This article explores significant historical events that occurred on June 22nd, showcasing a diverse range of pivotal moments from battles and discoveries to landmark legislation and cultural milestones.
Each event has left an indelible mark on history, reflecting the depth and complexity of human progress.
From ancient confrontations to transformative changes in modern society, these events offer insights into the forces that have shaped and continue to influence our world.
June 22nd – On this Day in History
217 BC – Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom
The Battle of Raphia, also known as the Battle of Gaza, was a significant confrontation between the forces of Ptolemy IV of Egypt and Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. This battle is one of the rare events in ancient warfare where the details are well-documented, primarily due to the historical accounts of Polybius.
Also Read: June 21 Events in History
Ptolemy IV managed to muster one of the largest Hellenistic armies ever assembled, which included a considerable number of native Egyptian soldiers. The engagement was crucial for controlling the strategically important region of Coele-Syria.
The victory at Raphia not only secured Ptolemy’s rule over his own kingdom but also temporarily halted the expansionist ambitions of the Seleucid Empire in the region.
813 – Byzantine emperor Michael I is forced to abdicate in favor of the general Leo V the Armenian
Byzantine Emperor Michael I Rangabe was forced to abdicate on June 22, 813, after a short and largely unsuccessful reign marked by military defeats. His decision to abdicate was precipitated by the disastrous defeat at the hands of the Bulgarians under Krum in the Battle of Versinikia.
Following his defeat, Michael chose to step down in favor of the general Leo V the Armenian, who was more capable of handling the military crisis.
Also Read: June 23rd – On this Day in History
Michael subsequently retired to a monastery, where he spent the rest of his life in religious contemplation. This event highlights the unstable nature of Byzantine politics, where military effectiveness often dictated the legitimacy of an emperor’s rule.
1593 – Battle of Sisak: Allied Christian troops defeat the Ottomans, marking a turning point in the Hundred Years’ Croatian-Ottoman War
The Battle of Sisak is considered a pivotal moment in the long-standing conflict between the Habsburgs and the Ottoman Empire, often referred to as the Long War or the Fifteen Years’ War. It occurred near the confluence of the Sava and Kupa rivers in modern-day Croatia.
The battle ended in a decisive victory for the Christian forces, which were a coalition of Croatian, Austrian, and Slovenian troops. The victory at Sisak was significant because it marked the end of Ottoman dominance in the region and began a period of Habsburg ascendency in Central Europe. This battle is often celebrated in Croatian history as a symbol of national resistance against Ottoman rule.
1611 – Mutiny on Henry Hudson’s ship Discovery in Hudson Bay; Hudson and others are set adrift and never seen again
On June 22, 1611, the English explorer Henry Hudson, known for his attempts to find a northern passage to Asia, faced a mutiny on his ship, the Discovery. The mutiny was led by disgruntled crew members unhappy with Hudson’s leadership and the harsh conditions during their exploration of what is now Hudson Bay.
The mutineers set Hudson, his teenage son, and several loyal crew members adrift in a small, open boat. They were never seen again, and their fate remains one of the great mysteries of maritime history. The mutiny underscored the perilous nature of early exploratory voyages to the New World, where harsh environments and leadership challenges often led to dire outcomes.
1633 – The Holy Office in Rome forces Galileo Galilei to recant his view that the Sun, not the Earth, is the center of the Universe
Galileo Galilei, the renowned Italian astronomer and scientist, was forced to recant his support for the heliocentric theory, which posits that the Earth orbits the Sun, on June 22, 1633.
This event was the culmination of his trial by the Roman Inquisition, which had taken issue with his support for Copernican theory, contrary to the Church’s teaching that the Earth was the center of the universe. Under significant pressure and threat of torture, Galileo recanted his views and was subsequently placed under house arrest for the remainder of his life.
This incident is often cited as a classic example of the conflict between science and religion during the Renaissance and remains a significant moment in the history of scientific thought.
1675 – Royal Greenwich Observatory is established in England by Charles II
On June 22, 1675, King Charles II of England issued a Royal Warrant to establish the Royal Greenwich Observatory (RGO) in London. This directive was primarily motivated by the need to improve naval navigation and to accurately determine longitude at sea—a critical issue that affected the safety and efficacy of British naval operations.
The observatory was constructed on the site proposed by Sir Christopher Wren, who selected Greenwich Hill for its clear view of the River Thames and its strategic location.
