June 22 in history — What Happened Today in History
June 22 in history is full of turning points. This page walks you through what happened on June 22 in history, who was born on June 22 and who passed away on June 22, so nothing about this day slips past you.
On this page, June 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 June 22 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on June 22 in History 40
- 2025
The United States conducts airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
- 2022
An earthquake occurs in eastern Afghanistan resulting in over 1,000 deaths.
- 2015
The Afghan National Assembly building is attacked by gunmen after a suicide bombing. All six of the gunmen are killed and 18 people are injured.
- 2012
Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo is removed from office by impeachment and succeeded by Federico Franco.
- 2012
A Turkish Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter plane is shot down by the Syrian Armed Forces, killing both of the plane's pilots and worsening already-strained relations between Turkey and Syria.
- 2009
A Washington D.C Metro train traveling southbound near Fort Totten station collides into another train waiting to enter the station. Nine people are killed in the collision (eight passengers and the train operator) and at least 80 others are injured.
- 2007
The small town of Elie, Manitoba is hit by Canada's most intense tornado on record.
- 2002
An earthquake measuring 6.5 Mw strikes a region of northwestern Iran killing at least 261 people and injuring 1,300 others and eventually causing widespread public anger due to the slow official response.
- 2000
Wuhan Airlines Flight 343 is struck by lightning and crashes into Wuhan's Hanyang District, killing 49 people.
- 1990
Cold War: Checkpoint Charlie is dismantled in Berlin.
- 1986
The famous Hand of God goal, scored by Diego Maradona in the quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and England, ignites controversy. This was later followed by the Goal of the Century. Argentina wins 2–1 and later goes on to win the World Cup.
- 1984
Virgin Atlantic launches with its first flight from London to Newark.
All entries for June 22（+28）
- 1979
Former Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe was acquitted of conspiracy to murder Norman Scott, who had accused Thorpe of having a relationship with him.
- 1978
Charon, the first of Pluto's satellites to be discovered, was first seen at the United States Naval Observatory by James W. Christy.
- 1969
The Cuyahoga River catches fire in Cleveland, Ohio, drawing national attention to water pollution, and spurring the passing of the Clean Water Act and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
- 1966
Vietnamese Buddhist activist leader Thích Trí Quang was arrested as the military junta of Nguyen Cao Ky crushed the Buddhist Uprising.
- 1965
The Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea is signed.
- 1962
Air France Flight 117 crashes on approach to Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport in Guadeloupe, killing 112 people.
- 1948
The ship HMT Empire Windrush brought the first group of 802 West Indian immigrants to Tilbury, marking the start of modern immigration to the United Kingdom.
- 1948
King George VI formally gives up the title "Emperor of India", half a year after Britain actually gave up its rule of India.
- 1945
World War II: The Battle of Okinawa comes to an end with an American flag-raising ceremony.
- 1944
World War II: Opening day of the Soviet Union's Operation Bagration against the Army Group Centre.
- 1944
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs into law the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill.
- 1942
World War II: Erwin Rommel is promoted to Field Marshal after the Axis capture of Tobruk.
- 1942
The Pledge of Allegiance is formally adopted by U.S. Congress.
- 1941
World War II: Nazi Germany invades the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa.
- 1940
World War II: France is forced to sign the Second Compiègne armistice with Germany, in the same railroad car in which the Germans signed the Armistice in 1918.
- 1922
British Army Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson is killed by the Irish Republican Army helping to spark the Irish Civil War.
- 1918
The Hammond Circus Train Wreck kills 86 and injures 127 near Hammond, Indiana.
- 1911
George V and Mary of Teck are crowned King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
- 1911
Mexican Revolution: Government forces bring an end to the Magonista rebellion of 1911 in the Second Battle of Tijuana.
- 1907
The London Underground's Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway opens.
- 1898
Spanish–American War: In a chaotic operation, 6,000 men of the U.S. Fifth Army Corps begins landing at Daiquirí, Cuba, about 16 miles (26 km) east of Santiago de Cuba. Lt. Gen. Arsenio Linares y Pombo of the Spanish Army outnumbers them two-to-one, but does not oppose the landings.
- 1897
British colonial officers Charles Walter Rand and Lt. Charles Egerton Ayerst are assassinated in Pune, Maharashtra, India by the Chapekar brothers and Mahadeo Vinayak Ranade, who are later caught and hanged.
- 1893
The Royal Navy battleship HMS Camperdown accidentally rams the British Mediterranean Fleet flagship HMS Victoria which sinks taking 358 crew with her, including the fleet's commander, Vice-Admiral Sir George Tryon.
