Almanac of History and Births for February 22
On this day in 1819 Florida was ceded to the United States from Spain via the Fionda Purchase Treaty signed by John Quincy Adams. Also marked are Woolworths opening in Utica New York in 1879 and Aldrich Ames arrested in 1994 for selling secrets to the Soviet Union. Today’s births include George Washington and Edna St Vincent Millay among others. The 53rd day of 2003 falls on February 22, with sports noting the 1980 US hockey Olympic gold and a Millay quote. Moon phase spans from February 16 to the last quarter on February 23.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Florida
United States
Spain
John Quincy Adams
Woolworths
Utica
N.Y
CIA
Aldrich Ames
Mana
Soviet Union
George Washington
U.S
Arthur Schopenhauer
James Russell Lowell
Edna St
Vincent Millay
Robert Pershing Wadlow
William Frist
Edna St. Vincent Millay
German antidote to judicial fights
Bruce Ackerman argues for reforming U S judicial appointments drawing on German model elements. He cites two key rules a two thirds majority and 12 year terms to curb extremism and keep the court centered, proposing filibusters and older nominees to reduce partisan clashes and preserve legitimacy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senate
Miguel Estrada
U.S. Court of Appeals
Bush
Constitutional Court
Supreme Court
Estrada
Court of Appeals
U.S. Supreme Court
Dame Edna satire sparks debate on humor and bigotry
Ana Veciana-Suarez discusses Vanity Fair's Dame Edna column and the backlash over racial stereotypes. She argues satire can mask prejudice while noting readers’ sensitivity to demeaning jokes. She questions media choices and the impact of humor across cultures.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dame Edna
Swami
Barry Humphries
The
Chi
Vanity Fair
Edna
Garcia Lorca
National Association of Hispanic Journalists
Toni Morrison
Salma Hayek
Should America decriminalize Marijuana use
NORML founder Keith Stroup argues marijuana prohibition wastes law enforcement resources and devastates responsible citizens. He urges a legally regulated market, private use decriminalization, and ends arrests for possession while citing Carter’s 1977 stance and NORML’s advocacy. He invites readers to write to NORML for discussion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ment
Jimmy Carter
Congress
Carter
NORML
Keith Stroup
National Organization For the Reform of
Norml.org
K Street NW
Suite 501
Washington, DC
Destructive desire and the drug legalization debate
Manon G McKinnon argues against marijuana legalization, citing Bush’s call for treatment funding and studies linking marijuana to future drug use. The piece notes voter rejections of pot initiatives in Nevada Ohio Arizona and South Dakota and frames legalization as increasing rather than reducing drug misery. It highlights health harms, legal concerns, and urges continued comprehensive strategies.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bush
Journal of the American Medical Association
Ohio
Arizona
Nevada
South Dakota
Time Magazine
Michigan
Florida
Also Mentioned on This Page
Almanac
N M
Bruce Ackerman
Los Angeles Times
US Supreme Court
Alexander Bickel
Giannis
Ackerman
Law
Yale
Blacks Asia
Lattinos
Ana Veciana-Suarez
Miami Herald
Mian Herald
Herald Plaza
Aveciana
Herald.com
Ana Veciana
Suarez
America
KRT Forum
Manon G McKinnon
Howard Court
Falls Church
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!