The first appointed Astronomer Royal was John Flamsteed, under whose supervision the observatory began its mission to “apply oneself to the rectification of the tables of the motions of the heavens, and the places of the fixed stars, so as to find out the so much desired longitude of places for the perfecting of the art of navigation.”
1772 – Slavery is ruled to be illegal in England, leading to the emancipation of slaves in Britain
On June 22, 1772, a landmark legal decision was made in the case of Somerset v Stewart. Lord Mansfield, the Lord Chief Justice of England, ruled that slavery was unsupported by the common law in England and Wales. This judgment effectively meant that any enslaved person who set foot on English soil could legally demand their freedom.
James Somerset, an enslaved African who had been brought to England by his master Charles Stewart, initiated the case after escaping and subsequently being recaptured. Somerset’s case became a significant catalyst in the British abolitionist movement, influencing the future direction of slavery legislation and the eventual abolition of the slave trade within the British Empire in 1807.
1807 – British forces invade Buenos Aires during the first British invasions of the Río de la Plata
During the Napoleonic Wars, the British launched military expeditions to secure a foothold in the Spanish colonies of South America, particularly targeting the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. On June 22, 1807, British forces under the command of Lieutenant-General John Whitelocke invaded Buenos Aires, the capital of the Viceroyalty.
However, the invasion was poorly executed, and local resistance was fiercer than anticipated. The British were ultimately defeated by the Creole militia and other local forces led by Santiago de Liniers. This failure not only embarrassed the British military but also bolstered local support for independence movements across Spanish South America.
1813 – War of 1812: The U.S. frigate Chesapeake is captured by the British frigate HMS Shannon
The War of 1812 between the United States and Britain witnessed numerous naval engagements, one of the most famous being the capture of the USS Chesapeake by the British frigate HMS Shannon on June 22, 1813.
The Chesapeake, under the command of Captain James Lawrence, engaged the Shannon off the coast of Boston, Massachusetts. The battle was swift and brutal, lasting only about 15 minutes before the Chesapeake was boarded and captured.
Captain Lawrence was mortally wounded but famously ordered, “Don’t give up the ship!” His words would later become a rallying cry for the U.S. Navy. The incident highlighted the challenges the young American navy faced against the veteran British naval forces.
1825 – British Parliament abolishes feudalism and the seigneurial system in British North America
On June 22, 1825, the British Parliament passed the Tenures Abolition Act, which abolished feudal duties and the seigneurial system in British North America, particularly affecting the Canadian provinces. This act was part of wider reforms aimed at modernizing the governance and land tenure systems in the colonies.
The abolition of feudalism facilitated the transition to a more democratic and equitable system of land ownership, paving the way for economic development and settlement expansion in Canada. This reform was crucial in helping shape the modern Canadian economic landscape and aiding in the development of a unified Canadian identity.
1870 – The U.S. Congress creates the Department of Justice
On June 22, 1870, the U.S. Congress established the Department of Justice (DOJ) to strengthen the federal judiciary and better manage the legal affairs of the government.
Before its creation, the Attorney General was merely a single practitioner responsible for representing the United States in court and giving advice to the President and heads of departments.
However, the complexities of post-Civil War America necessitated a more structured and efficient system to handle the increasing volume of legal work. The DOJ was tasked with enforcing federal laws, representing the United States in legal matters, and ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice.
This establishment marked a significant development in the American legal system, centralizing and professionalizing the federal government’s legal tasks.
1911 – George V and Mary of Teck are crowned King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
George V and his wife Mary of Teck were crowned King and Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor and Empress of India, on June 22, 1911, at Westminster Abbey. This coronation was noted for its splendor and was a major event in the social and political calendar of Britain and the wider empire.
The ceremony followed the death of Edward VII, George’s father, and symbolized the continuity of monarchy and the stability of the empire during a period of significant social change and geopolitical tension.
George V’s reign, which included the period of World War I and the early years of the post-war era, would later be marked by his commitment to his role as a constitutional monarch and his efforts to adapt the institution of monarchy to the modern age.
1940 – France is forced to sign the Second Compiègne Armistice with Germany
The Second Compiègne Armistice, signed on June 22, 1940, was a major event in World War II, marking France’s formal surrender to Nazi Germany. The armistice was signed in the same railway carriage in Compiègne Forest where the Germans had surrendered to the Allies in 1918, symbolizing a reversal of fortunes and a moment of deep national humiliation for France.
The terms of the armistice divided France into an occupied zone and a so-called “free” zone, which was governed by the Vichy regime under Marshal Philippe Pétain. This agreement effectively ended the Battle of France, leading to four years of German occupation, which had profound and lasting impacts on French society and its role in the world.
