Today in History - History - February 22nd

2009Heath Ledger, posthumously, wins the Academy Award for Best Supporting Act for his performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight"

1892"Lady Windermere's Fan" by Oscar Wilde premieres at St James (London)

1632Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems is published.

1962Wilt Chamberlain sets NBA record with 34 free throw attempts

1835HMS Beagle/Charles Darwin leave Valdivia Chile

1942World War II: President Franklin Roosevelt orders General Douglas MacArthur out of the Philippines as American defenses collapse

1939Netherlands recognizes Franco regime in Spain

1989UK physicist Stephen Hawking calls Star Wars a "deliberate fraud"

1976Kathy Whitworth wins LPGA Bent Tree Golf Classic

1980USA beats USSR in Olympic hockey 4-3, referred to as "Miracle on Ice". USA captain Mike Eruzione scores winning goal in 3rd period

1732George Washington, Westmoreland, Virginia, 1st American president (1789-97)

1972Michael Chang, Hoboken New Jersey, tennis star (1989 French Open)

1975Drew Barrymore, Los Angeles California, actress (ET, Firestarter, Poison Ivy)

1950Julius Erving, Nassau County New York, ABA/NBA forward (Virg Squirers, NY Nets, Phila 76ers)

1962Steve Irwin, Melbourne Victoria, Australian naturalist and TV personality (The Crocodile Hunter)

1965Pat LaFontaine, St Louis Missouri, NHL center (NY Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, NY Rangers)

1997Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez (27) weds Ojani Noa on the grounds of a friend's Miami home

1767US Defector General Benedict Arnold (26) weds the daughter of the sheriff of New Haven Margaret Mansfield

1941CIA Director William Casey (27) weds Sophia Kurz

1991Actor Bill Bixby (57) weds Laura Michael (32)

1987Andy Warhol, pop artist, dies of a heart attack at 58

1875Charles Lyell, British geologist (Elements of Geology), dies at 77