April 22 in history — What Happened Today in History
April 22 in history is full of turning points. This page walks you through what happened on April 22 in history, who was born on April 22 and who passed away on April 22, so nothing about this day slips past you.
On this page, April 22 in history is arranged as a timeline of major events in reverse order, with birthdays and deaths in their own sections, plus a short FAQ about April 22 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on April 22 in History 34
- 2025
At least 26 people are killed in a terrorist attack on a group of tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed responsibility for the attack.
- 2020
Four police officers are killed after being struck by a truck on the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne while speaking to a speeding driver, marking the largest loss of police lives in Victoria Police history.
- 2016
The Paris Agreement is signed, an agreement to help fight global warming.
- 2009
Fox News host Sean Hannity offered to be waterboarded for charity in order to prove that it did not amount to torture, though he did not follow through with it.
- 2005
Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi apologizes for Japan's war record.
- 1993
Eighteen-year-old Stephen Lawrence is murdered in a racially motivated attack while waiting for a bus in Well Hall, Eltham.
- 1992
A series of gas explosions rip through the streets in Guadalajara, Mexico, killing 206.
- 1977
Optical fiber is first used to carry live telephone traffic.
- 1974
Pan Am Flight 812 crashes on approach to Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, killing all 107 people on board.
- 1970
The first Earth Day is celebrated.
- 1970
Chicano residents in San Diego, California occupy a site under the Coronado Bridge, leading to the creation of Chicano Park.
- 1969
British yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston wins the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race and completes the first solo non-stop circumnavigation of the world.
All entries for April 22（+22）
- 1969
The formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) is announced at a mass rally in Calcutta.
- 1966
American Flyers Airline Flight 280/D crashes on approach to Ardmore Municipal Airport in Ardmore, Oklahoma, killing 83.
- 1954
Red Scare: Witnesses begin testifying and live television coverage of the Army–McCarthy hearings begins.
- 1951
Korean War: The Chinese People's Volunteer Army begin assaulting positions defended by the Royal Australian Regiment and the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry at the Battle of Kapyong.
- 1948
Arab–Israeli War: The port city of Haifa is captured by Jewish forces.
- 1945
World War II: Prisoners at the Jasenovac concentration camp revolt. Five hundred twenty are killed and around eighty escape.
- 1945
World War II: Sachsenhausen concentration camp is liberated by soldiers of the Red Army and Polish First Army.
- 1944
World War II: The 1st Air Commando Group using Sikorsky R-4 helicopters stage the first use of helicopters in combat with combat search and rescue operations in the China Burma India Theater.
- 1944
World War II: In Greenland, the Allied Sledge Patrol attack the German Bassgeiger weather station.
- 1944
World War II: Operation Persecution is initiated: Allied forces land in the Hollandia (currently known as Jayapura) area of New Guinea.
- 1930
The United Kingdom, Japan and the United States sign the London Naval Treaty regulating submarine warfare and limiting shipbuilding.
- 1915
World War I: The use of poison gas in World War I escalates when chlorine gas is released as a chemical weapon in the Second Battle of Ypres.
- 1906
The 1906 Intercalated Games open in Athens.
- 1898
Spanish–American War: President William McKinley calls for 125,000 volunteers to join the National Guard and fight in Cuba, while Congress more than doubles regular Army forces to 65,000.
- 1889
At noon, thousands rush to claim land in the Land Rush of 1889. Within hours the cities of Oklahoma City and Guthrie are formed with populations of at least 10,000.
- 1876
The first National League baseball game is played at the Jefferson Street Grounds in Philadelphia.
- 1864
The U.S. Congress passes the Coinage Act of 1864 that permitted the inscription In God We Trust be placed on all coins minted as United States currency.
- 1836
Texas Revolution: A day after the Battle of San Jacinto, forces under Texas General Sam Houston identify Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna among the captives of the battle when some of his fellow soldiers mistakenly give away his identity.
- 1809
The second day of the Battle of Eckmühl: The Austrian army is defeated by the First French Empire army led by Napoleon and driven over the Danube in Regensburg.
- 1529
Treaty of Zaragoza divides the eastern hemisphere between Spain and Portugal along a line 297.5 leagues (1,250 kilometres (780 mi)) east of the Moluccas.