1941 – World War II: Operation Barbarossa begins with Germany invading the Soviet Union
Operation Barbarossa, launched on June 22, 1941, was the code name for the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II, which marked a pivotal and expansive phase of the conflict. Spearheaded by Nazi Germany, it was the largest military invasion in history in terms of manpower and casualties.
The operation opened up the Eastern Front, which would become the site of some of the war’s most brutal fighting. Initially, the invasion was tremendously successful, with Soviet forces overwhelmed by the surprise and scale of the attack.
However, the failure to achieve a quick victory before the onset of the harsh Russian winter became a critical turning point in the war, leading to significant German losses and contributing to the eventual downfall of the Nazi regime.
1944 – U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill
The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill, was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 22, 1944. It was designed to provide various benefits for returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as G.I.s).
The Bill offered grants for school and college tuition, low-cost mortgage loans, and unemployment insurance, among other benefits. This landmark legislation significantly impacted the American social fabric, contributing to the post-war economic boom, the expansion of the middle class, and the democratization of higher education.
The G.I. Bill was instrumental in shaping modern American society by enabling millions of U.S. veterans to access educational opportunities and improve their socio-economic status.
1978 – Charon, a satellite of Pluto, is discovered by American astronomer James W. Christy
On June 22, 1978, American astronomer James W. Christy made a groundbreaking discovery of Charon, the largest moon of the dwarf planet Pluto, while analyzing photographic plates at the United States Naval Observatory.
The discovery was significant because it helped astronomers better understand the mass and size of Pluto, which had been a subject of speculation since its discovery in 1930. Charon is unusually large compared to its parent body, being about half the size of Pluto itself.
This characteristic makes the Pluto-Charon system more like a double planet than a typical planet-moon system. The discovery of Charon was a crucial milestone in planetary science, shedding light on the complexities of celestial bodies in the outer solar system.
1986 – The famous “Hand of God” goal, scored by Diego Maradona in the FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and England
On June 22, 1986, during the FIFA World Cup quarter-final match between Argentina and England, Diego Maradona scored one of the most controversial goals in the history of soccer.
Known as the “Hand of God” goal, Maradona used his left hand to punch the ball into the net, an action that went unnoticed by the match officials but was clearly visible in television replays.
This goal contributed to Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England. Later in the same match, Maradona scored what is often called the “Goal of the Century,” a spectacular 60-yard run past five England players. Maradona’s performance in this match is remembered as one of the most iconic in the history of the World Cup.
1990 – Checkpoint Charlie is dismantled in Berlin
Checkpoint Charlie was one of the most famous symbols of the Cold War, located at the crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the division of Germany.
On June 22, 1990, as part of the reunification of Germany, Checkpoint Charlie was dismantled in a ceremony attended by foreign ministers of the four Allied powers that had occupied Berlin since the end of World War II.
The removal of this checkpoint was a highly symbolic act, reflecting the end of decades of division between East and West Berlin, and by extension, between the Soviet and Western blocs. Today, Checkpoint Charlie remains a powerful symbol and a popular tourist site, commemorating the struggles and eventual peaceful resolution of the Cold War.
2002 – An earthquake measuring 6.5 in magnitude hits northwestern Iran, killing at least 261 people
An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck northwestern Iran on June 22, 2002. The epicenter was near the city of Qazvin, about 90 miles northwest of Tehran. The quake resulted in at least 261 fatalities and injured over 1,500 people, causing significant damage to thousands of homes and buildings.
This event underscored the vulnerability of the region to seismic activity, as Iran is situated on major fault lines and frequently experiences earthquakes. The disaster prompted increased governmental and international focus on improving building codes and disaster preparedness in the earthquake-prone regions of the country.
2009 – Eastman Kodak Company announces that it will discontinue sales of Kodachrome Color Film, ending its 74-year run as an iconic film in photography
Eastman Kodak Company announced on June 22, 2009, that it would discontinue the production of Kodachrome Color Film, ending its 74-year run as one of the most iconic photography films ever made. Kodachrome was renowned for its rich colors and durability, making it a favorite among professional photographers and amateurs alike.
The decision to discontinue Kodachrome was driven by the decline in demand in an increasingly digital age, where digital photography had largely supplanted traditional film due to its convenience and lower cost. The end of Kodachrome marked the end of an era in photography, symbolizing the significant shifts in technology and consumer preferences in the industry.