Europa
- French Republic Proclaimed (1792)
On September 22, 1792, the French Republic was officially proclaimed, marking the abolition of the monarchy and the beginning of the First French Republic. This date also became the first day of the French Republican Calendar, symbolizing a new era in French and European history. - Battle of Šiauliai (1236)
The Lithuanians and Semigallians defeated the Livonian Brothers of the Sword in the Battle of Šiauliai, a significant event in the Baltic Crusades that shaped the power dynamics in the region. - Switzerland’s Independence (1499)
Switzerland became an independent state on this day, following the Treaty of Basel, which ended the Swabian War and marked Swiss independence from the Holy Roman Empire. - Battle of Zutphen (1586)
The Battle of Zutphen, part of the Eighty Years’ War, took place in the Netherlands. The Spanish forces defeated the English and Dutch, and the English poet Sir Philip Sidney was mortally wounded in this battle. - In 1914, during World War I, a German submarine (U-9) sank three British cruisers in the North Sea, killing almost 1,500 sailors, which highlighted the effectiveness of submarine warfare.
- On September 22, 1939, during World War II, a joint German–Soviet military parade was held in Brest-Litovsk to celebrate the successful invasion and division of Poland, symbolizing the cooperation between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union at that stage of the war.
- Solidarity Founded in Poland (1980)
On this day in 1980, the Solidarity trade union was founded in Poland. Led by Lech Wałęsa, it became a powerful force for resistance against Soviet control and played a crucial role in the eventual fall of communism in Eastern Europe.
America
- Salem Witch Trials Executions (1692)
On September 22, 1692, eight people—Martha Corey, Mary Eastey, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, Ann Pudeator, Wilmot Redd, Margaret Scott, and Samuel Wardwell—were hanged in Salem, Massachusetts. These were the last executions of the infamous Salem witch trials, a pivotal episode in colonial American history. - Tuscarora War Begins (1711)
The first attacks of the Tuscarora War occurred in present-day North Carolina, marking the start of a conflict between European settlers and the Tuscarora people. - Nathan Hale Executed (1776)
American patriot Nathan Hale was hanged by the British for espionage during the Revolutionary War. He is remembered for his famous last words: “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country”. - Establishment of the U.S. Postmaster General (1789)
The office of the United States Postmaster General was established by Congress, laying the foundation for the U.S. postal system. - Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation (1862)
President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that enslaved people in rebellious states would be freed as of January 1, 1863. This transformed the Civil War into a fight against slavery and had profound effects on American society and its future. - Deadliest Amtrak Train Wreck (1993)
A barge struck a railroad bridge near Mobile, Alabama, causing the deadliest train wreck in Amtrak history. Forty-seven passengers were killed. - Foiled Assassination Attempt on President Ford (1975)
Sara Jane Moore attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford in San Francisco, but the attempt was foiled by a bystander and a faulty gun. - The steel strike of 1919 began in Pennsylvania, spreading across the United States and marking a significant moment in American labor history.
- In 1906, race riots in Atlanta, Georgia, resulted in 21 deaths, highlighting the racial tensions of the era.
- In 1915, Xavier University, the first African-American Catholic college, opened in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Asia
- Assassination of Emperor Zhaozong (904 CE, China)
On September 22, 904, warlord Zhu Quanzhong killed Emperor Zhaozong, the penultimate emperor of the Tang dynasty, after seizing control of the imperial government. This marked a pivotal moment in Chinese history, accelerating the end of the Tang dynasty and the fragmentation of imperial authority. - Japanese Occupation of French Indochina (1940)
On September 22, 1940, under Japanese pressure, Vichy France ratified a treaty allowing Japanese troops to occupy air bases and harbors in French Indochina. Japanese forces entered Indochina that night, a move that expanded Japan’s influence in Southeast Asia and set the stage for further conflict in the region during World War II. - Ceasefire in the Indo-Pakistani War (1965)
On September 22, 1965, a United Nations-brokered ceasefire took effect, ending major hostilities in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. The ceasefire helped prevent further escalation between the two countries, though underlying tensions persisted. - Opening of the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing
The Eleventh Asian Games opened in Beijing on September 22, 1990. The ceremony became a dramatic show of solidarity for Kuwait, which had recently been invaded by Iraq. The event also included an emotional tribute to Shaikh Fahd Al Ahmad Al Sabah, the murdered president of the Olympic Council of Asia. - Start of the Iran-Iraq War (1980)
On September 22, 1980, Iraq launched a full-scale invasion of Iran, beginning the Iran-Iraq War. This conflict became one of the longest and bloodiest wars of the 20th century, lasting eight years and resulting in massive casualties and economic losses for both nations.
Africa
- Independence of Mali (1960)
On September 22, 1960, Mali officially declared its independence from France, becoming the Republic of Mali after the dissolution of the Mali Federation with Senegal. This day is celebrated annually as Mali’s Independence Day and marks a major milestone in Africa’s decolonization movement. - Assassination of Shaka Zulu (1828)
Shaka, the founder and chief of the Zulu Kingdom, was assassinated by his half-brothers on September 22, 1828. His leadership had transformed the Zulu into a dominant power in southern Africa, and his death marked a turning point in the region’s history. - Opening of Nairobi National Museum (1930)
The Nairobi National Museum, a major institution for the preservation and display of Kenya’s cultural and natural heritage, was officially opened in colonial Kenya on September 22, 1930. - Opening of Zeitz MOCAA (2017)
On September 22, 2017, the Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) opened in Cape Town, South Africa. It is the largest museum of contemporary African art in the world and represents a significant cultural milestone for the continent. - September 22 is also observed as World Rhino Day, raising awareness about the conservation of rhinos, a species native to Africa.
- The Vela Incident: On September 22, 1979, an American satellite detected mysterious flashes over the Indian Ocean, suspected by some to be a nuclear test possibly involving South Africa, though this remains unconfirmed.
This day in history: 22 september