What Happened in February? Historical Events & Milestones • Page 14

2005 CE, February 16

The Kyoto Protocol officially entered into force on February 16, 2005. It had been signed (adopted) in Kyoto, Japan, on December 11, 1997. The international treaty was a major step in global climate policy as it aimed to achieve reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.

2006 CE, February 10

The 2006 Winter Olympics open in Turin, Italy. on February 10, 2006, lasting until February 26.

2007 CE, February 3

A suicide one ton bomb detonates in a busy market in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, killing 139 people and injuring over 300 people. The bomb brought down at least 10 buildings and coffee shops and completely destroyed market stalls in a largely Shi‘ite area.

2008 CE, February 13

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia formally apologizes to the Indigenous Australians at the opening session of Parliament on February 13, 2008 for the Stolen Generations policies, the more than 50,000 Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their parents and raised by white families in an effort to wipe out their culture.

2008 CE, February 17

Kosovo formally declares independence from Serbia established the Republic of Kosovo as a sovereign state on February 17, 2008. The move was supported by the U.S. and major European powers but contested by Serbia and its allies, including Russia. The declaration followed a 78-day NATO bombing campaign in 1999 that ended a crackdown on ethnic Albanians.

2008 CE, February 19

Fidel Castro, formally resigns as president of Cuba after 49 years of complete rule. He was succeeded by his brother Raúl. Fidel had been out of the public eye for 19 months following serious intestinal surgery.

2009 CE, February 7

Australian wildfires, known as "Black Saturday," claim the lives of 173 people injured over 400 and destroy thousands of homes on February 7, 2009. The fires which burned over 1.1 million acres, were caused by extreme heat and drought conditions, resulting in a state of emergency and subsequent government investigations

2010 CE, February 12

The 2010 Winter Olympics open in Vancouver, Canada.

2010 CE, February 18

The Web site WikiLeaks begins posting classified U.S. government documents on February 18, 2010 with the release of a single diplomatic cable known as "Reykjavik13". The documents were provided by army intelligence analyst Bradley (later Chelsea) Manning.

2010 CE, February 27

A magnitude-8.8 earthquake strikes central Chile on February 27, 2010, causing widespread damage and triggering a devastating tsunami with waves reaching up to 29 meters (95 feet). It caused over 500 deaths, destroyed 370,000 homes, affecting 12 million people with an estimated 30 billion in damage. It was the most powerful earthquake to strike the region since the 9.5 magnitude, 1960 earthquake and one of the 10 strongest earthquakes ever recorded.

2011 CE, February 11

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigns on February 11, 2011, amidst widespread protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square which had lasted 18 days. His resignation was a pivotal moment in the Arab Spring uprisings.

2013 CE, February 15

A meteor explodes over Chelyabinsk, Russia, on February 15, 2013, injuring over 1,000 people from its shockwave.

2013 CE, February 28

Benedict XVI resigns on February 28, 2013 at age 85, due to declining health, becoming the first pope to resign in 600 years. He gave a final public address at St. Peter's Square the day before, which was attended by more than 50,000 people. He took the title Pope Emeritus" and was succeeded by Pope Francis. He passed away on December 31, 2022, at age 95.

2014, February 7-23

The 2014 Winter Olympics are held in Sochi, Russia from February 7 to 23, 2014

2015 CE, February 22

"Birdman" wins the Academy Award for Best Picture on February 22, 2015 at the 87th Academy Awards.

2016 CE, February 12

Pope Francis meets Patriarch Kirill in Havana at the first meeting between Catholic and Russian Orthodox church heads for nearly 1,000 years.

2016 CE, February 13

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, dies at the age of 79, on February 13, 2016. He had been appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. At the time of his death, Scalia was the longest-serving member of the Court and known as a champion of originalism and textualism.

2017 CE, February 5

Super Bowl LI on on February 5, 2017, sees the New England Patriots come back from a 28-3 third-quarter deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in the first-ever Super Bowl overtime game.

2018, February 9-25

The 2018 Winter Olympics are held in Pyeongchang, South Korea. from February 9–25, 2018, with some events beginning on February 8.

2020 CE, February 5

The U.S. Senate acquits President Donald Trump on February 5, 2020, of impeachment charges on both articles of impeachment – abuse of power and obstruction of Congress made by the House of Representatives in December 2019.