TODAY IN HISTORY
TODAY IS FRIDAY, FEB. 22, the 53rd day of 2019. There are 312 days left in the year.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT IN HISTORY: On this date in 1997, scientists in Scotland announced they had succeeded in cloning an adult mammal, producing a lamb named “Dolly.” Dolly was later put down after a short life marred by premature aging and disease.
In 1630, English colonists in the Massachusetts Bay Colony first sampled popcorn brought to them by a Native American named Quadequina for their Thanksgiving celebration.
In 1732 (New Style date), the first president of the United States, George Washington, was born in Westmoreland County in the Virginia Colony.
In 1862, Jefferson Davis, already the provisional president of the Confederacy, was inaugurated for a six-year term following his election in November 1861.
In 1935, it became illegal for airplanes to fly over the White House.
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.
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. The communists were driven out, but later returned. In 1974, Pakistan officially recognized Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan.
In 1980, the “Miracle on Ice” took place in Lake Placid, N.Y., as the United States Olympic hockey team upset the Soviets, 4-3. The U.S. team went on to win the gold medal.
In 1984, David Vetter, a 12-year-old Texas boy who 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 bonemarrow transplant.
In 1987, pop artist Andy Warhol died at a New York City hospital at age 58.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Actor James Hong is 90. Actor John Ashton is 71. Actresses Miou-Miou and Julie Walters, and Basketball Hall-of-Famer Julius Erving are 69. Actress Ellen Greene is 68. Actor Kyle MacLachlan is 60. World Golf Hall-of-Famer Vijay Singh is 56. Actor Paul Lieberstein is 52. Actress Jeri Ryan is 51. Actress Tamara Mello is 49. Actress-singer Lea Salonga and actor Jose Solano are 48. International Tennis Hall-of-Famer Michael Chang is 47. Rock musician Scott Phillips is 46. Singer James Blunt is 45. Actresses Drew Barrymore and Liza Huber are 44. Rock singer Tom Higgenson (Plain White T’s) is 40. Rock musician Joe Hottinger (Halestorm) is 37. Actor Zach Roerig is 34. Actor Daniel E. Smith is 29.