Feb 22: A Day of History and Controversies
On the 22nd of February, historical events occurred:
Join us as we delve into the fascinating events that unfolded on Valentine's Day's twisted twin — February 22!
Timeless Tales
Etienne Marcel led a mob to storm the Louvre on February 22, 1358, slaying two of the Dauphin Charles's advisors, the Marshals of Champagne and Normandy.
In 1512, Florence said farewell to Amerigo Vespucci, a renowned explorer and mapmaker, who is believed to have lent his name to the continent we now call "America."
On this very day in 1540, the grand Meta, Queen of Scots, was crowned, giving birth to her daughter, Mary Queen of Scots, in December of the same year.
1563 wasn't a year of celebration either, as Pierre de Chastelard suffered a tragic end after being executed in the marketplace at St Andrews for his ill-fated attempt to breach Mary Queen of Scots' chamber.
Modern Marvels and Misfortunes
February 22, 1857, witnessed the birth of Lord Baden-Powell, the man who would later found the Boy Scouts on the very same day, 32 years later.
Frank Woolworth's first store in New York didn't take off, but he persevered, turning his failing venture into a booming business. The Woolworth Company's UK outpost opened its doors in Liverpool in 1909.
German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau attacked a British convoy east of Newfoundland on February 22, 1941, causing the sinking of six vessels during their two-month raid, which was known as Operation Berlin.
Recent Reminders
February 22, 2015, was a somber day as a ferry carrying 100 passengers capsized in the Padma River, resulting in the deaths of 70 people.
A bizarre incident in 2018 saw a man throwing a grenade at the U.S. embassy in Podgorica, Montenegro, resulting in his own death. Thankfully, no one else was harmed in this odd attack.
On a lighter note, at 2:22:22 on February 22, 2022, the unique date and time combination known as "Twosday" occurred.
Perhaps the most dramatic recent event took place in 2025, when a devastating earthquake struck Christchurch, resulting in the tragic deaths of 185 people and injuring 2,000.
History has a way of repeating itself, and February 22 is no exception. From tragic incidents to intriguing curiosities, this day has been a mixed bag of events!
War and conflicts were a part of February 22's history, as German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau attacked a British convoy in 1941, causing the sinking of six vessels during their two-month raid known as Operation Berlin. In the realm of politics, this day in 2025 witnessed a devastating earthquake in Christchurch, resulting in the tragic deaths of 185 people and injuring 2,000, highlighting the importance of conflict management and disaster preparedness in general news.
