Europa
- 1963: Élysée Treaty Signed
The Élysée Treaty was signed by France and West Germany, formalizing reconciliation between the two countries after centuries of rivalry and conflict. This treaty marked a major step in postwar European integration and is considered a cornerstone of the Franco-German partnership within the European Union. - 1901: Death of Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom died after a 64-year reign, the longest in British history at the time. Her death marked the end of the Victorian era, a period of significant industrial, cultural, and imperial expansion for Britain and Europe. - 1905: Bloody Sunday in St. Petersburg
In Russia (then part of Europe), Bloody Sunday occurred when peaceful demonstrators marching to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas II were fired upon by troops, sparking the 1905 Russian Revolution. - 871: Battle of Basing
The West Saxons, led by King Æthelred I, were defeated by Danelaw Vikings at Basing in England, an event in the Viking invasions of Britain. - 1510: Jews Expelled from Colmar, Germany
On this day, Jews were expelled from the German town of Colmar, reflecting the broader pattern of Jewish expulsions across medieval Europe. - 1931: French Government of Steeg Falls
The government of French Prime Minister Théodore Steeg fell, illustrating the political instability in interwar France.
America
- 1973: Roe v. Wade Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in Roe v. Wade, declaring a nationwide constitutional right to abortion. This ruling profoundly shaped American law and society, fueling ongoing debates and activism around reproductive rights. - 1973: Death of Lyndon B. Johnson
Former President Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, died at his Texas ranch at age 64. - 1917: Woodrow Wilson’s “Peace Without Victory” Speech
President Woodrow Wilson, addressing Congress, called for a “peace without victory” to end World War I, reflecting America’s initial stance of neutrality before entering the conflict later that year. - 1970: First Commercial Boeing 747 Flight
The Boeing 747 made its first scheduled commercial flight, departing from New York to London, marking a new era in mass air travel. - 1890: United Mine Workers of America Founded
The United Mine Workers of America, a major labor union, was established in Columbus, Ohio. - 1947: KTLA-TV Debuts
KTLA-TV in Los Angeles became the first commercially licensed television station west of the Mississippi River. - 1953: “The Crucible” Opens on Broadway
Arthur Miller’s play “The Crucible,” set during the Salem witch trials, premiered on Broadway. - 1997: Madeleine Albright Confirmed as Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright was confirmed as the first female U.S. Secretary of State. - 1929: New “Dry Bill” Introduced
A bill to strengthen alcohol prohibition penalties was introduced to Congress during the Prohibition era. - 1998: Theodore Kaczynski Pleads Guilty
The “Unabomber” pleaded guilty to charges in California, receiving a life sentence without parole.
Asia
- 2021: Israeli Airstrike in Syria
An Israeli airstrike targeted the city of Hama, Syria, destroying five Syrian military sites. According to Syrian state media (SANA), four members of the same family, including two children, were killed. This strike was part of Israel’s ongoing involvement in the Syrian civil war. - 1885: Battle of Núi Bop (Sino-French War)
French troops under General Oscar de Négrier defeated a numerically superior Qing Chinese force in northern Vietnam. This battle was significant in the context of the Sino-French War, which shaped the colonial and political landscape of East Asia in the late 19th century. - 1943: Japanese Resistance Ends in New Guinea
During World War II in the Pacific, Japanese resistance ended in New Guinea on this day, resulting in the first land victory of the war for Allied forces. This marked a turning point in the Pacific campaign.
Africa
- 1879: Battle of Isandlwana (Anglo-Zulu War)
The Zulu Kingdom achieved a landmark victory over British forces at Isandlwana in present-day South Africa. About 1,300 British soldiers were killed, marking this as one of the worst defeats for the British Army by an indigenous force using mostly traditional weapons. This battle forced Britain to escalate its military campaign in the region and had lasting effects on both Zulu and colonial histories. - 1824: Ashanti Defeat British in the Gold Coast
The Ashanti Empire (in modern Ghana) defeated British forces, significantly checking British ambitions in West Africa for a time. This was a pivotal moment in the Anglo-Ashanti Wars and highlighted African resistance to colonial expansion. - 1998: Katse Dam Water Flows to South Africa
Water began to flow from the Katse Dam in Lesotho to South Africa as part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. The Katse Dam is Africa’s second largest dam project and the deepest dam on the continent. - 1801: Toussaint L’Ouverture Takes Santiago
Toussaint L’Ouverture, the Haitian revolutionary leader, took control of the Spanish colony of Santiago (in present-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic), an event with implications for the wider Atlantic world, including Africa due to the transatlantic slave trade.
This day in history: 22 january