Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
February 22 Sunday, February 22, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 22 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
7
Holidays
1881
World history 145 years ago
Cleopatra's Needle, a 3,500-year-old Ancient Egyptian obelisk is erected in Central Park, New York.
Cleopatra's Needle, a 3,500-year-old Egyptian obelisk originally from Heliopolis, is erected in Central Park after a complex transatlantic journey.
History
What happened on February 22
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 896Religion
Pope Formosus crowns Arnulf of Carinthia as Emperor in Rome. Arnulf suffers a stroke soon after and retreats from Italy.
Pope Formosus crowns Arnulf of Carinthia as Emperor in Rome; shortly after, Arnulf suffers a stroke and leaves Italy.
- 1076Religion
Having received a letter during the Lenten synod of 14-20 February demanding that he abdicate, Pope Gregory VII excommunicates Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor.
Pope Gregory VII excommunicates Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor, in response to a letter demanding his abdication.
- 1288Religion
The Franciscan Girolamo Maschi is elected pope, choosing the name Nicholas IV.
Girolamo Maschi, a Franciscan friar, is elected pope and takes the name Nicholas IV.
- 1316European history
The Battle of Picotin, between Ferdinand of Majorca and the forces of Matilda of Hainaut, ends in victory for Ferdinand.
Ferdinand of Majorca defeats the forces of Matilda of Hainaut in the Battle of Picotin.
- 1371UK history
Robert II becomes King of Scotland, beginning the Stuart dynasty.
Robert II becomes king of Scotland, marking the start of the Stuart dynasty.
- 1495European history
King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne.
King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the throne of the Kingdom of Naples, marking the height of his Italian campaign.
- 1632Science
Ferdinando II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, the dedicatee, receives the first printed copy of Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems.
Ferdinando II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and dedicatee of the work, receives the first printed copy of Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems.
- 1651Disaster
St. Peter's Flood: A storm surge floods the Frisian coast, drowning 15,000 people.
A storm surge inundates the Frisian coast, resulting in the deaths of approximately 15,000 people.
- 1770US history
British customs officer Ebenezer Richardson fires blindly into a crowd during a protest in North End, Boston, fatally wounding 11-year-old Christopher Seider; the first American fatality of the American Revolution.
Ebenezer Richardson, a British customs officer, fires into a crowd during a protest in North End, Boston, killing 11-year-old Christopher Seider.
- 1797UK history
The last Invasion of Britain begins near Fishguard, Wales.
A French expedition led by Comte d'Artois's forces lands near Fishguard, marking the last invasion attempt on British soil.
- 1881World history
Cleopatra's Needle, a 3,500-year-old Ancient Egyptian obelisk is erected in Central Park, New York.
Cleopatra's Needle, a 3,500-year-old Egyptian obelisk originally from Heliopolis, is erected in Central Park after a complex transatlantic journey.
- 1980Sports
Miracle on Ice: In Lake Placid, New York, the United States hockey team defeats the Soviet Union hockey team 4-3.
The U.S. hockey team defeats the Soviet Union 4-3 in a surprising victory at the Winter Olympics.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 22
7 this date All birthdays
Horst Köhler
Polish-German economist and politician, 9th President of Germany
Horst Köhler, the German economist and politician who served as the 9th President of Germany from 2004 to 2010, was born today in 1943.
Born
1943
Died
2025
Alexis Bachelot
French priest and missionary
1796 – 1837
Clarence 13X
American religious leader, founded the Nation of Gods and Earths
1928 – 1969
Sparky Anderson
American baseball player and manager
1934 – 2010
Pirjo Honkasalo
Finnish director, cinematographer, and screenwriter
b. 1947 · 79
Vijay Singh
Fijian-American golfer
b. 1963 · 63
Jeanette Biedermann
German singer-songwriter and actress
b. 1980 · 46
Music
The number one songs on February 22
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 22, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport February 22, 1980
Miracle on Ice: In Lake Placid, New York, the United States hockey team defeats the Soviet Union hockey team 4-3.
The U.S. hockey team defeats the Soviet Union 4-3 in a surprising victory at the Winter Olympics.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 22, 1997
In Roslin, Midlothian, British scientists announce that an adult sheep named Dolly has been successfully cloned.
British scientists in Roslin announce the successful cloning of an adult sheep named Dolly.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Birthday of Scouting and Guiding founder Robert Baden-Powell and Olave Baden-Powell, and its related observance: Founder's Day or "B.-P. day" (World Organization of the Scout Movement)
International
Scouts' Day or Guides' Day is a generic term for special days observed by members of the Scouting movement throughout the year
Birthday of Scouting and Guiding founder Robert Baden-Powell and Olave Baden-Powell, and its related observance: World Thinking Day (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts)
International
World Thinking Day, formerly Thinking Day, is celebrated annually on 22 February by all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
Crime Victims Day (Europe)
International
Holidays in Poland are regulated by the Non-working Days Act of 18 January 1951
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Saint Lucia from the United Kingdom in 1979.
International
Founding Day (Saudi Arabia)
International
Saudi Founding Day, officially the Founding Day, is a public holiday in Saudi Arabia celebrated annually on February 22 to commemorate the enthronement of Muhammad bin Saud as the emir of the oasis to
Washington's Birthday, federal holiday in the United States. A holiday on February 22 as well as the third Monday in February.
International
Presidents' Day, officially Washington's Birthday at the federal governmental level, is a holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February
❝
Globalization is not a zero-sum game. It is a positive-sum game if we manage it properly.
— Horst Köhler · born February 22, 1943