What Happened on October 22?

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events

births

deaths

holidays

EVENTS ON OCTOBER 22

Explore the most important historical events that happened on October 22, featuring key moments that shaped the world.

Metropolitan Opera House (39th Street)

Year: 1883

The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City opens with a performance of Charles Gounod's Faust.

Thomas Edison

Year: 1879

Using a filament of carbonized thread, Thomas Edison tests the first practical electric incandescent light bulb; the bulb lasted 131⁄2 hours before burning out.

Veneto

Year: 1866

A plebiscite ratifies the annexation of Veneto and Mantua to Italy, which had occurred three days before on October 19.

International Meridian Conference

Year: 1884

The International Meridian Conference designates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich as the world's prime meridian.

Montparnasse derailment

Year: 1895

In Paris, an express train derails after overrunning the buffer stop, crossing almost 30 metres (100 ft) of concourse before crashing through a wall and falling 10 metres (33 ft) to the road below.

World War II

Year: 1941

World War II: French resistance member Guy Môquet and 29 other hostages are executed by the Germans in retaliation for the death of a German officer.

Hawley Harvey Crippen

Year: 1910

Hawley Harvey Crippen (the first felon to be arrested with the help of radio) is convicted of poisoning his wife.

Knickerbocker Trust Company

Year: 1907

A run on the stock of the Knickerbocker Trust Company sets events in motion that will spark the Panic of 1907.

BIRTHS ON OCTOBER 22

Discover famous people and historical figures born on October 22, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.

Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein

Year of birth: 1858

Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein (died 1921)

Tony Roberts (actor)

Year of birth: 1939

Tony Roberts, American actor and singer (died 2025)

Derek Jacobi

Year of birth: 1938

Derek Jacobi, English actor

Christopher Lloyd

Year of birth: 1938

Christopher Lloyd, American actor, comedian and producer

César Luis Menotti

Year of birth: 1938

César Luis Menotti, Argentine footballer and manager (died 2024)

George Cohen

Year of birth: 1939

George Cohen, English footballer (died 2022)

Joaquim Chissano

Year of birth: 1939

Joaquim Chissano, Mozambican politician, 2nd President of Mozambique

Bobby Fuller

Year of birth: 1942

Bobby Fuller, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (died 1966)

DEATHS ON OCTOBER 22

Look back at notable individuals who passed away on October 22, and learn about their lasting influences on history.

Jibanananda Das

Year of death: 1954

Jibanananda Das, Bangladeshi-Indian author and poet (born 1899)

Hannah Mitchell

Year of death: 1956

Hannah Mitchell, English activist (born 1872)

Joseph Cahill

Year of death: 1959

Joseph Cahill, Australian politician, 29th Premier of New South Wales (born 1891)

James K. Baxter

Year of death: 1972

James K. Baxter, New Zealand poet, writer, theologian, and social commentator. (born 1926)

Ernst Rüdin

Year of death: 1952

Ernst Rüdin, Swiss psychiatrist, geneticist, and eugenicist (born 1874)

Guy Môquet

Year of death: 1941

Guy Môquet, French militant (born 1924)

Pretty Boy Floyd

Year of death: 1934

Pretty Boy Floyd, American gangster (born 1904)

Ettore Marchiafava

Year of death: 1935

Ettore Marchiafava, Italian physician (born 1847)

HOLIDAYS ON OCTOBER 22

See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on October 22 around the world.

October 22 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Christian feast day: October 22 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

International Stuttering Awareness Day

Jidai Matsuri

Jidai Matsuri (Kyoto, Japan)

Pope John Paul II

Christian feast day: Pope John Paul II

Nunilo and Alodia

Christian feast day: Nunilo and Alodia

Cordula of Cologne

Christian feast day: Cordula of Cologne

Donatus of Fiesole

Christian feast day: Donatus of Fiesole

Mellonius

Christian feast day: Mellonius

October