This article explores significant historical events that occurred on July 22nd across different years.
From medieval battles and groundbreaking treaties to momentous social changes and tragic incidents, this day marks numerous occurrences that have had profound impacts on societies and cultures around the world.
July 22nd – On this Day in History
1099 – Godfrey of Bouillon elected Defender of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
After the successful conclusion of the First Crusade, which saw the capture of Jerusalem from Islamic rule, Godfrey of Bouillon, a prominent French nobleman, was elected as the ruler of Jerusalem.
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However, he refused the title of ‘king’ considering it inappropriate to wear a crown of gold where Christ had worn a crown of thorns.
Instead, he took the title of “Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri” (Defender of the Holy Sepulchre), indicating his role as the secular leader committed to the protection and governance of the Holy City and its Christian sites.
1298 – Battle of Falkirk, King Edward I defeats William Wallace
The Battle of Falkirk marked a significant encounter during the First War of Scottish Independence. William Wallace, who had previously defeated the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, faced a large English army led by King Edward I.
The English army used longbowmen to devastating effect, breaking the Scottish schiltrons (defensive hedgehog formations) before the English cavalry charged. Wallace’s forces were decisively defeated, and this battle marked the beginning of his decline in the leadership of the Scottish resistance.
1489 – Treaty of Frankfurt ratified
The Treaty of Frankfurt was ratified to conclude the Neuss War, a conflict stemming from the dispute over the succession to the Duchy of Gelderland.
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The treaty was pivotal as it marked the resolution of a conflict that had drawn in various powers, including the Duchy of Burgundy and the Holy Roman Empire.
The ratification helped stabilize the region and formalized agreements over territorial disputes and governance that were contentious during the period.
1499 – Battle of Dornach, Swiss forces defeat Maximilian I
The Battle of Dornach was the decisive confrontation that ended the Swabian War, fought between the Swiss Confederation and the forces of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I.
The battle occurred near Dornach, resulting in a significant Swiss victory that effectively ensured the independence of the Swiss Confederation from the Holy Roman Empire. This victory solidified Swiss control over their territory and bolstered their national identity.
1796 – Andrew Ellicott begins survey of the original District of Columbia
Andrew Ellicott, an important American surveyor, began the task of surveying the boundaries of what would become the District of Columbia, the future capital of the United States.
Appointed by President George Washington, Ellicott, along with the help of Benjamin Banneker, a free African-American scientist, adjusted the work initially started by Pierre Charles L’Enfant.
They laid out the borders and the street system that would eventually host the federal government’s central institutions. Ellicott’s work was crucial in translating the planned grand design for the capital into a tangible, mapped out city.
1798 – Battle of Salerno, French defeat the Papal States
During the War of the Second Coalition, the Battle of Salerno represented a significant confrontation between the revolutionary French forces and the Papal States, led by Pope Pius VI.
As part of Napoleon Bonaparte’s campaign to extend French influence across Europe, the French troops managed to decisively defeat the Papal army.
This victory was part of a series of actions that led to the weakening of Papal authority and the eventual temporary dissolution of the Papal States under French control, reflecting the broader impact of the French Revolutionary wars in reshaping European politics.
1812 – Percy Bysshe Shelley elopes with Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin
In a move that scandalized British society, Percy Bysshe Shelley, a prominent figure of the Romantic movement in English literature, eloped with Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, who was only sixteen at the time. Mary was the daughter of the feminist philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft and the political philosopher William Godwin.
Their elopement was not just a personal rebellion; it was also an ideological statement, aligning with their views on love, freedom, and non-conformity. Their partnership was both romantic and intellectual, eventually leading Mary to write “Frankenstein,” one of the most celebrated Gothic novels of the era.
1933 – Wiley Post first solo flight around the world
Wiley Post, an American aviator, made history by becoming the first person to fly solo around the world. He completed this monumental journey in his aircraft, the Winnie Mae, covering 15,596 miles in 7 days, 18 hours, and 49 minutes.
This achievement not only demonstrated advancements in aviation technology but also highlighted the increasing possibility of global air travel. Post’s journey captured the imagination of the public and marked a significant milestone in the history of flight.
1934 – John Dillinger shot dead by FBI agents
John Dillinger, one of the most infamous bank robbers in American history, was shot and killed by FBI agents outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago. Dillinger was notorious for his brazen public persona and his role in numerous bank robberies during the Great Depression.
His death occurred in a dramatic shootout, marking a pivotal moment in the early days of the FBI and its efforts to address rampant crime during that era. Dillinger’s demise was sensationalized in the media, cementing his legacy as a notorious criminal figure in American folklore.
1942 – Holocaust: Deportation from the Warsaw Ghetto begins
On this day in 1942, one of the most harrowing aspects of the Holocaust began with the mass deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka extermination camp.
This event marked a significant escalation in the Nazi regime’s implementation of the Final Solution, the plan to systematically exterminate the Jewish population.
Over the course of the following weeks, an estimated 300,000 Jews were transported from the ghetto to Treblinka, where the vast majority were murdered upon arrival. This tragic event stands as one of the darkest chapters in human history, highlighting the extreme atrocities of the Holocaust.
