July 22 stands as a significant date in history, marked by a range of pivotal events across centuries. From the mysterious beginnings of the Roanoke Colony in 1587 to the tragic terror attacks in Norway in 2011, this day encapsulates both human triumph and tragedy. What other defining moments shaped this date, and how do they reflect the broader scope of our past?
History
Major Historical Events
1587 – Roanoke Colony Established: On this day, a second group of English settlers arrived on Roanoke Island, off the coast of what is now North Carolina, under the leadership of John White.
This colony, intended to be a permanent English settlement in the New World, would later become infamous as the “Lost Colony” after its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared by 1590.
1933 – Wiley Post Completes First Solo Flight Around the World: American aviator Wiley Post completed the first solo flight around the world on July 22, landing in New York after a journey of 15,596 miles over seven days, 18 hours, and 49 minutes.
This remarkable feat showcased advancements in aviation and cemented Post’s place in history as a pioneering pilot.
1942 – Holocaust Deportations Begin in Warsaw Ghetto: During World War II, the systematic deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka extermination camp began on this date.
Over the following weeks, more than 250,000 people were forcibly removed, marking one of the darkest chapters of the Holocaust.
2011 – Norway Terror Attacks: On July 22, Norway experienced one of its deadliest attacks when Anders Behring Breivik carried out a bombing in Oslo and a mass shooting on the island of Utøya.
The attacks claimed 77 lives, mostly young people attending a youth camp, and shocked the world with their brutality.
Famous Birthdays
1889 – James Whale: English film director James Whale, best known for directing the classic horror films “Frankenstein” (1931) and “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935), was born on this day in Dudley, England.
His innovative storytelling shaped the horror genre for decades.
1940 – Alex Trebek: Beloved television host Alex Trebek, known for presenting the quiz show “Jeopardy!” for over three decades, was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
His wit and charm made him a cultural icon until his passing in 2020.
1964 – David Spade: American actor and comedian David Spade, recognized for his roles in “Saturday Night Live” and films like “Tommy Boy,” was born on this day in Birmingham, Michigan.
His sarcastic humor has entertained audiences for years.
1992 – Selena Gomez: Pop singer and actress Selena Gomez, who rose to fame on Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” and later became a chart-topping artist, was born in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Her influence extends to mental health advocacy and philanthropy.
1980 – Kate Ryan: Belgian singer and songwriter Kate Ryan, known for her dance-pop hits like “Désenchantée,” was born on this day in Tessenderlo, Belgium.
She has been a prominent figure in European music since the early 2000s.
Notable Deaths
1934 – John Dillinger: Infamous American bank robber John Dillinger, often dubbed “Public Enemy No. 1,” was shot and killed by FBI agents outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago on this day.
His criminal exploits during the Great Depression made him a folk legend.
1967 – Carl Sandburg: American poet, historian, and author Carl Sandburg, known for his works like “Chicago Poems” and his biography of Abraham Lincoln, passed away on July 22 in Flat Rock, North Carolina.
His contributions to literature earned him multiple Pulitzer Prizes.
2008 – Estelle Getty: Actress Estelle Getty, best known for her role as Sophia Petrillo on the television series “The Golden Girls,” died on this day in Los Angeles, California.
Her sharp wit and comedic timing made her a fan favorite.
Today in Music History
1963 – The Beatles Release “Introducing… The Beatles”: The Beatles’ first U.S. album, “Introducing… The Beatles,” was released on this day by Vee-Jay Records, though it initially saw limited success.
This marked an early step in their eventual domination of the American music scene.
1996 – Donovan Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award: Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Mojo Awards on July 22.
Known for hits like “Sunshine Superman,” his folk-rock contributions shaped the 1960s music landscape.
2013 – Lady Gaga Announces “ARTPOP”: On this day, Lady Gaga revealed the title of her upcoming album “ARTPOP” via social media, sparking excitement among fans.
The album, released later that year, blended pop with electronic influences and avant-garde themes.
Today in Sports History
1921 – Jack Dempsey Defends Heavyweight Title: American boxer Jack Dempsey successfully defended his world heavyweight title on July 22 by defeating Frenchman Georges Carpentier in Jersey City, New Jersey.
The bout, dubbed the “Battle of the Century,” drew massive crowds and radio attention.
1986 – Greg LeMond Wins Tour de France: Cyclist Greg LeMond became the first American to win the Tour de France on this day, completing the grueling race with an impressive performance.
His victory marked a historic moment for American cycling.
2009 – Michael Phelps Breaks World Record: On July 22, swimmer Michael Phelps broke the world record in the 200-meter butterfly at the U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis.
This achievement added to his legacy as one of the greatest Olympians of all time.
2015 – Serena Williams Continues Dominance: Tennis star Serena Williams won her 21st Grand Slam singles title on this day at Wimbledon, defeating Garbiñe Muguruza.
