On This Day
What Happened on February 22 in History
9 events that happened on February 22, oldest first. Every entry is written in our own words and links to its source.
Colonial America and the Revolution
1732
George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
The future commander of the Continental Army and first U.S. president was born on a family plantation along Popes Creek. His birthday later became the basis for the federal holiday now widely called Presidents Day.
Source: history.com
The Young Republic and the Civil War Era
1819
Spain agreed to cede Florida to the United States in the Adams-Onis Treaty.
Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and Spanish minister Luis de Onis signed the agreement in Washington. It also drew a border between U.S. and Spanish lands that reached all the way to the Pacific.
Source: history.com; avalon.law.yale.edu
1847
The Battle of Buena Vista began as Santa Anna attacked Zachary Taylor in northern Mexico.
Taylor refused a demand to surrender even though his army was badly outnumbered. After two days of fighting the Mexican army withdrew, and the victory made Taylor a national hero on his way to the presidency.
Source: history.com
The Early 1900s and the World Wars
1943
Nazi Germany executed Hans and Sophie Scholl and Christoph Probst of the White Rose resistance group.
The Munich students had written and distributed leaflets that condemned the Nazi regime and its crimes. They were arrested days earlier, tried by the People's Court and put to death the same day.
Source: encyclopedia.ushmm.org
The Cold War
1946
George Kennan sent his Long Telegram from Moscow, shaping the U.S. strategy of containment.
The American diplomat argued in about 8,000 words that Soviet power would expand wherever it met no resistance. His analysis became a foundation for U.S. Cold War policy toward the Soviet Union.
Source: history.com
1959
Lee Petty won the first Daytona 500 at the new Daytona International Speedway in Florida.
The finish against Johnny Beauchamp was so close that officials needed several days of reviewing photographs and film before naming Petty the winner. The race grew into the most famous event in stock car racing.
Source: history.com
1978
The U.S. Air Force launched Navstar 1, the first satellite of the Global Positioning System.
The satellite lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. GPS began as a military navigation tool and later became part of everyday life in phones, cars and aircraft.
Source: history.com
1980
A young U.S. hockey team beat the heavily favored Soviet Union at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics.
The American squad of college players won 4 to 3 in a semifinal-round game later called the Miracle on Ice. Two days later the team beat Finland to clinch the gold medal.
Source: history.com; archive.nytimes.com
The Modern Era
2011
A powerful earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand, shortly after midday.
The shallow quake hit close to the city center, toppling buildings and killing many people. It followed a larger but less deadly earthquake that had struck the region in September 2010.
Source: science.nasa.gov