February 22 is not a very historically significant day for Idaho, but here are 5 interesting facts that occurred on this day:

1. In 1895, the Idaho State Penitentiary opened its doors to its first group of inmates. The penitentiary remained in operation until 1973 and is now a historical site and museum.

2. In 1972, Idaho became the first state to auction off a license to hunt one bighorn sheep. This was done to raise funds for the state’s conservation efforts, and the practice has since been adopted by other states.

3. In 1985, the Sun Valley Alpine Ski World Cup was held in Idaho. This event featured some of the world’s top skiers competing in downhill, slalom, and giant slalom races.

4. In 2006, the state of Idaho officially adopted the “Famous Potatoes” license plate. Idaho is known for producing a large amount of potatoes, and the license plate is a nod to this important industry.

5. In 2010, an avalanche in the Selkirk Mountains of Idaho killed two snowmobilers and injured four others. This tragedy highlights the dangers of backcountry snow sports and the importance of being prepared and aware of avalanche risks.