa...

1974

Pakistan officially recognized Bangladesh, three years after a bloody war of independence

The recognition came after a conflict that left millions dead and created one of the largest refugee crises in history. Pakistan's acceptance of Bangl...

1959

The first Daytona 500 race was held, though the winner wasn't determined for three days

Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp crossed the finish line side-by-side in such a close race that officials couldn't determine the winner. After reviewing...

1935

Airplanes were banned from flying over the White House after one actually landed on the lawn

A pilot suffering from mechanical trouble made an emergency landing on the White House south lawn. President Roosevelt was inside at the time, and whi...

1924

President Calvin Coolidge became the first U.S. president to deliver a radio broadcast from the White House

Coolidge's address was heard by millions of Americans simultaneously for the first time in history. The notoriously quiet president was nicknamed "Sil...

1889

President Grover Cleveland signed a bill admitting four states to the Union in a single year

On this day, Cleveland signed the Enabling Act that would lead to North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington becoming states in 1889. This wa...

1879

The first Woolworth's five-and-dime store opened in Utica, New York, and failed within weeks

Frank Woolworth's first store was a complete disaster, closing after just a few weeks due to poor location and lack of customers. Undeterred, he opene...

1819

Spain ceded Florida to the United States in the Adams-Onís Treaty

Major

Spain agreed to give up its colony of Florida in exchange for the U.S. assuming $5 million in claims by American citizens against Spain. The treaty al...

1732

George Washington, the first President of the United States, was born

Major

Born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, Washington would go on to lead the Continental Army to victory and become the nation's founding father. His bir...

1371

Robert II became King of Scotland, establishing the Stuart dynasty

Robert II was the first of the Stuart kings, a dynasty that would eventually rule both Scotland and England. He came to the throne at age 54 after dec...

Fun Facts from February 22