February 22

February 22 (formerly George Washington's Birthday) in the history of the Birmingham District:

• 2010: NewsTalk 100 WAPI was launched by Citadel Communications.
• 2008: Cleve Eaton was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
• 2007: Andy Craig was named the permanent superintendent of Hoover City Schools.
• 2007: Alabaster Boulevard was opened.
• 2005: The Magic City Flickr Group was founded.
• 1984: HealthSouth was incorporated.
• 1977: Queen's "A Day at the Races" tour played at Boutwell Auditorium.
• 1966: Five people were wounded by gunfire during a Southern Christian Leadership Conference protest against discriminatory hiring practices at the Liberty Super Market in North Birmingham.
• 1956: Bruno's supermarket at 407 19th Street in Bessemer held its grand opening.
• 1904: Lauderdale College opened in Collegeville.
• 1898: The Alabama Colonial Dames of America was chartered.
• 1898: Rex Ball was held to crown Rex Vulcan III King of Mardi Gras.
• 1890: Thomas Furnace No. 2 was blown in.
• 1863: Wallace S. McElwain purchased an 80 acre parcel upon which he built the Cahaba Iron Works.

Richard North Patterson, born February 22, 1947

Births

• 1947: Attorney and novelist Richard North Patterson was born.
• 1947: Attorney De Martenson was born in Boston, Massachusetts.
• 1937: Educator Sid Ingram was born in Tarrant.
• 1933: Actress and philanthropist Bonnie Bolding Swearingen was born in Joppa.
• 1918: Oakland A's owner Charlie Finley was born in Ensley.
• 1862: Historian Idyl King Sorsby was born in Montevallo.

Deaths

• 2007: Railroad worker and "Gandy dancer" John Henry Mealing died.
• 1895: Bicycle repairman and merchant Ernest Loosley died.

Sports

• 2015: Joseph Amenya won the Mercedes Marathon with a time of 2:19:09.
• 1893: Auburn defeated Alabama 32-22 in the first Iron Bowl, played at Lakeview Park in Birmingham.