January 22 in history — What Happened Today in History
Welcome to January 22 in history! Here you can discover what happened on January 22, including the major events, the famous people born on January 22 and the notable deaths on January 22, with the newest story starting in 2024.
On this page, January 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 January 22 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on January 22 in History 40
- 2024
Ram Mandir is inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh after 500 years of dispute.
- 2009
U.S. President Barack Obama signs an executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp; congressional opposition will prevent it being implemented.
- 2007
At least 88 people are killed when two car bombs explode in the Bab Al-Sharqi market in central Baghdad, Iraq.
- 2006
Evo Morales is inaugurated as President of Bolivia, becoming the country's first indigenous president.
- 1999
Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons are burned alive by radical Hindus while sleeping in their car in Eastern India.
- 1998
Space Shuttle program: space shuttle Endeavour launches on STS-89 to dock with the Russian space station Mir.
- 1995
Israeli–Palestinian conflict: Beit Lid suicide bombing: In central Israel, near Netanya, two Gazans blow themselves up at a military transit point, killing 19 Israeli soldiers.
- 1992
Space Shuttle program: The space shuttle Discovery launches on STS-42 carrying Dr. Roberta Bondar, who becomes the first Canadian woman and the first neurologist in space.
- 1987
Philippine security forces open fire on a crowd of 10,000–15,000 demonstrators at Malacañang Palace, Manila, killing 13.
- 1973
The Supreme Court of the United States delivers its decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, legalizing elective abortion in all fifty states. This decision is subsequently overturned in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization in 2022.
- 1973
The crew of Apollo 17 addresses a joint session of Congress after the completion of the final Apollo Moon landing mission.
- 1973
A chartered Boeing 707 explodes in flames upon landing at Kano Airport, Nigeria, killing 176.
All entries for January 22（+28）
- 1973
In a bout for the world heavyweight boxing championship in Kingston, Jamaica, challenger George Foreman knocks down champion Joe Frazier six times in the first two rounds before the fight is stopped by referee Arthur Mercante Sr..
- 1971
The Singapore Declaration, one of the two most important documents to the uncodified constitution of the Commonwealth of Nations, is issued.
- 1970
The Boeing 747, the world's first "jumbo jet", enters commercial service for launch customer Pan American Airways with its maiden voyage from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to London Heathrow Airport.
- 1968
Apollo Program: Apollo 5 lifts off carrying the first Lunar module into space.
- 1968
Operation Igloo White, a US electronic surveillance system to stop communist infiltration into South Vietnam begins installation.
- 1967
Between dozens and hundreds of anti-Somocista demonstrators are killed by the Nicaraguan National Guard in Managua.
- 1963
The Élysée Treaty of cooperation between France and West Germany is signed by Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer.
- 1957
Israel withdraws from the Sinai Peninsula.
- 1947
KTLA, the first commercial television station west of the Mississippi River, begins operation in Hollywood.
- 1946
In Iran, Qazi Muhammad declares the independent people's Republic of Mahabad at Chahar Cheragh Square in the Kurdish city of Mahabad; he becomes the new president and Haji Baba Sheikh becomes the prime minister.
- 1946
Creation of the Central Intelligence Group, forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency.
- 1944
World War II: The Allies commence Operation Shingle, an assault on Anzio and Nettuno, Italy.
- 1943
World War II: Australian and American forces defeat Japanese army and navy units in the bitterly fought Battle of Buna–Gona.
- 1941
World War II: British and Commonwealth troops capture Tobruk from Italian forces during Operation Compass.
- 1927
Teddy Wakelam gives the first live radio commentary of a football match, between Arsenal F.C. and Sheffield United at Highbury.
- 1924
Ramsay MacDonald becomes the first Labour Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
- 1919
Act Zluky is signed, unifying the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian National Republic.
- 1917
American entry into World War I: President Woodrow Wilson of the still-neutral United States calls for "peace without victory" in Europe.
- 1915
Over 600 people are killed in Guadalajara, Mexico, when a train plunges off the tracks into a deep canyon.
- 1906
SS Valencia runs aground on rocks on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, killing more than 130.
- 1905
Bloody Sunday occurs in Saint Petersburg, beginning the 1905 revolution.
- 1901
Edward VII is proclaimed King of the United Kingdom after the death of his mother, Queen Victoria.
- 1890
The United Mine Workers of America is founded in Columbus, Ohio.
- 1879
Anglo-Zulu War: the Battle of Isandlwana results in a Zulu victory.
- 1879
Anglo-Zulu War: the Battle of Rorke's Drift, just some 15 km (9.3 mi) away from Isandlwana, results in a British victory.
