Today in history: Feb. 22
More than 25,000 U.S. and South Vietnamese troops launched Operation Junction City, aimed at smashing a Vietcong stronghold near the Cambodian border, and more events that happened on this day in history.
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1732: George Washington
In 1732, the first president of the United States, George Washington, was born in Westmoreland County in the Virginia Colony.
1889: Grover Cleveland
In 1889, President Grover Cleveland signed an enabling act paving the way for the Dakotas, Montana and Washington to become states.
1949: The Daytona 500
In 1959, the inaugural Daytona 500 race was held; although Johnny Beauchamp was initially declared the winner, the victory was later awarded to Lee Petty.
1967: Operation Junction City
In 1967, more than 25,000 U.S. and South Vietnamese troops launched Operation Junction City, aimed at smashing a Vietcong stronghold near the Cambodian border. (Although the communists were driven out, they later returned.)
1980: "Miracle on Ice"
In 1980, the “Miracle on Ice” took place in Lake Placid, New York, as the United States Olympic hockey team upset the Soviets, 4-3. (The U.S. team went on to win the gold medal.)
1984: David Vetter
In 1984, David Vetter, a 12-year-old Texas boy who’d spent most of his life in a plastic bubble because he had no immunity to disease, died 15 days after being removed from the bubble for a bone-marrow transplant.
1987: Andy Warhol
In 1987, pop artist Andy Warhol died at a New York City hospital at age 58.
2004: Ralph Nader
In 2004, consumer advocate Ralph Nader announced he was running again for president, this time as an independent.
2010: Najibullah Zazi
In 2010, Najibullah Zazi (nah-jee-BOO’-lah ZAH’-zee), accused of buying beauty supplies to make bombs for an attack on New York City subways, pleaded guilty to charges including conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction. (Zazi faced up to life in prison but spent nearly a decade after his arrest helping the U.S. identify and prosecute terrorists; he was given a 10-year sentence followed by supervised release.)
2011: Christchurch, New Zealand
Ten years ago: A magnitude-6.1 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, killed 184 people.
2011: Moammar Gadhafi
Ten years ago: A defiant Moammar Gadhafi vowed to fight to his “last drop of blood” and roared at supporters to strike back against Libyan protesters to defend his embattled regime.
2011: Rahm Emanuel
Ten years ago: Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel was elected mayor of Chicago.
2016: Barack Obama
Five years ago: President Barack Obama sent lawmakers an official $1.9 billion request to combat the spread of the Zika virus in Latin America and the U.S. (Congress passed a $1.1 billion package in Sept. 2016.)
2016: Sonny James
Five years ago: Country singer Sonny James, 87, died in Nashville.
2017: The Trump Administration
In 2017, the Trump administration lifted federal guidelines that said transgender students should be allowed to use public school bathrooms and locker rooms matching their chosen gender identity.
2020: Barbara Smith
One year ago: Barbara Smith, known as “B.” Smith, a top Black model who went on to open restaurants and launch a home products line, died at the age of 70 at her suburban New York home after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
2020: Bernie Sanders
One year ago: Bernie Sanders scored a resounding win in Nevada’s presidential caucuses, cementing his status as the Democrats’ front-runner.
2020: Coronavirus
One year ago: A dozen towns in northern Italy effectively went into lockdown after the deaths of two people infected with the coronavirus. South Korea reported an eight-fold jump in viral infections, with more than 400 cases mostly linked to a church and a hospital.
2020: Mike Hughes
One year ago: Self-styled daredevil Mike Hughes, 64, died after a rocket in which he launched himself crashed into the ground near Barstow, California; he had said he wanted to fly to the edge of outer space to see if the world is round.
2020: Tyson Fury
One year ago: British boxer Tyson Fury beat Deontay Wilder in their rematch in Las Vegas to win the heavyweight title for a second time.
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