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On this day in history - February 22

What Happened On This Day – February 22

  • 2011 185 people are killed during an earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand

    The quake, while having a magnitude of only 6.3, had one of the highest intensities ever recorded in an urban area (MM IX).

  • 1986 The People Power Revolution begins in the Philippines

    The nonviolent campaign resulted in the fall of President Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of the country's democracy.

  • 1983 The play “Moose Murders” flops spectacularly on Broadway

    According to critic Frank Rich, “a visit to Moose Murders is what will separate the connoisseurs of Broadway disaster from mere dilettantes for many moons to come.”

  • 1948 Czechoslovakia becomes a communist state following a coup d'etat

    The country became a parliamentary republic following the non-violent “Velvet Revolution” in 1989 and was split into the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic in 1993.

  • 1879 The first Woolworth store opens in Utica, New york

    Frank Woolworth's five-and-dime retail stores became one of the world's most successful trading companies with branches in many countries around the world.

Illustration of stork, signifying birth

Births On This Day,
February 22

  • 1975 Drew Barrymore

    American actress, director, producer, screenwriter

  • 1932 Ted Kennedy

    American politician

  • 1900 Luis Buñuel

    Spanish director, producer

  • 1857 Heinrich Hertz

    German physicist

  • 1732 George Washington

    American general, politician, 1st President of the United States

Illustration of tombstone, signifying death

Deaths On This Day,
February 22

  • 1987 Andy Warhol

    American artist

  • 1983 Adrian Boult

    English conductor

  • 1958 Abul Kalam Azad

    Indian activist, scholar, politician

  • 1943 Sophie Scholl

    German student, activist

  • 1875 Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

    French painter