1919⚡ Event
Assassination of Kurt Eisner
Bavarian socialist Kurt Eisner, who had established Bavaria as a republic, was assassinated.
politicslaw
This Week in History: Week 8
February 19 – February 25
Over 105 historical moments took place during these 7 days of the calendar year. Explore our curated digest of the most world-changing events, iconic births, and notable deaths.
Explore the Full Daily Timelines
Major Events (February 19 – February 25)(20)
1929⚡ Event
Battle of Zhifu
In the first battle of the Warlord Rebellion in northeastern Shandong, a rebel force led by Zhang Zongchang was defeated by Nationalist government troops.
politicswar
1952⚡ Event
Bengali Language Movement protests
Student protesters demanding Bengali as an official language were killed by police in Dhaka, East Pakistan.
politicslaw
1963⚡ Event
Publication of The Feminine Mystique
Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique", a non-fiction book credited with sparking the beginning of second-wave feminism in the United States, was first published.
literaturepoliticsphilosophy
1965⚡ Event
Attempted Coup in South Vietnam
Colonel Phạm Ngọc Thảo, along with Generals Lâm Văn Phát and Trần Thiện Khiêm, attempted a coup against the military junta of Nguyễn Khánh.
politicswar
1965⚡ Event
Assassination of Malcolm X
Malcolm X, an American Black nationalist, was assassinated while delivering a speech in New York City.
politicslaw
1973⚡ Event
Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 shot down
Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 was shot down by Israeli fighter aircraft over the Sinai Peninsula, killing 108 people.
warpolitics
1988⚡ Event
Nagorno-Karabakh votes to secede
The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast voted to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia on February 20, 1988, triggering the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.
warpolitics
1992⚡ Event
Ross Perot announces presidential campaign possibility
Appearing on Larry King Live on February 20, 1992, U.S. industrialist Ross Perot announced that he would begin a presidential campaign if "ordinary people" wanted him to run for office.
politics
1998⚡ Event
Tara Lipinski wins Olympic gold
At the age of 15, American figure skater Tara Lipinski became the youngest winner of an Olympic gold medal in the history of the Winter Olympic Games on February 20, 1998.
sports
2006⚡ Event
Methane explosion in Mexican coal mine
A methane explosion in a coal mine in Nueva Rosita, Mexico, trapped and killed 65 miners.
disastertechnology
2006⚡ Event
Securitas depot robbery
Seven men staged the largest cash robbery in Britain at a Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent.
law
2009⚡ Event
Tamil Tigers suicide attack attempt
The Tamil Tigers attempted to crash two aircraft laden with C-4 in suicide attacks on Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 20, 2009. The planes were shot down before reaching their targets.
war
2010⚡ Event
Madeira floods
Severe flooding and mudslides on the island of Madeira, Portugal, killed 51 people on February 20, 2010.
disaster
2011⚡ Event
Belitung shipwreck artifacts exhibition
Items from the Belitung shipwreck, the largest single collection of Tang-dynasty artefacts found in one location, were first exhibited in Singapore.
explorationarts
2011⚡ Event
Christchurch earthquake
An earthquake registered 6.3 ML struck Christchurch, New Zealand, causing 185 deaths and significant damage.
disaster
2011⚡ Event
Bahraini uprising protest
Tens of thousands marched in Manama, Bahrain, protesting the deaths of seven people killed by security forces.
politics
2012⚡ Event
Mexican drug war prison riot
Forty-four inmates died in a prison riot in Apodaca, Mexico, between members of Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel.
warlaw
2012⚡ Event
Once railway station disaster
A train crashed through a buffer stop at Once railway station in Buenos Aires, resulting in 51 deaths and over 700 injuries.
disaster
2019⚡ Event
North Korean Embassy break-in in Madrid
A group broke into the North Korean embassy in Madrid, Spain, and stole electronic devices.
politics
Famous Birthdays This Week(15)
1999🎂 Birth
Metawin Opas-iamkajorn
Thai actor and singer Metawin Opas-iamkajorn was born.
entertainmentmusic
2003🎂 Birth
Olivia Rodrigo born
Olivia Rodrigo, American actress and singer, was born on February 20, 2003.
entertainmentmusic
2004🎂 Birth
Jared McCain born
Jared McCain, American basketball player, was born on February 20, 2004.
sports
Notable Deaths This Week(15)
2016🕊️ Death
Umberto Eco dies
Italian novelist, literary critic, and philosopher Umberto Eco died on February 19, 2016. He was born in 1932.
literaturephilosophy
2017🕊️ Death
Larry Coryell dies
American jazz guitarist Larry Coryell died on February 19, 2017. He was born in 1943.
music
2020🕊️ Death
José Mojica Marins
Brazilian filmmaker, actor, composer, screenwriter, and television horror host.
entertainmentarts
2024🕊️ Death
John Bahnsen
John Bahnsen was a United States Army brigadier general and a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.
war
2025🕊️ Death
David Boren
David Boren was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 21st Governor of Oklahoma.
politicslaw
2025🕊️ Death
Jerry Butler
Jerry Butler is an American singer-songwriter and record producer.
musicentertainment
2025🕊️ Death
Lynne Marie Stewart
American actress Lynne Marie Stewart is expected to die.
entertainment
2026🕊️ Death
Rondale Moore
American football player Rondale Moore is expected to die.
sportsentertainment
Trending Topics This Week
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