Europa
- 1884 – International Meridian Conference: The Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, was designated as the world’s prime meridian, establishing the standard for global longitude and timekeeping.
- 1895 – Montparnasse Train Derailment (France): An express train in Paris overran the buffer stop, crashed through a station wall, and fell onto the street below, creating one of the most iconic train accident images in history.
- 1923 – Failed Coup in Greece: The Leonardopoulos–Gargalidis coup d’état attempt failed, weakening the Greek monarchy and paving the way for the Second Hellenic Republic.
- 1941 – World War II, France: French resistance member Guy Môquet and 29 other hostages were executed by German forces in retaliation for the death of a German officer, a significant event in the history of the French Resistance.
- 1917 – Western Front: Franco-British forces advanced between Poelcapelle (Ypres) and Houthulst Forest in Belgium, capturing prisoners and territory from the Germans.
- 1918 – Western Front: British troops entered Valenciennes (France), and French and Czech-Slovak forces pushed back German troops on the Serre river. Fierce fighting also occurred north of Verdun involving American forces.
- 1943 – RAF Raid on Kassel (Germany): The British Royal Air Force conducted a devastating air raid on Kassel, resulting in approximately 10,000 deaths and significant destruction in the German city.
- 1942 – Operation Torch Preparations: The first transports for Operation Torch, the Allied landings in North Africa, departed from Britain.
- 1943 – Operation ‘Corona’: The Allies began jamming German night-fighter communications during an RAF raid on Kassel, marking a significant development in electronic warfare.
- 1944 – Eastern Front Advances: The Red Army continued its westward push, capturing towns near the Russian-German border.
America
- Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
President John F. Kennedy delivered a nationally televised address revealing the presence of Soviet-built missile bases under construction in Cuba. He announced a “quarantine” (naval blockade) of Cuba to prevent further missile shipments, marking the most dangerous moment of the Cold War and bringing the U.S. and Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war. - Sam Houston Inaugurated as First President of the Republic of Texas (1836)
Sam Houston was inaugurated as the first elected president of the Republic of Texas, symbolizing the establishment of a new government after Texas declared independence from Mexico. Houston’s leadership helped stabilize the young republic and paved the way for its eventual annexation by the United States. - Thomas Edison Perfects the Practical Light Bulb (1879)
Thomas Edison tested and perfected the first practical electric incandescent light bulb using a carbonized cotton filament, which burned for over 13 hours. This breakthrough revolutionized electric lighting and transformed modern life. - Death of Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd (1934)
Notorious bank robber Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd was shot and killed by FBI agents in East Liverpool, Ohio. His death marked a turning point in the federal government’s fight against organized crime during the Great Depression. - Battle of Red Bank (1777)
During the American Revolutionary War, American defenders at Fort Mercer on the Delaware River successfully repelled repeated attacks by Hessian (German) mercenaries in the Battle of Red Bank, securing a significant victory for the Continental Army. - Northwest Indian War: Defeat of Harmar Campaign (1790)
Native American forces defeated the United States Army, ending the Harmar Campaign and highlighting the ongoing struggle for control of the Northwest Territory. - Metropolitan Opera House Opens (1883): The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City opened with a performance of Gounod’s Faust, marking a milestone in American culture.
- Shah of Iran Admitted to U.S. (1979): The U.S. allowed the deposed Shah of Iran to enter New York for medical treatment, a decision that precipitated the Iran hostage crisis weeks later.
- Beltway Sniper Case Final Victim (2002): The last victim in the Washington, D.C. area sniper attacks was killed, leading to the eventual capture of the perpetrators.
Asia
- 794 – Japan: Capital Relocation to Heiankyo (Kyoto)
Emperor Kanmu officially relocated the Japanese capital from Nagaoka-kyō to Heiankyo, which is present-day Kyoto. This move marked the beginning of the Heian period, a transformative era in Japanese culture and governance. - 1633 – China: Ming Dynasty Defeats Dutch East India Company
The Ming dynasty achieved a significant naval victory over the Dutch East India Company, reinforcing Chinese control over its maritime interests and trade routes. - 1936 – China: End of the Long March
The Long March, a 6,000-mile strategic retreat by the Chinese Red Army led by Mao Zedong, concluded on this date. The end of the Long March marked a turning point in the Chinese Communist movement and is celebrated as a symbol of endurance and revolutionary spirit. - 2008 – India: Launch of Chandrayaan-1 Lunar Mission
India launched its first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, through the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This mission made India the fifth country to reach the Moon, advancing its space exploration capabilities. - 2007 – Sri Lanka: Raid on Anuradhapura Air Force Base
A major attack was carried out by 21 Tamil Tiger commandos on the Anuradhapura Air Force Base. The raid resulted in the destruction of eight Sri Lanka Air Force planes and damage to ten more, with all but one of the attackers killed. - 2023 – South China Sea: U.S. Reaffirms Support for the Philippines
Following a collision between Filipino and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, the United States publicly reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of the Philippines, highlighting ongoing tensions and the geopolitical significance of the region.
Africa
- 2020: #EndSARS Protests and Violence in Nigeria
On October 22, during the #EndSARS movement against police brutality, two police officers were killed in violence in Ibadan, Oyo State, and two people were killed in related violence in Akure, Ondo State. Additionally, kidnappers abducted two pastors and one church member in Aniocha South, Delta State. Police officers killed five looters in Alimosho, Lagos on the same day. These events were part of a larger wave of protests and unrest across Nigeria demanding police reform and justice. - Ongoing Boko Haram Insurgency
Around this date in 2020, Nigerian Air Force operations targeted Boko Haram and ISWA militants in Borno State and clashes occurred on the Chadian side of Lake Chad, resulting in casualties among militants and soldiers. - Pro-Democracy Protests in Sudan (2021)
On October 22, 2021, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators marched in Khartoum and other cities demanding full civilian rule amid tensions in Sudan’s fragile military-civilian transitional government. The protests were part of a broader struggle for democracy following the ousting of long-time president Omar al-Bashir. Security forces responded with force, including shootings and arrests. - Eswatini Pro-Democracy Demonstrations (2021)
On October 22, 2021, amid ongoing pro-democracy protests in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), security forces opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in deaths and injuries. The government imposed bans on protests and restricted internet access, including shutting down Facebook for days. Regional mediators from the Southern African Development Community intervened to address the crisis. - Historical Context
While specific historic events on October 22 in Africa prior to the 20th century are less frequently highlighted, the continent’s history includes significant colonial and independence movements, such as the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910, various independence declarations in the 1950s and 1960s, and struggles against apartheid and colonial rule.
This day in history: 22 october