Almanac - Wednesday February 22, 2023

1888 — Painter Horace Pippin was born. He was a self-taught artist who painted a range of themes, including scenes inspired by his service in World War I, landscapes, portraits, and biblical subjects.

1911 — Activist and social reformer Frances Ellis Watkins Harper died. She was the first African American woman to publish a short story, and also an influential abolitionist, suffragist and reformer who co-founded the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs.

1938 —Ishmael Reed was born. He was a poet, novelist, essayist, songwriter, playwright, editor and publisher known for his satirical works challenging American political culture.

1950 — Basketball player Julius “Dr J” Erving was born. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential basketball players of all time.

1979 — Frank E. Peterson Jr. named the first Black general in the U.S. Marine Corps.

1989 — DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince won the first rap Grammy for their single “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”

Also on this day in history…

1872 – The Prohibition Party holds its first national convention in Columbus, Ohio, nominating James Black as its presidential nominee.

1879 – In Utica, New York, Frank Woolworth opens the first of many of five-and-dime Woolworth stores.

1973 – Cold War: Following President Richard Nixon's visit to the People's Republic of China, the two countries agree to establish liaison offices.

1974 – Samuel Byck attempts to hijack an aircraft at Baltimore/Washington International Airport with the intention of crashing it into the White House to assassinate Richard Nixon, but is killed by police.

1979 – Saint Lucia gains independence from the United Kingdom.

1983 – The notorious Broadway flop Moose Murders opens and closes on the same night at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

1986 – Start of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines.

1994 – Aldrich Ames and his wife are charged by the United States Department of Justice with spying for the Soviet Union.

1997 – In Roslin, Midlothian, British scientists announce that an adult sheep named Dolly has been successfully cloned.

2011 – New Zealand's second deadliest earthquake strikes Christchurch, killing 185 people.

2014 – President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine is impeached by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine by a vote of 328–0, fulfilling a major goal of the Euromaidan rebellion.

2015 – A ferry carrying 100 passengers capsizes in the Padma River, killing 70 people.

..and if today is your birthday, Happy Birthday To You! You get to share cherry pie with…

1732 – George Washington, American general and politician, 1st President of the United States (d. 1799)

1892 – Edna St. Vincent Millay, American poet and playwright (d. 1950)

1900 – Luis Buñuel, Spanish-Mexican director and producer (d. 1983)

1907 – Sheldon Leonard, American actor, director, and producer (d. 1997)

1907 – Robert Young, American actor (d. 1998)

1918 – Don Pardo, American radio and television announcer (d. 2014)

1930 – Marni Nixon, American soprano and actress (d. 2016)

1932 – Ted Kennedy, American soldier, lawyer, and politician (d. 2009)

1933 – Ernie K-Doe, American R&B singer (d. 2001)

1938 – Ishmael Reed, American poet, novelist, essayist

1951 – Ellen Greene, American singer and actress

1962 – Steve Irwin, Australian zoologist and television host (d. 2006)

1975 – Drew Barrymore, American actress, director, producer, and screenwriter

Almanac - Wednesday February 22, 2023

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