Today in History - February 22 (2024)

George Washington, the first president of the United States, was born on February 22, 1732. His birthday is celebrated as a federal holiday in the United States along with Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on “Washington’s Birthday” — the Monday before Washington’s birthday and after Lincoln’s February 12 birthday.

Today in History - February 22 (1)

How do we really know when George Washington was born? Tobias Lear, Washington’s secretary and close friend, gave the world a clue. Lear lived with George and Martha Washington at Mt. Vernon, and he helped the Revolutionary War general organize his papers. On February 14, 1790, Lear wrote that the president’s “birth day” was on the 11th of February Old Style, referring to the Julian Calendar. Washington was born twenty years prior to the 1752 introduction of the Gregorian Calendar (intended to more accurately reflect a solar year). When the Julian Calendar was “corrected” to the Gregorian Calendar, February 11 became February 22.

Today in History - February 22 (2)

George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. When his father died in 1743, young George was sent to live with relatives first at Ferry Farm and later at Mt. Vernon, the estate of his elder half-brother Lawrence. The first president of the United States was self-educated, privately tutored, and homeschooled by his father and his brother Lawrence for eight years. This constituted his “formal” schooling.

A county surveyor and colonial activist, he later became a delegate to the Continental Congress and was commissioned as commander-in-chief of revolutionary America’s armed forces, a position that John Hanco*ck had hoped to assume. George Washington was elected president of the United States in 1789 and reelected in 1792. His expanded remarks, after taking the oath of office in 1793 set a precedent for future presidential inaugural addresses.

Today in History - February 22 (3)

A copy of Washington’s First Inaugural Address is available in the Letterbooks series in the George Washington Papers where it can be viewed along side a transcript of the speech.

Letters were an important form of communication in eighteenth-century America. So important were they that individuals like George Washington kept letterbooks, large bound volumes used to retain copies of incoming and outgoing correspondence. In this letter to the Continental Congress, General Washington reports on the Battle of Brandywine. It is one example of Washington’s voluminous correspondence. The Introduction to the Index to the George Washington Papers, describes their provenance and publication history.

Tomorrow is Your Excellency’s birthday anniversary, I propose to celebrate it, in a great ball which I give on that account.

Letter, Jean B. Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau to George Washington, February 10, 1782. Series 4, General Correspondence, 1697 to 1799. George Washington Papers. Manuscript Division

On February 10, 1782, the comte de Rochambeau wrote Washington of his intention to give a ball the following day to celebrate Washington’s birthday. On February 23, 1782, Washington wrote Rochambeau a letter in which he thanked the comte for honoring him in this way.

What kind of dances did the guests enjoy at Washington’s birthday ball? To form an idea of the type of dance that was performed during the American colonial period, see the essays on baroque and late eighteenth-century social dance in the special presentation on the history of dance accompanying An American Ballroom Companion: Dance Instruction Manuals, ca. 1490 to 1920.

View video clips of dancers performing dance figures typical of this period by browsing the collection’s Video Directory.

Guests at Rochambeau’s ball would have been familiar with French, Italian, and English masters of social dance. Included in the collection are eighteenth-century dance manuals in these languages, such as Alexis Bacquoy-Guédon’s Méthode pour Exercer l’Oreille (1785), Gennaro Magri’s Trattato Teorico-prattico di Ballo (1779), and an anonymous English manual, The Gentleman & Lady’s Companion (1798). By the 1790s, Americans such as M. J. C. Fraisier and Asa Willcox were publishing their own collections of dances.

Today in History - February 22 (2024)

FAQs

What happened this day in history on Feb 22nd? ›

1909 – Great White Fleet, 1st US fleet to circle the globe, returns to Virginia. 1942 – ' I Shall Return', World War II: President Franklin Roosevelt orders General Douglas MacArthur out of the Philippines as American defenses collapse. 1957 – Walter O'Malley says Dodgers may play 10 exhibitions in California in 1958.

What is the special day of February 22nd? ›

Founders Day - (World Organization of the Scout Movement) Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day - February 22, 2024 (Thursday in National Engineer's Week which is February 18-24, 2024) National Cook a Sweet Potato Day. National Margarita Day.

What happened on February 22 in sports history? ›

On Feb. 22, 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.)

What president was born on February 22nd? ›

On the third Monday in February, we honor our first President, George Washington, whose birthday is February 22. We also traditionally honor President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12.

Why is February 22 so special? ›

George Washington, the first president of the United States, was born on February 22, 1732. His birthday is celebrated as a federal holiday in the United States along with Abraham Lincoln's birthday on “Washington's Birthday” — the Monday before Washington's birthday and after Lincoln's February 12 birthday.

What happened on February 22, 1971? ›

From Sunday to Monday, February 21–22, 1971, a devastating tornado outbreak, colloquially known as the Mississippi Delta outbreak, struck portions of the Lower Mississippi and Ohio River valleys in the Southern and Midwestern United States.

What is the symbol for February 22? ›

Pisces (astrology)
Pisces
Zodiac symboltwo fish
Duration (tropical, western)February 19 – March 20 (2024, UT1)
ConstellationPisces
Zodiac elementWater
8 more rows

What saint day is February 22? ›

Every year on February 22, the Church celebrates the feast of the Chair of St. Peter, to commemorate St. Peter's teaching in Rome. Already in the second half of the 18th century an ancient wooden chair inlaid with ivory was venerated and traditionally held to be the Episcopal chair on which St.

Who was born on February 22nd? ›

22. Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Drew Barrymore, Julius Erving, James Blunt, Tom Higgenson, Lea Salonga, Kyle MacLachlan and Bill Frist.

What happened on February 22 1973? ›

February 22, 1973 (Thursday)

Following President Richard Nixon's visit to mainland China, the United States and the People's Republic of China agreed to establish liaison offices.

What happened on February 22 1986? ›

The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22 to 25, 1986. There was a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud.

What happened on February 22 in rock history? ›

1960: Percy Faith had a relatively brief climb to #1 (seven weeks) with "The Theme from 'A Summer Place'". 1962: Elvis reigned on the U.K. chart with the double-sided "Rock-A-Hula Baby"/"Can't Help Falling In Love". 1963: The Beatles began the Northern Music Publishing Company with Dick James.

Which day is celebrated on 22 February? ›

World Thinking Day 2024: World Thinking Day is observed on February 22 every year. The day celebrates the friendship, sisterhood, and empowerment of girls and young women all over the world. World Thinking Day is celebrated to strengthen the bond shared by young women and explore ways to empower them.

Why is President's Day set for February 22nd? ›

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 (N.S.). Washington's Birthday was celebrated on this date from 1879 until 1970. To give federal employees a three-day weekend, in 1968 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the third Monday in February, which can occur from February 15 to the 21st.

Who was the only president to be born in February? ›

George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan and William Henry Harrison were the only four presidents of the U.S. born in February.

What is significant about the date February 22 1889? ›

An Act to provide for the division of Dakota into two states and enable the people of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington to form constitutions and state governments (Enabling Act of 1889), February 22, 1889.

What happened on February 22 in black history? ›

Black Facts for February 22. nd

In West Chester, Pennsylvania, African American painter Horace Pippin was born. Pippin is considered one of the major American painters of his period. One of his more significant works, John Brown Going to His Hanging, is owned by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. 1st Grammy!

What is the personality of someone born on February 22? ›

Those born on February 22nd show wise and kind people with honest minds. It shows a desire to succeed in you, and you often use all kinds of schemes to make it come true. You are a peaceful, loving person who shows compassion and empathy for others. You are a loyal and confident person who is very helpful.

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