- 1519
Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés establishes a settlement at Veracruz, Mexico.
- 1500
Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral lands in Brazil (discovery of Brazil).
Famous Birthdays on April 22 in History 25
- 2011
Violet McGraw, American actress
- 1997
Grant Fisher, American runner
- 1994
Chandler Stephenson, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1992
Adam Lanza, American mass murderer (died 2012)
- 1991
Danni Wyatt, English cricketer
- 1990
Machine Gun Kelly, American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor
- 1990
Kevin Kiermaier, American baseball player
- 1990
Eve Muirhead, Scottish curler
- 1988
Dee Strange-Gordon, American baseball player
- 1987
David Luiz, Brazilian footballer
- 1986
Amber Heard, American actress
- 1986
Marshawn Lynch, American football player
All entries for April 22（+13）
- 1983
Sam W. Heads, English-American entomologist and palaeontologist
- 1983
Shkëlzen Shala, Albanian entrepreneur and veganism activist
- 1982
Kaká, Brazilian footballer
- 1980
Quincy Timberlake, Kenyan-Australian activist, engineer, and politician
- 1979
Zoltán Gera, Hungarian international footballer and manager
- 1979
Daniel Johns, Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist
- 1978
Paul Malakwen Kosgei, Kenyan runner and coach
- 1976
Dan Cloutier, Canadian ice hockey player and coach
- 1974
Shavo Odadjian, Armenian-American bassist
- 1971
Eric Mabius, American actor
- 1970
Regine Velasquez, Filipino singer and actress
- 1967
David J. C. MacKay, English physicist, engineer, and academic (died 2016)
- 1967
Sherri Shepherd, American actress, comedian, and television personality
Notable Deaths on April 22 in History 25
- 2023
Len Goodman, English ballroom dancer and television personality (born 1944)
- 2022
Guy Lafleur, Canadian ice hockey player (born 1951)
- 2021
Adrian Garrett, American professional baseball player (born 1943)
- 2020
Shirley Knight, American actress (born 1936)
- 2017
Donna Leanne Williams, Australian writer, artist, and activist (born 1963)
- 2015
Dick Balharry, Scottish environmentalist and photographer (born 1937)
- 2014
Oswaldo Vigas, Venezuelan painter (born 1926)
- 2013
Richie Havens, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1941)
- 2013
Lalgudi Jayaraman, Indian violinist and composer (born 1930)
- 2013
Robert Suderburg, American pianist, composer, and conductor (born 1936)
- 2012
George Rathmann, American chemist, biologist, and businessman (born 1927)
- 2010
Richard Barrett, American lawyer and activist (born 1943)
All entries for April 22（+13）
- 2009
Jack Cardiff, British cinematographer, director and photographer (born 1914)
- 2007
Juanita Millender-McDonald, American educator and politician (born 1938)
- 2006
Henriette Avram, American computer scientist and academic (born 1919)
- 2006
Alida Valli, Italian actress (born 1921)
- 2005
Erika Fuchs, German translator (born 1906)
- 2005
Philip Morrison, American physicist and academic (born 1915)
- 2005
Eduardo Paolozzi, Scottish sculptor and artist (born 1924)
- 2003
Felice Bryant, American songwriter (born 1925)
- 1999
Munir Ahmad Khan, Pakistani nuclear engineer (born 1926)
- 1996
Erma Bombeck, American journalist and author (born 1927)
- 1996
Jug McSpaden, American golfer and architect (born 1908)
- 1995
Jane Kenyon, American poet and author (born 1947)
- 1994
Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States (born 1913)
That is the story of April 22 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on April 22 to relive these world-changing moments — or take a random trip through time and see what happened on another day in history.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on April 22 in history?
The biggest event on April 22 in history is: 2025 — At least 26 people are killed in a terrorist attack on a group of tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed responsibility for the attack.. In total, 34 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on April 22?
25 famous people were born on April 22 in history, the best known being 2011 — Violet McGraw, American actress.
Who died on April 22?
25 notable people died on April 22 in history, including 2023 — Len Goodman, English ballroom dancer and television personality (born 1944).
Why should I read about April 22 in history?
Exploring April 22 in history helps you grasp the day's place in history in just a few minutes: events, birthdays and deaths in one read — perfect for students, teachers and curious minds.
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