1943 – Allied forces capture Palermo, Sicily
During World War II, the Allied forces captured Palermo, the capital of Sicily, as part of the larger Allied campaign known as Operation Husky. This strategic victory was crucial in weakening Axis control over the Mediterranean, paving the way for the eventual invasion of mainland Italy.
The capture of Palermo not only disrupted German and Italian defensive lines but also significantly boosted the morale of Allied forces and demonstrated the effectiveness of joint operations between American, British, and Canadian troops.
1946 – King David Hotel bombing in Jerusalem
The King David Hotel in Jerusalem, which housed the British administrative headquarters for Palestine, was bombed by the Irgun, a Zionist paramilitary organization. This attack was one of the most significant acts of Jewish insurgency against British rule in Mandatory Palestine.
The bombing resulted in the deaths of 91 people of various nationalities and was intended to protest against British policies that restricted Jewish immigration to Palestine.
The event marked a dramatic escalation in the conflict in the region and significantly influenced British policies and their eventual withdrawal from Palestine.
1963 – Sarawak achieves independence from British rule
Sarawak, located on the island of Borneo, gained its independence from British colonial rule on this day. This event marked the end of over a century of British administration and the beginning of a new chapter in Sarawak’s history.
Shortly after achieving independence, Sarawak joined the newly formed Federation of Malaysia, a significant political transformation that shaped the region’s future. The independence of Sarawak was a part of the broader decolonization process in Southeast Asia during the mid-20th century.
1977 – Deng Xiaoping restored to power in China
Deng Xiaoping, a prominent Chinese politician and reformist, was restored to power during this pivotal moment in China’s history.
After being purged twice due to political struggles during the Cultural Revolution, his return marked the beginning of a series of economic reforms and opening policies that would transform China into a global economic powerhouse.
Deng’s policies of “Reform and Opening Up” led to significant economic growth and increased foreign investment, fundamentally changing the fabric of Chinese society and its position in the world.
1983 – Martial law revoked in Poland
Martial law, which had been imposed in Poland in December 1981 by the Communist government to crush political opposition and curb the activities of the Solidarity movement, was formally lifted on this day.
The revocation was a significant step towards the eventual restoration of political freedoms and the weakening of Communist control.
The end of martial law paved the way for increased political activism and was a critical moment in the lead-up to the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, culminating in the peaceful transitions of power in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
1991 – Jeffrey Dahmer arrested in Milwaukee
Jeffrey Dahmer, one of America’s most notorious serial killers, was arrested on this day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His arrest came after one of his intended victims escaped and alerted police, leading to the discovery of a gruesome scene at Dahmer’s apartment.
Authorities found photographs of dismembered bodies, skulls, and other horrifying evidence of Dahmer’s crimes.
He later confessed to murdering 17 young men between 1978 and 1991. Dahmer’s case shocked the nation and raised significant questions about law enforcement interactions with Dahmer leading up to his arrest, as well as issues of mental health and the criminal justice system.
1992 – Pablo Escobar escapes from prison in Colombia
Pablo Escobar, the infamous drug lord and leader of the Medellín Cartel, escaped from La Catedral prison in Colombia. This prison, often referred to as a “luxury prison,” was built to Escobar’s specifications as part of a surrender deal with the Colombian government.
His escape occurred after authorities attempted to transfer him to a more conventional prison, following reports of continued criminal activities even while incarcerated. Escobar’s escape led to a nationwide manhunt, culminating in his death in 1993. This event marked a pivotal moment in Colombia’s long struggle with narcoterrorism.
2003 – U.S. forces kill Saddam Hussein’s sons Uday and Qusay in Iraq
Uday and Qusay Hussein, sons of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, were killed in a firefight with U.S. forces in Mosul, Iraq. The operation was part of the broader U.S. effort to stabilize Iraq and capture key members of the former regime following the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The deaths of Uday and Qusay, who were high on the list of most-wanted Iraqi officials, were seen as a significant blow to the remnants of the Ba’ath Party regime and were widely publicized as a success in the U.S. military’s efforts in Iraq.
2005 – Jean Charles de Menezes mistakenly shot by London police
Jean Charles de Menezes, a Brazilian national, was mistakenly shot dead by London’s Metropolitan Police at the Stockwell tube station. Police officers, mistakenly identifying him as a suspect involved in previous failed bombing attempts in London, shot him multiple times.
This tragic incident occurred in the tense aftermath of the July 7, 2005, London bombings and raised serious questions about police procedures and the challenges of counter-terrorism efforts in high-pressure situations. The event led to public outrage, an inquest, and a review of policing tactics in terrorist-related incidents.
2011 – Twin terror attacks in Norway
Norway was struck by two consecutive terror attacks, the deadliest in its post-war history. A bomb exploded in Oslo, targeting government buildings and resulting in eight deaths. Following the bombing, a mass shooting occurred at a youth camp on the island of Utøya, where 69 people, mostly teenagers, were killed.
The attacks were carried out by Anders Behring Breivik, who expressed extremist right-wing ideologies and opposition to Muslim immigration. The attacks shocked Norway and the world, prompting a national examination of extremism, security, and social cohesion.