02/18-27/1900
The Battle of Paardeberg Drift is Canada’s first great victory overseas, a defining moment in Canadian history. The Royal Canadian Regiment scores the first real victory in the South African War with its defeat of Boer forces under General Piet Cronje. In a fierce and parching battle, the Canadians persist against effective Boer marksmen and determined troops. In the first day of fighting, RCR casualties are 18 men killed, 63 wounded. The battle continues for 10 days of horrid weather, bitter fighting and inadequate supplies and rations. The RCR holds the line to force the Boers to surrender on Feb. 27, the highly symbolic Majuba Day, the anniversary of the Boer triumph over the British in 1881. Paardeberg becomes the first British success in a war that, to that point, was a long succession of disasters.
02/18/1991
While patrolling the Persian Gulf as part of the Coalition offensive against Iraq, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Athabaskan (3rd) is called to assist the United States Navy, whose cruiser, USS Princeton, has been crippled by a mine off Kuwait. The Canadian ship assists by escorting a tug through waters strewn with mines.
02/19-20/1945
The 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade launches a successful, limited-objective set-piece attack against the Goch-Calcar road, southeast of Moyland Wood in Germany.
02/19/1947
Although not yet mass produced, the mobile phone is introduced.
02/20/1959
Prime Minister John Diefenbaker rises in the House of Commons to announce cancellation of the CF-105 Avro Arrow fighter jet project. The decision ends the development of Canada’s most sophisticated fighter-interceptor. Approximately 13,800 people are out of work.
02/21/1941
Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin, dies in a plane crash.
02/22/1942
General Douglas MacArthur receives orders to remove his forces from the Philippines.
02/22/1943
The Canadian corvette HMCS Weyburn hits a mine and sinks near Gibraltar.
02/23/1909
The Silver Dart is the first powered heavier-than-air machine to fly in Canada or the British Empire. Flown by John Alexander Douglas McCurdy at Baddeck, N.S., the aircraft travelled approximately one kilometre.
02/24/1944
While escorting a convoy, the Canadian frigate Waskesiu sinks U-257 in the North Atlantic.
02/24/1981
Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer announce their engagement.
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