May 22 is a date marked by a series of significant historical events that have shaped the course of history. From ancient battles to modern-day geopolitical shifts, this day highlights moments of triumph, innovation, and tragedy.
Spanning centuries, these events reflect the diverse and impactful nature of human endeavors and their lasting legacies.
This article delves into 20 notable occurrences on May 22, providing a chronological journey through time to explore how each event has contributed to the tapestry of our shared history.
May 22nd – On this Day in History
334 BC – The Macedonian army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus
The Battle of the Granicus was Alexander the Great’s first major victory against the Persian Empire. It took place near the Granicus River (modern-day Biga River in Turkey).
Alexander’s forces, though outnumbered, managed to defeat the Persian satraps’ army, thanks to their superior tactics and the boldness of Alexander himself, who led a cavalry charge across the river.
This victory opened Asia Minor to the Macedonian army and marked the beginning of Alexander’s campaign to conquer the Persian Empire.
1377 – Pope Gregory XI issues five papal bulls to denounce the doctrines of English theologian John Wycliffe
John Wycliffe, an English theologian and early critic of the Catholic Church, advocated for reform and emphasized the importance of Scripture over church doctrine.
In response to his growing influence, Pope Gregory XI issued five papal bulls (formal proclamations) condemning Wycliffe’s teachings.
Also Read: May 21 Events in History
These bulls were sent to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the University of Oxford, where Wycliffe was a scholar. This was part of the Church’s effort to curb the spread of what it considered heretical ideas that challenged its authority.
1455 – The opening battle in the Wars of the Roses, the First Battle of St Albans, is fought in England
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic conflicts between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne. The First Battle of St Albans, fought on May 22, 1455, marked the beginning of these wars.
The Yorkist forces, led by Richard, Duke of York, clashed with the Lancastrian forces loyal to King Henry VI. The Yorkists emerged victorious, capturing Henry VI and killing several prominent Lancastrian leaders. This battle set the stage for further conflicts over the next three decades as both factions vied for power.
1570 – The first modern atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, is published by cartographer Abraham Ortelius in Antwerp
Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theater of the World) is considered the first modern atlas, compiled by the Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius. Published in Antwerp, the atlas contained 70 maps and represented a significant advancement in cartography.
Also Read: May 23rd – On this Day in History
Ortelius’s work was notable for its systematic approach to mapping the known world and for including comprehensive geographical information. The publication of the atlas marked a milestone in the history of cartography and helped standardize geographical knowledge in the Renaissance period.
1762 – Sweden and Prussia sign the Treaty of Hamburg
The Treaty of Hamburg was signed on May 22, 1762, between Sweden and Prussia, effectively ending hostilities between the two nations during the Seven Years’ War. The treaty restored the status quo ante bellum (the state of affairs before the war) and reaffirmed territorial boundaries.
This treaty was part of the broader negotiations that eventually led to the conclusion of the Seven Years’ War, a global conflict that involved most of the great powers of the time. The end of the war had significant implications for the balance of power in Europe and colonial territories around the world.
1807 – A grand jury indicts former Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr on a charge of treason
Aaron Burr, the former Vice President under Thomas Jefferson, was indicted for treason due to his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to create an independent nation in the center of North America, including parts of the Louisiana Territory and Mexico.
Burr’s plans, known as the Burr Conspiracy, were highly controversial and led to his arrest in 1806. He was accused of organizing a private army and conspiring with General James Wilkinson.
Despite being indicted, Burr was eventually acquitted in 1807 due to lack of concrete evidence that he committed overt acts of treason as defined by the Constitution.
1816 – A mob in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, England, riots over high unemployment and rising grain costs; the Littleport riots spread to Ely the next day
The Littleport Riots were part of a series of social disturbances in post-Napoleonic War England. High unemployment and inflated grain prices caused widespread hardship among the working class. On May 22, 1816, a mob in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, frustrated with their dire economic conditions, rioted and caused significant damage.
The unrest quickly spread to the nearby town of Ely. The riots were eventually suppressed by the military, and several rioters were arrested and sentenced to death or transportation. The Littleport Riots highlighted the severe economic distress and social tensions of the period.
1840 – The transportation of British convicts to the New South Wales colony is officially abolished
On May 22, 1840, the British government officially ended the transportation of convicts to New South Wales, Australia. This decision was influenced by changing attitudes towards penal reform and the growing opposition to the convict system.
Transportation had been a common punishment for various crimes, with convicts sent to Australia to serve their sentences. The abolition of convict transportation marked a significant shift in British penal policy and impacted the development of Australian society.
However, transportation continued to other Australian colonies until it was completely abolished in 1868.
1849 – Future U.S. President Abraham Lincoln is issued a patent for an invention to lift boats over obstacles in a river
On May 22, 1849, Abraham Lincoln, who would later become the 16th President of the United States, was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,469 for a device designed to lift boats over shoals and other obstructions in a river.
Lincoln’s invention involved a system of bellows attached to the hull of a boat that could be inflated to lift the vessel, allowing it to pass over obstacles.
Although the device was never manufactured or used, Lincoln remains the only U.S. president to hold a patent. This invention reflects Lincoln’s ingenuity and interest in solving practical problems.
1856 – Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina beats Senator Charles Sumner with a cane in the hall of the U.S. Senate for a speech Sumner had made attacking Southern sympathizers for the pro-slavery violence in Kansas
On May 22, 1856, in one of the most infamous incidents in the U.S. Capitol’s history, Congressman Preston Brooks brutally attacked Senator Charles Sumner with a cane.
Sumner, an abolitionist from Massachusetts, had delivered a fiery speech titled “The Crime Against Kansas,” denouncing pro-slavery forces and personally attacking several Southern senators, including Andrew Butler, a relative of Brooks.
