June 22 is the 173rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 192 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about June 22nd, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about June 22nd in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- National Onion Rings Day
- National Chocolate Eclair Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – June 22
1990: Checkpoint Charlie is dismantled
The crossing point on the sector border between East Berlin and West Berlin had become obsolete with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Today, the former checkpoint, including the famous sign stating “You are leaving the American sector”, is a tourist attraction.
1986: Diego Maradona coins the phrase “Hand of God”
The Argentinian football star had scored a goal with his hand during the FIFA World Cup quarter-final against England. The referee allowed the goal, the Argentinian team were later crowned world champions. After the game, Maradona said that the goal was scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”.
1945: Okinawa falls to U.S. troops
The Battle of Okinawa marked a decisive defeat for Japan during World War II as the archipelago represented the last line of defense for mainland Japan. The country surrendered two months after the end of the battle when two atomic bombs were dropped on the mainland.
1941: Germany invades the Soviet Union
The initially successful attack soon proved a disaster for the Germans as wintry conditions and fierce Soviet resistance caused massive losses and ultimately forced them to retreat.
1633: The Catholic Church forces Galileo Galilei to renounce his heliocentric world view
The Holy Office concluded that the Italian scientist, by stating that the Sun, not the Earth, is the center of the Universe, was “vehemently suspect of heresy”. Galileo spent the rest of his life under house arrest.
1980: Photo of Ex-Navy Lt. and 12 term US Congressman Charlie Wilson in Afghanistan with the Mujahideen and ISI during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980’s.
1941: At 4:31 AM, an unauthorized photo taken of Stalin inside of the Kremlin shows the very moment he was informed that Germany had began their invasion of the Soviet Union. It was taken by Komsomolskaya Pravda, editor in chief. He was ordered to destroy it, but instead saved it. June 22, 1941.
1887: Komuso monks, Japan, 1887.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, June 22
1953: Cyndi Lauper, American singer-songwriter, producer, actress
1949: Meryl Streep, American actress
1940: Abbas Kiarostami, Iranian filmmaker, poet
1909: Katherine Dunham, American dancer
1887: Julian Huxley, English biologist
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, June 22
2008: George Carlin, American comedian, actor, author
1993: Pat Nixon, American educator, 39th First Lady of the United States
1987: Fred Astaire, American actor, singer, dancer
1969: Judy Garland, American actress, singer
1874: Howard Staunton, English chess player
