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Major Events of February 2022: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from February 2022 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of February 2022: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Feb 2022 Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Begins: Queen Elizabeth II commenced her historic Platinum Jubilee celebrations, commemorating an unprecedented 70 years on the British throne, a milestone of royal longevity and service.
  • 02 Feb 2022 SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launches NRO Payload: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched a highly classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) into orbit. The mission, designated NROL-87, is believed to have deployed a sophisticated spy satellite, continuing the United States' strategic intelligence gathering capabilities through advanced space-based reconnaissance technology.
  • 03 Feb 2022 US Special Forces Eliminate ISIS Leader in Syria: During a high-stakes military operation, US Special Forces conducted a raid targeting ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi in Syria. During the operation, al-Qurayshi detonated explosives, killing himself and his family, effectively ending his leadership of the terrorist organization.
  • 04 Feb 2022 U.S. Special Forces Kill ISIS Leader in Syria: Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), was killed during a precise counterterrorism raid conducted by U.S. Special Forces in northwestern Syria. The operation represented a significant blow to the terrorist organization's leadership and continued the U.S. military's efforts to combat ISIS.
  • 05 Feb 2022 Russian Military Drills and Ukraine Tensions Escalate: Russian Tu-22M3 bombers were observed flying across Belarus during large-scale joint military exercises, heightening tensions with Ukraine. Simultaneously, protesters in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and various U.S. cities like Topsham, Maine, organized demonstrations by groups such as Code Pink to protest the potential military escalation and Russian aggression.
  • 06 Feb 2022 Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee: Queen Elizabeth II achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, commemorating an unprecedented 70 years on the throne. This remarkable achievement highlights her extraordinary reign and dedication to the United Kingdom.
  • 07 Feb 2022 Macron-Putin Diplomatic Meeting on Ukraine Crisis: French President Emmanuel Macron traveled to Moscow for a high-stakes diplomatic meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, attempting to de-escalate tensions surrounding the growing military buildup of Russian troops along the Ukrainian border. The meeting was a critical diplomatic effort to prevent potential military conflict and find a peaceful resolution to the mounting geopolitical crisis between Russia and Ukraine.
  • 08 Feb 2022 Attempted Coup in Democratic Republic of Congo: President Felix Tshisekedi reported an attempted coup d'etat, highlighting ongoing political instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo and potential challenges to the current government's legitimacy.
  • 09 Feb 2022 COVID-19 Global Developments: Multiple significant COVID-19 developments occurred: Slovenian Prime Minister Janez JanÅ¡a tested positive with mild symptoms, Sweden lifted almost all pandemic restrictions signaling potential pandemic conclusion, Hong Kong reported record daily cases reaching 17,808, and Johnson & Johnson suspended its COVID-19 vaccine production.
  • 11 Feb 2022 Escalating Tensions in Russo-Ukrainian War: As geopolitical tensions intensified, multiple international governments took urgent diplomatic and security measures. The Biden administration issued a critical warning for Americans to evacuate Ukraine within 48 hours, citing imminent risks from substantial Russian military buildup. Simultaneously, the British Foreign Office advised its nationals to immediately leave the country. The United States strategically deployed 3,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to Poland to reinforce regional security. Israel also took precautionary steps, evacuating embassy staff and diplomats' families from Kyiv and issuing comprehensive travel warnings for its citizens, anticipating a potential large-scale Russian offensive.
  • 12 Feb 2022 Great Backyard Bird Count 2022: The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an annual, global citizen science event where bird enthusiasts and nature lovers participate in a comprehensive bird observation and recording project. In 2022, the event ran from February 12-15, encouraging people worldwide to count and document bird species in their local environments. Participants use mobile apps, online platforms, and traditional field guides to record bird sightings, contributing valuable data to ornithological research and conservation efforts.
  • 13 Feb 2022 Los Angeles Rams Win Super Bowl LVI: The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI, with wide receiver Cooper Kupp named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). This victory marked a significant moment for the Rams franchise and Kupp's career.
  • 14 Feb 2022 Escalating Tensions in Russo-Ukrainian War: On February 14, 2022, the U.S. State Department issued an urgent advisory for Americans to leave Belarus due to imminent war threats. The United States strategically relocated its embassy operations from Kyiv to Lviv, citing a significant buildup of Russian forces along the Russia-Ukraine border. Russia rejected Ukraine's diplomatic request for a crisis meeting with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared February 16 as a 'day of unity', calling on citizens to display national flags and sing the national anthem in a show of solidarity.