In response, Brooks confronted Sumner in the Senate chamber and beat him with a cane until Sumner was left unconscious and severely injured. The attack highlighted the deepening sectional divide over slavery and fueled tensions that eventually led to the American Civil War.
1906 – The Wright brothers are granted U.S. patent number 821,393 for their “Flying-Machine”
On May 22, 1906, the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright, were granted a patent for their invention of a “Flying-Machine,” U.S. patent number 821,393. This patent covered the control system of their aircraft, which was crucial for stable and controlled flight. The system involved a three-axis control, which allowed the pilot to steer the aircraft effectively.
The Wright brothers’ innovation laid the foundation for modern aviation and was a significant milestone in the development of powered flight. Their successful flights in 1903 and subsequent improvements in their designs cemented their place in history as pioneers of aviation.
1939 – World War II: Germany and Italy sign the Pact of Steel
The Pact of Steel, officially known as the “Pact of Friendship and Alliance between Germany and Italy,” was signed on May 22, 1939. This military and political alliance between Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, and Fascist Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, solidified the partnership between the two Axis powers.
The pact pledged mutual support in the event of war and was a clear indication of the growing threat posed by the Axis powers to the rest of Europe. The signing of the Pact of Steel further aligned Germany and Italy’s aggressive expansionist policies, which played a significant role in the events leading up to World War II.
1942 – Mexico enters World War II on the side of the Allies
On May 22, 1942, Mexico declared war on the Axis powers, formally entering World War II on the side of the Allies. This decision followed the sinking of two Mexican oil tankers, Potrero del Llano and Faja de Oro, by German U-boats. The attacks galvanized public opinion in Mexico against the Axis powers and led to the country’s involvement in the war.
Mexico’s participation included providing raw materials and labor, as well as sending a fighter squadron, the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force’s Escuadrón 201, to the Pacific Theater. Mexico’s entry into the war marked a significant contribution to the Allied efforts and strengthened its ties with the United States.
1947 – The Cold War begins: In an effort to fight the spread of Communism, U.S. President Harry S. Truman signs the Truman Doctrine
On May 22, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the Truman Doctrine, marking a pivotal moment in the onset of the Cold War. The doctrine articulated a policy of containment, aimed at preventing the spread of Communism.
It was initially focused on providing economic and military aid to Greece and Turkey, both of which were threatened by Communist insurgencies and external pressure. The Truman Doctrine represented a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, committing the United States to support free peoples resisting subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures.
This policy laid the groundwork for America’s Cold War strategy and led to further initiatives such as the Marshall Plan and NATO.
1960 – An earthquake measuring 9.5 in magnitude strikes Valdivia, Chile, making it the most powerful earthquake ever recorded
On May 22, 1960, the Great Chilean Earthquake, also known as the Valdivia Earthquake, struck southern Chile with a magnitude of 9.5, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded. The epicenter was near Lumaco, approximately 570 km south of Santiago, with the city of Valdivia experiencing the most intense damage.
The earthquake caused widespread devastation, triggering tsunamis that affected coastlines as far away as Japan, Hawaii, and the Philippines. The disaster resulted in approximately 1,000 to 6,000 deaths and left over two million people homeless.
It also caused significant geological changes, including landslides and the formation of new lakes. The event highlighted the need for improved earthquake preparedness and response measures worldwide.
1964 – U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson announces the Great Society at the University of Michigan
On May 22, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered a commencement address at the University of Michigan, where he outlined his vision for the “Great Society.” This ambitious set of domestic programs aimed to eliminate poverty and racial injustice in the United States, as well as to improve education, healthcare, and the environment.
Johnson’s vision led to significant legislative achievements, including the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, Medicare, Medicaid, and various education and urban development initiatives. The Great Society represented a significant expansion of the federal government’s role in addressing social issues and laid the groundwork for future social welfare policies.
1967 – The L’Innovation department store in Brussels, Belgium, burns down, resulting in 323 dead and missing and 150 injured
On May 22, 1967, a devastating fire broke out at the L’Innovation department store in Brussels, Belgium. The blaze quickly spread through the building, resulting in the deaths of 323 people, with many more missing and 150 injured. The disaster was one of the deadliest department store fires in history.
The fire’s rapid spread was exacerbated by the store’s highly flammable materials and the building’s lack of adequate fire safety measures. The tragedy prompted significant changes in fire safety regulations and building codes in Belgium and beyond, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of safety standards to prevent such catastrophes in the future.
1990 – North and South Yemen are unified to create the Republic of Yemen
On May 22, 1990, North Yemen (the Yemen Arab Republic) and South Yemen (the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen) officially united to form the Republic of Yemen. This unification ended years of political and ideological division between the two regions. The merger was initially met with optimism and was seen as a step towards stability and development.
However, significant challenges arose, including political power struggles, economic difficulties, and cultural differences. These issues eventually led to a brief civil war in 1994, but the unification persisted, and Yemen continued to face ongoing internal and external challenges.
2010 – A South Korean Navy report concludes that the ROKS Cheonan was sunk by a North Korean torpedo
On May 22, 2010, a South Korean Navy report concluded that the ROKS Cheonan, a South Korean Navy corvette, was sunk by a North Korean torpedo on March 26, 2010. The incident occurred near the disputed maritime border in the Yellow Sea, resulting in the deaths of 46 sailors.
The investigation, conducted by an international team of experts, provided evidence that a North Korean submarine had fired a torpedo that caused the sinking. North Korea denied involvement, but the incident significantly escalated tensions between the two Koreas and drew widespread international condemnation. It also led to increased military readiness and changes in South Korea’s defense policies.