Her victory solidified her status as one of the all-time greats in women’s tennis.
Today in Military and Naval History
1802 – USS Constitution Launched: The USS Constitution, one of the first frigates of the United States Navy and later nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” was launched on this day in Boston, Massachusetts.
It played a key role in the War of 1812.
1943 – Allied Forces Capture Palermo: During World War II, Allied troops under General George S. Patton captured the city of Palermo in Sicily on July 22 as part of Operation Husky.
This victory was a significant step in the campaign to liberate Italy.
1991 – Gulf War Aftermath Report Released: On this day, a United Nations report detailed the environmental damage caused by the Gulf War, particularly the oil spills and fires in Kuwait.
The report highlighted the long-term consequences of military conflict on ecosystems.
Today in Tech and Science History
1939 – First Commercial FM Radio Station: W2XMN, the first commercial FM radio station, began broadcasting on this day in Alpine, New Jersey, under the direction of Edwin Howard Armstrong.
This marked a major advancement in audio broadcasting quality.
1976 – Viking 1 Sends Mars Photos: NASA’s Viking 1 lander, which had touched down on Mars two days earlier, transmitted its first color photographs of the Martian surface on July 22.
These images provided groundbreaking insights into the Red Planet.
2019 – India Launches Chandrayaan-2: On this day, India successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, a lunar exploration mission aimed at landing a rover on the Moon’s south pole.
Though the landing attempt later failed, the mission was a significant step for India’s space program.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1890 – Rose Kennedy Born: Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, matriarch of the Kennedy family and mother to President John F. Kennedy, was born on this day in Boston, Massachusetts.
Her life became a symbol of resilience amid personal and political tragedy.
1926 – First Issue of “Amazing Stories”: The science fiction magazine “Amazing Stories,” edited by Hugo Gernsback, saw one of its early issues released around this date in 1926, shaping the genre for future generations.
It became a platform for imaginative storytelling.
2003 – “Pirates of the Caribbean” Premieres: The film “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” starring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, premiered on this day, launching a massively successful franchise that redefined pirate-themed entertainment.
2016 – “Star Trek Beyond” Released: The film “Star Trek Beyond,” the third installment in the rebooted “Star Trek” series, hit theaters on July 22, continuing the legacy of the iconic sci-fi franchise with thrilling intergalactic adventures.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1937 – Senate Votes Down Sitting While Speaking: On this day, the U.S. Senate voted against a proposal that would have allowed senators to sit while speaking during sessions.
The decision upheld the tradition of standing, adding a quirky footnote to legislative history.
1981 – First Recorded Use of “LOL”: Though not widely verified, some sources suggest that the acronym “LOL” (laughing out loud) was first used in online communication on this day in early internet chat forums.
It’s a fun reminder of how digital slang evolved.
2007 – Man Marries Dog in India: In a bizarre cultural ritual, a man in India married a dog on July 22 to ward off a curse, as reported by local news.
Such odd traditions highlight the diversity of human beliefs and practices.
Today in History for Kids
1587 – Mystery of Roanoke Island: A long time ago, English people tried to build a home on an island called Roanoke in America.
They arrived on this day, but later, everyone disappeared!
No one knows what happened to them, and it’s still a big mystery.
1933 – Flying Around the World: A brave pilot named Wiley Post flew all the way around the world by himself, finishing on July 22.
It took him just over a week, and he showed everyone that airplanes could do amazing things.
1976 – Pictures from Mars: A robot spaceship called Viking 1 sent back colorful pictures of Mars on this day.
Kids, imagine seeing red rocks and dusty land from a planet far away in space for the first time!
1992 – Selena Gomez’s Birthday: A super famous singer and actress, Selena Gomez, was born on this day.
She started on TV shows for kids and now sings songs that millions of people love.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? – Longest Papal Reign Began: On July 22, 314, Pope Sylvester I is believed to have begun his reign, though exact dates are uncertain.
His papacy, lasting over 20 years, was one of the longest in early church history.
Did You Know? – First Public Reading of Declaration of Independence: While the Declaration of Independence was signed earlier in July 1776, some historians note that public readings continued in various towns on dates like July 22, spreading revolutionary fervor across the colonies.
Did You Know? – A Royal Wedding: On July 22, 1986, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, married Sarah Ferguson in a widely watched ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Their union captivated global audiences with its fairytale charm.
Did You Know? – Oldest Known Petroglyphs: Though not tied to a specific event on this date, July 22 has been associated with archaeological announcements, such as discussions of ancient petroglyphs in Nevada, dated to over 10,000 years old, showcasing early human creativity.
Did You Know? – A Sweet Record: On July 22, 1981, a group in Pennsylvania reportedly set an unofficial record for the largest ice cream sundae, weighing over 24,000 pounds.
It’s a deliciously cool fact for a summer day!