  • 15 Feb 2022 Russia Moves to Recognize Separatist Ukrainian Regions: The State Duma of Russia passes legislation to officially recognize the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in Eastern Ukraine as independent states. The bill has been forwarded to President Vladimir Putin for final presidential approval, signaling a significant escalation in the ongoing territorial dispute.
  • 16 Feb 2022 Remington Settles Sandy Hook Lawsuit: Remington Arms agreed to a landmark $73 million settlement with families of victims from the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. This settlement was a significant moment in legal accountability for gun manufacturers.
  • 17 Feb 2022 Brittney Griner Detained in Russia: WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities found cannabis oil vape cartridges in her luggage. Her detention occurred during a period of heightened tensions between the United States and Russia, just prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Griner, a professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury, was traveling to play for a Russian team during the WNBA off-season when she was apprehended.
  • 18 Feb 2022 Biden Warns of Imminent Russian Invasion of Ukraine: President Biden issued a critical warning about the high probability of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, stating there was a strong likelihood of military action within the next several days. He specifically highlighted that Russia was potentially preparing a 'false flag' operation to fabricate a justification for military intervention.
  • 19 Feb 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War Escalation: The Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics declared full military mobilization, initiating civilian evacuations to Russia. Ukrainian military reported two troops killed and four injured by separatist shelling across more than 30 settlements, signaling an intensifying conflict in eastern Ukraine.
  • 20 Feb 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Conclude: The XXIV Olympic Winter Games closed in Beijing, China, with Norway achieving a remarkable record of 16 gold medals, demonstrating the country's exceptional winter sports prowess.
  • 21 Feb 2022 Russian Recognition of Separatist Republics in Ukraine: On February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially declared the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics as independent states, unilaterally breaking away from Ukraine. Putin then ordered Russian troops to move into these regions, escalating tensions in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict. The international community, particularly the United Nations, strongly condemned this action as a violation of Ukraine's territorial sovereignty.
  • 22 Feb 2022 Russia Escalates Ukraine Conflict: Russian President Vladimir Putin officially recognized the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in eastern Ukraine as independent states and subsequently deployed Russian troops to these regions. This provocative action significantly escalated tensions between Russia and Ukraine, drawing widespread international condemnation and marking a critical moment in the lead-up to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
  • 23 Feb 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine Begins: On February 23, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a 'special military operation' against Ukraine, escalating tensions and marking the official start of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Ukraine immediately mobilized its military reserves and urged citizens to evacuate from Russian-controlled territories, anticipating a full-scale invasion.
  • 24 Feb 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine Begins: Russian President Vladimir Putin orders a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, following the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states. This marks a significant escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict and represents the largest conventional military attack in Europe since World War II.
  • 25 Feb 2022 Russia Launches Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine: Russia initiated a comprehensive military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching airstrikes on multiple cities and military installations. Russian troops and armored vehicles entered Ukraine from three strategic directions, reaching the outskirts of Kyiv within 24 hours. This military operation represented the largest ground offensive in Europe since World War II, marking a significant escalation of tensions between the two countries.
  • 26 Feb 2022 Scientific Discovery of Balkanatolia Continent: Researchers published groundbreaking findings about Balkanatolia, a 'lost' continent that existed 35 to 38 million years ago. This geological discovery revealed a critical land bridge connecting southern Europe with Asia, which played a significant role in prehistoric animal migrations. The research provides crucial insights into ancient biogeography and the movement of species during the Eocene epoch.
  • 27 Feb 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Day 4: On February 27, 2022, Russian forces continued their invasion of Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure around Kharkiv and Kyiv. The Ukrainian Army successfully defended its capital and maintained control of key cities. Significant military developments included the destruction of a 56-tank Russian convoy near Kyiv and the reported killing of Chechen General Magomed Tushayev. Russian troops seized administrative buildings in the port city of Berdiansk. In response to the invasion, the international community took decisive actions: the European Union closed its airspace to Russian aircraft and excluded Russian banks from the SWIFT payment system. The United Nations reported that 368,000 refugees had already fled Ukraine. In an escalatory move, Russian President Vladimir Putin placed nuclear forces on high alert, citing perceived aggressive NATO statements. Ukrainian forces effectively used Baykar Bayraktar TB2 drones in their defense strategy.
  • 28 Feb 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Massive Attack on Kharkiv: On February 28, 2022, Russian forces launched a devastating multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine. The assault resulted in dozens of civilian casualties and hundreds of injuries. Eyewitness videos and reports suggested the use of cluster munitions, which are internationally condemned weapons. Simultaneously, a massive 64-kilometer-long convoy of Russian armored vehicles, tanks, and artillery continued its strategic advance towards Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.