What Happened on February 22 in History?
February 22 is most famously recognized as the birthday of George Washington and the date of the historic "Miracle on Ice" hockey game in 1980.
Key Historical Events
1732: George Washington's Birth – The first U.S. president was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. In the U.S. Senate, his Farewell Address is traditionally read aloud every February 22.
1819: Florida Acquisition – Spain signed the Adams-Onís Treaty, ceding Florida to the United States.
1847: Battle of Buena Vista – During the Mexican-American War, U.S. troops led by Zachary Taylor defeated a significantly larger Mexican force.
1879: First Five-and-Dime Store – Frank Woolworth opened his first successful "nothing over five cents" shop in Utica, New York.
1959: First Daytona 500 – Lee Petty won the inaugural race in a photo finish at the newly opened Daytona International Speedway.
1980: "Miracle on Ice" – The underdog U.S. Olympic hockey team defeated the heavily favored Soviet Union 4-3 in Lake Placid, New York.
1997: Dolly the Sheep Revealed – Scientists at the Roslin Institute in Scotland announced they had successfully cloned an adult mammal for the first time.
2006: Largest British Heist – A gang stole £53 million from a Securitas bank depot in Kent, the largest cash robbery in British history.
2014: Capture of 'El Chapo' – Joaquin Guzmán Loera, the world's most-wanted drug kingpin, was arrested in Mazatlán, Mexico.
2024: Historic Moon Landing – The private spacecraft Odysseus (Intuitive Machines) became the first U.S. vehicle to land on the moon since 1972.
2026: Team USA Wins Olympic Hockey Gold – Team U.S.A. beats Canada 2-1 in OT to win first hockey gold medal since 1980 'Miracle on Ice'.
Notable Birthdays
George Washington (1732) – First U.S. President.
Robert Baden-Powell (1857) – Founder of the Scouting movement.
Edward Gorey (1925) – Darkly comedic author and illustrator.
Julius Erving (1950) – NBA legend known as "Dr. J".
Steve Irwin (1962) – Australian wildlife expert known as the "Crocodile Hunter".
Drew Barrymore (1975) – American actress and producer.
Holidays and Observances
World Thinking Day: Celebrated globally by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides to promote international friendship.
Founding Day: A national holiday in Saudi Arabia commemorating the state's foundation.
Independence Day (Saint Lucia): Celebrates the island's independence from the United Kingdom in 1979.
