September 22 has been an eventful date in world history, associated with revolutions, wars, scientific discoveries, political milestones, cultural achievements, independence movements, and the lives of many influential people. It is also the date of the autumnal equinox in some years, depending on the astronomical calendar.

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🌍 Major Historical Events on September 22

904 – Emperor Zhaozong of China is killed

The Tang dynasty emperor Zhaozong was killed by the warlord Zhu Quanzhong, who had effectively seized control of the imperial government. (Wikipedia)

1499 – Treaty of Basel concludes the Swabian War

The Treaty of Basel brought the Swabian War between the Swiss Confederacy and the Swabian League to an end. It strengthened the practical independence of the Swiss Confederacy from the Holy Roman Empire. (Wikipedia)

1692 – Final executions of the Salem witch trials

Eight people accused of witchcraft were hanged in Massachusetts. They were the last people executed in the Salem witch trials. (National Day Calendar)

1776 – Nathan Hale is executed

American patriot and Continental Army officer Nathan Hale was executed by British forces in New York after being captured while gathering intelligence during the American Revolutionary War. (HISTORY)

1789 – U.S. Postmaster General’s office established

The United States established the office of Postmaster General, with Benjamin Franklin among the earliest holders of the position. (National Day Calendar)

1792 – French First Republic begins

The French Republican Calendar dates the beginning of Year I of the French Republic to September 22, 1792, following the abolition of the monarchy. (Wikipedia)

1823 – Joseph Smith reports finding the golden plates

Joseph Smith stated that he had been directed by the angel Moroni to the location of the golden plates that he associated with the origin of the Book of Mormon. (Wikipedia)

1857 – Russian warship Lefort sinks

The Russian warship Lefort capsized during a storm in the Gulf of Finland. All 826 people aboard were lost. (Wikipedia)

1862 – Lincoln issues the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation

One of the most consequential events associated with September 22 occurred in 1862, when U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

Lincoln announced that enslaved people in areas still in rebellion against the Union would be declared free on January 1, 1863. The final proclamation took effect on that date. (HISTORY)

1869 – Wagner’s Das Rheingold premieres

Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold, the first of the four music dramas comprising Der Ring des Nibelungen, received its first performance in Munich. (Time and Date)

1896 – Queen Victoria becomes Britain’s longest-reigning monarch

On this date, Queen Victoria surpassed her grandfather George III as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. She held that distinction until it was surpassed by Elizabeth II in 2015. (Wikipedia)

1927 – Gene Tunney defeats Jack Dempsey

American boxer Gene Tunney defeated former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey in their famous rematch, remembered as the “Long Count” fight. (World History Project)

1934 – Gresford Colliery disaster

An explosion at Gresford Colliery in Wales killed 266 miners and rescuers, becoming one of Britain’s worst mining disasters. (El Día Que Nací)

1939 – German-Soviet military parade at Brest-Litovsk

German and Soviet forces held a joint military parade at Brest-Litovsk following the invasion and partition of Poland during the opening phase of World War II. (Calendarz)

1948 – Berlin Airlift “candy bomber”

U.S. pilot Gail Halvorsen began dropping small packages of candy to children during the Berlin Airlift, helping create the tradition that made him famous as the “Candy Bomber.” (Wikipedia)

1955 – Commercial television begins in Britain

Britain’s first commercial television network, ITV, began broadcasting, ending the BBC’s television monopoly. (History Guesser)

1960 – Mali becomes independent

Following Senegal’s withdrawal from the Mali Federation, the Sudanese Republic adopted the name Mali. Mali celebrates September 22 as its Independence Day. (Time and Date)

1965 – India-Pakistan war ceasefire

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 came to an end with a United Nations-sponsored ceasefire. The conflict had centered largely on the Kashmir dispute. (Calendarz)

1965 – First episode of The Dean Martin Show

The popular American television variety program premiered on NBC.

1975 – Attempt on President Gerald Ford’s life

Sara Jane Moore attempted to shoot U.S. President Gerald Ford outside a hotel in San Francisco. The attempt failed, in part because bystander Oliver Sipple intervened. (HISTORY)

1979 – Mysterious Vela incident

A U.S. Vela satellite detected a distinctive double flash near the Indian Ocean. The event has been widely discussed as a possible nuclear explosion, but its cause remains disputed and has never been conclusively established. (Time and Date)

1980 – Iran-Iraq War begins

On September 22, Iraq invaded Iran, beginning the Iran-Iraq War. The conflict lasted nearly eight years and became one of the major wars of the late 20th century. (HISTORY)

1985 – First Farm Aid concert

The first Farm Aid benefit concert was held in Champaign, Illinois, raising money and awareness for American family farmers. (HISTORY)

1991 – Dead Sea Scrolls made more widely accessible

Images and information concerning the Dead Sea Scrolls became available to a much wider public, ending restrictions that had limited scholarly access to the material. (Wikipedia)

