This day in history: 22 may

1629: The Treaty of Lübeck was signed between Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II and Danish King Christian IV, ending Danish intervention in the Thirty Years’ War-a major conflict that shaped the political and religious landscape of Europe.
1905: The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Abdul Hamid II, established the Ullah millet for the Aromanians, an ethnic group in the Balkans. This act is sometimes commemorated as Aromanian National Day.
1939: Germany and Italy signed the Pact of Steel, formalizing their military and political alliance on the eve of World War II, which would have profound consequences for Europe.

1775: A provisional Revolutionary government was formed in New York, an important step in the American colonies’ move toward independence.
1849: Abraham Lincoln was granted a patent for a device to lift boats over shoals and obstructions, making him the only U.S. president to hold a patent.
1906: The Wright brothers were granted a U.S. patent for their “Flying-Machine,” a milestone in aviation history.
1915: Lassen Peak erupted in California, one of only two volcanic eruptions in the contiguous U.S. during the 20th century.
1972: President Richard Nixon became the first American president to visit Moscow, marking a significant moment in Cold War diplomacy.
1973: President Nixon confessed his role in the Watergate cover-up, a pivotal moment in the Watergate scandal.
2011: A devastating EF5 tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, killing 158 people and causing $2.8 billion in damages, making it the costliest and one of the deadliest single tornadoes in U.S. history.

1545: Death of Sher Shah Suri, founder of the Suri Empire in India. Sher Shah was a major reformer, introducing the Rupiya currency and significant administrative changes that influenced later Mughal and British governance.
1772: Birth of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a key figure in the Indian Renaissance. He campaigned for women’s rights and the abolition of the Sati practice, leaving a lasting impact on Indian society.
1963: India’s first indigenous glider, the Rohini, took its maiden flight, marking a milestone in Indian aviation.
1987: The Hashimpura massacre occurred in Meerut, India, where 42 Muslim men were killed by the Provincial Armed Constabulary.
1992: India successfully launched its Agni Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, joining an elite group of nations with advanced missile technology.
2010: Air India Express Flight 812 crashed at Mangalore, resulting in 158 deaths-the deadliest aviation accident in India’s history.
2012: Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest tower at 643 meters, opened to the public in Japan, becoming a symbol of modern engineering in Asia.

Africa Month Celebrations: May is widely recognized across Africa as Africa Month, commemorating the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in May 1963-a milestone for continental unity and the pursuit of freedom from oppression. While Africa Day is officially celebrated on May 25, many events and educational activities, such as lectures and book launches, take place throughout the month, including on May 22.
Recent Commemorations: On May 22, 2024, the University of the Free State in South Africa hosted events focusing on African higher education and world citizenship, as part of the broader Africa Month celebrations.
No Major Pan-African Historical Event: There are no widely recognized continent-wide historical events in Africa specifically tied to May 22, but the date often falls within the period of Africa Month observances, which emphasize African unity, heritage, and progress.