- 1870
The United States Department of Justice is created by the U.S. Congress.
- 1839
Cherokee leaders Major Ridge, John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot are assassinated for signing the Treaty of New Echota, which had resulted in the Trail of Tears.
- 1813
War of 1812: After learning of American plans for a surprise attack on Beaver Dams in Ontario, Laura Secord sets out on a thirty kilometres (19 mi) journey on foot to warn Lieutenant James FitzGibbon.
- 1812
France declares war on Russia, starting Napoleon's invasion.
- 1807
In the Chesapeake–Leopard affair, the British warship HMS Leopard attacks and boards the American frigate USS Chesapeake.
Famous Birthdays on June 22 in History 25
- 2006
Zépiqueno Redmond, Dutch footballer
- 2001
Luciano Gondou, Argentine footballer
- 1999
Sam Retford, Australian-English actor
- 1996
Mikel Merino, Spanish footballer
- 1996
Rodri, Spanish footballer
- 1994
Sébastien Haller, French-Ivorian footballer
- 1994
Marnus Labuschagne, South African-Australian cricketer
- 1994
Carlos Vinícius Santos de Jesus, Brazilian footballer
- 1993
Loris Karius, German footballer
- 1993
Danny Ward, Welsh footballer
- 1992
Ura Kazuki, Japanese sumo wrestler
- 1992
Harry Reid, British actor
All entries for June 22（+13）
- 1991
Hugo Mallo, Spanish footballer
- 1990
Sebastian Jung, German footballer
- 1989
Cédric Mongongu, Congolese footballer
- 1989
Jung Yong-hwa, South Korean singer-songwriter and actor
- 1988
Omri Casspi, Israeli basketball player
- 1987
Danny Green, American basketball player
- 1987
Lee Min-ho, South Korean actor, singer, model, creative director and businessman
- 1987
Nikita Rukavytsya, Ukrainian-Australian footballer
- 1985
Thomas Leuluai, New Zealand rugby league player
- 1984
Dustin Johnson, American golfer
- 1984
Rubén Iván Martínez, Spanish footballer
- 1984
Jerome Taylor, Jamaican cricketer
- 1984
Janko Tipsarević, Serbian tennis player
Notable Deaths on June 22 in History 25
- 2025
Arnaldo Pomodoro, Italian sculptor (born 1926)
- 2023
Harry Markowitz, American Nobel economist (born 1927)
- 2022
Bruton Smith, American racetrack promoter (born 1927)
- 2022
Yves Coppens, French anthropologist (born 1934)
- 2018
Vinnie Paul, American musician (born 1964)
- 2017
Mao Kobayashi, Japanese newscaster and actress (born 1982)
- 2017
Quett Masire, Botswanan politician (born 1926)
- 2015
James Horner, American composer and conductor (born 1953)
- 2014
Fouad Ajami, Lebanese-American author and academic (born 1945)
- 2014
Rama Narayanan, Indian director and producer (born 1949)
- 2013
Henning Larsen, Danish architect, designed the Copenhagen Opera House (born 1925)
- 2013
Allan Simonsen, Danish race car driver (born 1978)
All entries for June 22（+13）
- 2012
Juan Luis Galiardo, Spanish actor and producer (born 1922)
- 2011
Coşkun Özarı, Turkish footballer and coach (born 1931)
- 2008
Natalia Bekhtereva, Russian neuroscientist and psychologist (born 1924)
- 2008
George Carlin, American comedian, actor, and author (born 1937)
- 2008
Dody Goodman, American actress and dancer (born 1914)
- 2007
Erik Parlevliet, Dutch field hockey player (born 1964)
- 2004
Bob Bemer, American computer scientist and engineer (born 1920)
- 2004
Mattie Stepanek, American poet and author (born 1990)
- 2003
Vasil Bykaŭ, Belarusian war novelist (born 1924)
- 1997
Ted Gärdestad, Swedish singer-songwriter (born 1956)
- 1997
Gérard Pelletier, Canadian journalist and politician (born 1919)
- 1995
Leonid Derbenyov, Russian poet and songwriter (born 1931)
- 1995
Al Hansen, American sculptor and author (born 1927)
That is the story of June 22 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on June 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 June 22 in history?
The biggest event on June 22 in history is: 2025 — The United States conducts airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.. In total, 40 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on June 22?
25 famous people were born on June 22 in history, the best known being 2006 — Zépiqueno Redmond, Dutch footballer.
Who died on June 22?
25 notable people died on June 22 in history, including 2025 — Arnaldo Pomodoro, Italian sculptor (born 1926).
Why should I read about June 22 in history?
Exploring June 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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