- 1863
The January Uprising breaks out in Poland, Lithuania and Belarus. The aim of the national movement is to regain Polish–Lithuanian–Ruthenian Commonwealth from occupation by Russia.
- 1849
Second Anglo-Sikh War: The Siege of Multan ends after nine months when the last Sikh defenders of Multan, Punjab, surrender.
- 1808
The Portuguese royal family arrives in Brazil after fleeing the French army's invasion of Portugal two months earlier.
Famous Birthdays on January 22 in History 25
- 2025
Athena Mapelli Mozzi, daughter of Princess Beatrice, born 11th in line of succession to the British throne
- 2007
Pau Cubarsí, Spanish footballer
- 2002
Caitlin Clark, American basketball player
- 2000
Laia Codina, Spanish footballer
- 1999
Andrew Thomas, American football player
- 1998
Walid Cheddira, Moroccan footballer
- 1997
Fan Zhendong, Chinese table tennis player
- 1996
Dillon Brooks, Canadian basketball player
- 1996
Sami Gayle, American actress
- 1996
Joshua Ho-Sang, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1996
Kumi Sasaki, Japanese singer and model
- 1994
Tyrone Taylor, American baseball player
All entries for January 22（+13）
- 1992
Vincent Aboubakar, Cameroonian footballer
- 1991
Stefan Kolb, German footballer
- 1990
Alizé Cornet, French tennis player
- 1990
Mike Hauschild, American baseball player
- 1990
Logic, American rapper
- 1989
Oscar Möller, Swedish ice hockey player
- 1989
Theo Robinson, English footballer
- 1988
Greg Oden, American basketball player
- 1988
Marcel Schmelzer, German footballer
- 1987
Astrid Jacobsen, Norwegian skier
- 1987
Shane Long, Irish footballer
- 1987
Angel Olsen, American singer-songwriter
- 1987
Ray Rice, American football player
Notable Deaths on January 22 in History 25
- 2026
Hifumi Katō, Japanese professional shogi player (born 1940)
- 2023
Lin Brehmer, American disc jockey (born 1954)
- 2022
Thích Nhất Hạnh, Vietnamese Thiền Buddhist monk, peace activist, and founder of the Plum Village Tradition (born 1926)
- 2021
Hank Aaron, American baseball player (born 1934)
- 2018
Ursula K. Le Guin, American sci-fi and fantasy novelist (born 1929)
- 2018
William B. Jordan, American art historian (born 1940)
- 2017
Masaya Nakamura, Japanese businessman (born 1925)
- 2017
Yordano Ventura, Dominican baseball player (born 1991)
- 2016
Homayoun Behzadi, Iranian footballer and coach (born 1942)
- 2016
Cecil Parkinson, English politician (born 1931)
- 2016
Lois Ramsey, Australian actress (born 1922)
- 2016
Kamer Genç, Turkish politician (born 1940)
All entries for January 22（+13）
- 2015
Fabrizio de Miranda, Italian engineer and academic, co-designed the Rande Bridge (born 1926)
- 2015
Wendell H. Ford, American lieutenant and politician, 53rd Governor of Kentucky (born 1924)
- 2015
Margaret Bloy Graham, Canadian author and illustrator (born 1920)
- 2014
Maziar Partow, Iranian cinematographer (born 1933)
- 2013
Robert Bonnaud, French historian and academic (born 1929)
- 2013
Hinton Mitchem, American businessman and politician (born 1938)
- 2012
Simon Marsden, English photographer and author (born 1948)
- 2012
Joe Paterno, American football player and coach (born 1926)
- 2012
Clarence Tillenius, Canadian painter and environmentalist (born 1913)
- 2012
Dick Tufeld, American actor (born 1926)
- 2010
Louis R. Harlan, American historian and author (born 1922)
- 2010
Jean Simmons, English-American actress (born 1929)
- 2009
Billy Werber, American baseball player (born 1908)
That is the story of January 22 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on January 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 January 22 in history?
The biggest event on January 22 in history is: 2024 — Ram Mandir is inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh after 500 years of dispute.. In total, 40 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on January 22?
25 famous people were born on January 22 in history, the best known being 2025 — Athena Mapelli Mozzi, daughter of Princess Beatrice, born 11th in line of succession to the British throne.
Who died on January 22?
25 notable people died on January 22 in history, including 2026 — Hifumi Katō, Japanese professional shogi player (born 1940).
Why should I read about January 22 in history?
Exploring January 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.
Browse the January calendar
Take a random trip through time
What happened on your birthday?
Enter your date of birth and travel back to the day you were born.