1993 – Deadliest accident in Amtrak history

The Sunset Limited train derailed near Mobile, Alabama, after a bridge was struck by a towboat. 47 people died, making it the deadliest accident in Amtrak history. (HISTORY)

1994 – Friends premieres

The television sitcom Friends premiered on NBC. It subsequently became one of the most internationally recognized sitcoms of its era. (HISTORY)

2013 – Peshawar church bombing

A twin suicide bombing struck All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing more than 100 people and injuring hundreds. (Histories Today)

2014 – U.S. and Arab allies begin airstrikes against ISIS in Syria

The United States and several Arab partners began airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria as part of an international campaign against the organization. (AP News)

2024 – Anura Kumara Dissanayake elected Sri Lankan president

Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected president of Sri Lanka in the country’s 2024 presidential election. (Histories Today)

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🎂 Famous People Born on September 22

Anne of Cleves (1515–1557)

German noblewoman who became the fourth wife of King Henry VIII of England.

Michael Faraday (1791–1867)

English scientist whose pioneering work in electromagnetism and electrochemistry helped lay foundations for modern electrical technology. (Time and Date)

George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788–1824)

One of Britain’s great Romantic poets, known for works including Don Juan and Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. (Almanac)

Paul Muni (1895–1967)

Acclaimed Austrian-American actor known for films such as The Story of Louis Pasteur and The Life of Emile Zola.

George Balanchine (1904–1983)

Georgian-American choreographer and a major figure in the development of modern ballet in the United States. (Almanac)

Ruhollah Khomeini (1902–1989)

Iranian religious and political leader who became the central figure of the 1979 Iranian Revolution and Iran’s first Supreme Leader. (Time and Date)

Tommy Lasorda (1927–2021)

American baseball player, manager and longtime manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Nick Cave (1957– )

Australian singer, songwriter, author and performer associated with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. (HISTORY)

Joan Jett (1958– )

American rock singer, guitarist and songwriter best known for “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” (HISTORY)

Andrea Bocelli (1958– )

Italian tenor and recording artist whose career spans classical and popular music. (Time and Date)

Bonnie Hunt (1961– )

American actress, comedian, writer and television host.

Tom Felton (1987– )

English actor best known for playing Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series. (KidsKonnect)

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🕯️ Notable Deaths on September 22

Shaka Zulu (c. 1787–1828)

Founder and major military leader of the Zulu Kingdom, Shaka was assassinated by his half-brothers in 1828. (HISTORY)

Nathan Hale (1755–1776)

American Revolutionary War soldier and spy, executed by the British at the age of 21. (HISTORY)

Marion Davies (1897–1961)

American actress and entertainer who appeared in numerous films during Hollywood’s silent and early sound eras. (Time and Date)

Irving Berlin (1888–1989)

One of America’s most prolific songwriters, remembered for classics including “White Christmas.” (Time and Date)

George C. Scott (1927–1999)

Acclaimed American actor and director, best known for films including Patton, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Marcel Marceau (1923–2007)

Legendary French mime artist, internationally recognized for his character Bip and for popularizing modern mime. (Time and Date)

Eddie Fisher (1928–2010)

American singer and entertainer who was one of the major popular singers of the 1950s.

Yogi Berra (1925–2015)

American baseball catcher, manager and coach, widely regarded as one of the most recognizable figures in baseball history. (Time and Date)

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🇧🇬🇲🇱 National Days on September 22

Bulgaria – Independence Day 🇧🇬
Bulgaria commemorates its declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908.

Mali – Independence Day 🇲🇱
Mali celebrates independence and the establishment of the Republic of Mali in 1960. (Wikipedia)

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🍂 September 22 and the Equinox

September 22 is also frequently associated with the September equinox, although the exact date can vary from September 22 to September 23 depending on the year and time zone.

Around the equinox, day and night are approximately equal in length. It marks the beginning of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

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⭐ September 22 – Quick Historical Highlights

Year	Event
1499	Treaty of Basel ends the Swabian War
1692	Final executions of the Salem witch trials
1776	Nathan Hale executed
1789	U.S. Postmaster General’s office established
1792	French First Republic begins
1862	Lincoln issues preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
1869	Wagner’s Das Rheingold premieres
1896	Queen Victoria becomes Britain’s longest-reigning monarch
1927	Gene Tunney defeats Jack Dempsey
1934	Gresford Colliery disaster
1948	Berlin Airlift “Candy Bomber” begins candy drops
1955	ITV begins commercial television in Britain
1960	Mali takes its present name and celebrates independence
1965	India-Pakistan War ceasefire
1975	Attempt on President Gerald Ford’s life
1980	Iran-Iraq War begins
1985	First Farm Aid concert
1993	Amtrak’s Sunset Limited disaster
1994	Friends premieres
2013	Peshawar church bombing
2014	U.S.-led airstrikes against ISIS begin in Syria
2024	Anura Kumara Dissanayake elected Sri Lankan president