Calendar Page for February 21, 2025
Saints
- Germanus
- Petrus
Historical Events
2024
- Halt to DFL Negotiations with Major Investor: After weeks of fan protests, the German Football League (DFL) suspends negotiations with a potential major investor. The DFL had sought to secure one billion euros for a percentage stake in TV revenues.
2005
- Novartis Acquires Hexal: Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis acquires German generics manufacturer Hexal. The merger with Novartis’ Sandoz division creates the world’s largest producer of generic drugs.
- Birth of a New German Daily: "Financial Times Deutschland" (FTD) debuts after a year of preparation. Published by Gruner+Jahr and Pearson Group, the salmon-colored newspaper focuses on financial news. It operates until 2012.
2000
- Tragic Swissair Crash: A bomb detonates in the baggage compartment of a Swissair jet seven minutes after takeoff from Zurich. The plane crashes near Würenlingen, killing all 47 passengers and crew. The attack is claimed by a Palestinian terrorist group.
1965
- Assassination of Malcolm X: Political activist Malcolm X, a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement, is shot and killed during a speech in New York City.
1963
- Birth of Karl Lauterbach: Karl Lauterbach, a German physician and politician (SPD), is born. He serves as Federal Minister of Health from 2021 onward.
Notable Births
1955
- Gerhard Gundermann: German singer-songwriter, known for his songs "Gestern waren wir überbezahlt" ("Yesterday We Were Overpaid") and "Engel über dem Revier" ("Angels over the Industrial Area").
1950
- Håkan Nesser: Swedish crime fiction writer, author of "The Inspector and Silence" and "Kim Novak Never Bathed in the Sea of Galilee."
1945
- Walter Momper: German politician (SPD), Mayor of Berlin from 1989 to 1990.
Notable Deaths
2005
- Horst Drinda: German actor, one of the most popular stage and film performers in East Germany. Known for roles in "Die besten Jahre" ("The Best Years") and the TV series "Zur See" ("By the Lake").
