What Happened on February 22
Historical Events
- 303 1st official Roman edict for persecution of Christians issued by Emperor Diocletian at Nicomedia, ordering all churches to be closed and scriptures burnt
- 1632 Galileo's "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems" is published
- 1774 British House of Lords rules authors do not have perpetual copyright
- 1797 The Last Invasion of Britain, launched by the French during the Revolutionary Wars, begins near Fishguard, Wales
- 1825 Russia & Britain establish Alaska-Canada boundary
- 1967 25,000 US and South Vietnamese troops launch Operation Junction City against the Viet Cong. Largest US airborne assault since WWII.
- More Historical Events
Feb 22 in Film & TV
- 1934 "It Happened One Night" directed by Frank Capra and starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert opens at NY's Radio City Music Hall (Academy Awards Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Screenplay 1935)
Feb 22 in Music
- 2017 Jay-Z becomes 1st rapper to be inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside Max Martin, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Feb 22 in Sport
- 1888 “Father of American Golf” John Reid first demonstrates golf on a Yonkers cow pasture to friends
Did You Know?
Neanderthals, not humans, were the first artists on Earth, producing red cave paintings 65,000 years ago in Spain, according to new research published in "Science"
On February 22, 2018
Famous Weddings
- 1767 US Defector General Benedict Arnold (26) weds the daughter of the sheriff of New Haven Margaret Mansfield
- 1941 Future CIA Director William J. Casey (27) weds Sophia Kurz
- 1949 Future Portuguese President Mário Soares (24) weds actress Maria de Jesus Barroso (24) at the 3rd Conservatory of the Civil Register of Lisbon
Famous Divorces
- 1996 Actress Halle Berry files for divorce from David Justice
- 2008 "Baywatch" actress Pamela Anderson (40) divorces Rick Salomon (39) due to irreconcilable differences only 2 months after getting married
More Weddings & Divorces
Articles, Photos and Quiz
Last Invasion of Britain
French troops surrendering to British forces at Goodwick Sands near Fishguard in Wales. Drawing by James Baker.
February 22, 1797Wonder of Woolworths Begins its Meteoric Rise
It was a simple idea: opening a store where nothing cost more than five cents. The idea caught on so quickly that Woolworth’s became a retail phenomenon.
February 22, 1878Weekly Quiz for February 17 - 23
Who was the 1st US President to visit China? What was the name of the Russian royal house that ruled 1613-1917? Who printed the 1st Bible in 1455?