Europa

A short list of significant events that occurred on April 22, with a focus on Europe and global impact:

  • 1500: Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral lands in Brazil, marking the beginning of European colonization of South America.
  • 1519: Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés establishes a settlement at Veracruz, Mexico.
  • 1529: Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Saragossa, dividing the eastern hemisphere between them for exploration and trade.
  • 1809: The Austrian army is defeated by Napoleon’s French forces at the Battle of Eckmühl, near Regensburg, Germany.
  • 1870: Vladimir Lenin, leader of the Russian Revolution and founder of the Soviet Union, is born in Simbirsk, Russia.
  • 1915: The German army uses chlorine gas for the first time in warfare during World War I at the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium.
  • 1970: The first Earth Day is celebrated, with 20 million Americans participating in environmental demonstrations; this event soon spreads globally, including throughout Europe.
  • 2016: The Paris Agreement on climate change is signed by 195 nations, including all EU member states, marking a major international effort to combat global warming.

America

A concise list of significant events that occurred in the United States on April 22:

  • 1864: The U.S. Congress passes the Coinage Act, mandating the inscription “In God We Trust” on all U.S. coins.
  • 1876: The first National League baseball game is played at the Jefferson Street Grounds in Philadelphia.
  • 1889: The Oklahoma Land Rush begins at noon, with thousands rushing to claim land; cities like Oklahoma City and Guthrie are founded within hours.
  • 1930: The United States, United Kingdom, and Japan sign the London Naval Treaty, regulating submarine warfare and limiting naval shipbuilding.
  • 1954: The Army–McCarthy hearings begin, marking a pivotal moment in the Red Scare and the hunt for alleged communists within the U.S. government.
  • 1970: The first Earth Day is celebrated, with an estimated 20 million Americans participating in environmental demonstrations, launching the modern environmental movement.

Asia

  • 1911: Tsinghua University, one of China’s leading universities, is founded in Beijing.
  • 1926: Persia (now Iran), Turkey, and Afghanistan sign a security treaty, reflecting regional diplomatic cooperation.
  • 1931: Egypt and Iraq sign a peace agreement.
  • 1945: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is established, with significant Asian participation.
  • 1951: Korean War – The Chinese People’s Volunteer Army begins a major assault at the Battle of Kapyong, engaging UN forces including Australians and Canadians.
  • 1970: Earth Day is celebrated for the first time, with participation from countries across Asia.
  • 1977: Optical fiber is used for telephone transmissions for the first time, impacting global and Asian communications infrastructure.
  • 2005: The second Asian-African Conference opens in Bandung, Indonesia, marking 50 years since the original Bandung Conference that shaped post-colonial cooperation.
  • 2011: Dozens are feared dead in a landslide in the southern Philippines.
  • 2016: The Paris Agreement on climate change is signed by numerous Asian nations, committing to global environmental goals.

Africa

  • 1993: Eritrea begins a three-day referendum on independence from Ethiopia, a pivotal step that led to its official independence later that year.
  • 1995: In Rwanda, Rwandan troops kill thousands of Hutu refugees in the Kibeho massacre, a tragic event during the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide.
  • 2009: South Africa holds national and provincial elections with a high voter turnout; Jacob Zuma is later inaugurated as president, marking a significant moment in the country’s post-apartheid democracy.
  • 1978: Paul Malakwen Kosgei, Kenyan runner and coach, is born.
  • Earth Day: April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day across Africa, with events and campaigns supporting environmental protection and awareness.