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May 22: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

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Facts & Historic Events That Happened on May 22

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May 22nd is Harvey Milk Day and Goth Day.

Welcome to day 143 of 366! There are 223 days remaining in 2024.

There were so many incredible events that all fell on May 22 throughout history, from crime and politics to inventions and more! Check out all the events that make this day so special.

Did you know that on this day in 1906, the Wright Brothers were granted a patent for their “flying machine”? Their first application was rejected and overall the process took 3 years.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about May 22nd in history!

Events

What memorable events happened on May 22 in history? Keep reading to find out!

2021

Italy won the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with Måneskin’s “Zitti e buoni.”

2015

Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson set a Guinness World Record for the Most selfies taken in three minutes.

OTD in 2015: Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson set a Guinness World Record for the Most selfies taken in three minutes.

Dwayne captured 105 selfies on the red carpet at the world premiere of his new film San Andreas.

1995

Two new moons of Saturn were found in photos from the Hubble Space Telescope by Astronomers Amanda S. Bosh and Andrew S. Rivkin.

1980

Namco installed the first Pac-Man arcade machine in Shibuya, Tokyo.

This iconic game was released as Puck man, based on the character’s resemblance to a hockey puck. However, when the game came to North America, Namco rightly feared that people would vandalize machines to turn “Puck Man” into something a little less PG-13, so they changed the name to Pac-Man.

1972

Ceylon adopted a new constitution to become the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

The new republic cut formal ties with the United Kingdom, under which it had been governed for the past 157 years.

1942

Mexico declared war on Nazi-Germany and Japan.

1939

The “Pact of Steel” was signed, an agreement between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany.

OTD in 1939: The "Pact of Steel" was signed

1906

The Wright Brothers were granted a patent for their “flying machine” after applying for it three years earlier.

1903

The White Star Liner SS Ionic was launched at the Queen’s Island in Belfast.

1883

When Cubs’ player Billy Sunday played his first game, he struck out four times.

He played three more games before he got a hit.

1863

The Reno Gang robbed its fourth train.

The gang boarded the train while it was stopped and uncoupled the passenger cars. Then, they broke open the safe, netting about $96,000. The robbers were pursued, but they broke up and fled throughout the Midwest.

1856

Senator Brooks from South Carolina used a cane to hit a Massachusetts Senator, Charles Sumner, after Sumner criticized slave owners.

OTD in 1856: Senator Brooks from South Carolina used a cane to hit a Massachusetts Senator

1849

Abraham Lincoln received a patent for a device that would lift a boat over shoals and obstructions.

OTD in 1849: Abraham Lincoln received a patent for a device that would lift a boat over shoals and obstructions.

He was the only US President to achieve this accomplishment.

1799

Napoleon stated his support of re-establishing Jerusalem for Jews.

The leading French newspaper during the French Revolution, “Le Moniteur Universel,” published Napoleon’s proclamation. He called for all the Jews of Asia and Africa to support him to re-establish the ancient Jerusalem.

1762

The Trevi Fountain, one of Rome’s most famous landmarks, was opened to the public by Pope Clement XIII.

Famous Births

Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, did you know that you share the same birthday as Naomi Campbell? See what other famous people were born on this day.

2001

Emma Chamberlain

American

YouTuber

Emma Chamberlain

Age:

23 years old

Born In:

California, USA

1970

Naomi Campbell

British

Model

Naomi Campbell

Age:

54 years old

Born In:

England, UK

1978

Ginnifer Goodwin

American

Actress

Ginnifer Goodwin

Age:

46 years old

Born In:

Tennessee, USA

1979

Maggie Q

American

Actress

Maggie Q

Age:

45 years old

Born In:

Hawaii, USA

Famous Deaths

Unfortunately, May 22nd has also been a day where we’ve had to say some goodbyes over the years…

1802

1885

Victor Hugo

French

Writer

Victor Hugo

1802

1885

Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo was a French writer born on February 26, 1802. He died on this day in 1885, at age 83 in Paris, France.

Died On:

May 22, 1885 (Age 83)

Died In:

Paris, France

Quotes

Memorable quotes are being said or written every day. Here we have the most notable quotes ever said on May 22nd.

1843

Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.

Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau

American Naturalist

Special Holidays

Are you looking for something to do today? Then why not find time today to celebrate the following special holidays.

May 22: World Goth Day
International

World Goth Day

Much of society just doesn’t really get goths, which can make life a bit difficult for anyone who likes the darker side of things. Goth Day raises awareness of this by celebrating goth culture. You can take part too by going to a goth gig, or just watching something with goths in it!

May 22: Harvey Milk Day
United States

Harvey Milk Day

Today we celebrate the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician in California and a prominent figure in the US Civil Rights Movement. A rival politician assassinated Harvey Milk in 1978, but his legacy lives on – so fly your rainbow flags today in honor of him!

THe Fact Site’s

Fun Fact Of The Day

There is an insurance policy issued against alien abduction. Around 50,000 policies have been sold, mainly to residents of the US and England.

Birthday & Zodiac

For those of you who were born on May 22, your zodiac sign is Gemini.

Air is the element given to Gemini, which is quite fitting since Geminis tend to have a way of breezing through life like the wind.

All those born in May have the Emerald birthstone. The lush green color of the Emerald birthstone is the perfect choice for the month of May, as green is a color that signifies hope, the coming of spring, regeneration, and new growth.

People born on May 22 were likely conceived the previous year on August 29.

Babies conceived on May 22nd, 2024, will likely be born around February 12th, 2025.

Fact Check

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