May 22: What Happened on This Day in History
May 22nd marks the 142nd day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 143rd in case of leap years). There are 223 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 22nd in history, famous birthdays on May 22nd, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 22.
What happened on May 22?
Here's what happened on May 22nd in history:
- 2022: On May 22, 2022, no major global events were recorded in primary historical sources. While daily life continued around the world, no singular significant political, cultural, scientific, or social milestone was prominently documented for this specific date.
- 2017: Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. This decision raised questions about his potential involvement and the ongoing investigation's implications. source: washingtonpost.com
- 2016: On May 22, 2016, reports emerged of continued atrocities in the Syrian Civil War, including attacks on civilians, use of chemical weapons, and violations of international law by various factions involved in the conflict. source: dw.com
- 2009: On May 22, 2009, heavy fighting erupted between Somali government forces and Islamist militants in Mogadishu, resulting in numerous casualties and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. source: bbc.com
- 2005: Protests erupted in Nepal advocating for democracy and political reform, reflecting widespread public discontent with the monarchy and government. The demonstrations were part of a larger movement for democratic change. source: bbc.com
- 2003: On May 22, 2003, the United Nations Security Council voted to lift sanctions imposed on Iraq following the 2003 invasion. The decision aimed to facilitate the rebuilding of Iraq's economy and infrastructure, marking a significant shift in international policy towards the country. source: un.org
- 1980: Pac-Man, the iconic arcade game developed by Namco, was first released in Japan on May 22, 1980. The game was created by Toru Iwatani and aimed to appeal to a broader audience by featuring a non-violent, maze-chase theme. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon, leading to its international release in October 1980. source: pacman.com
- 1979: On May 22, 1979, the Progressive Conservative Party, led by Joe Clark, won 136 seats in the Canadian federal election, forming a minority government. Despite the Liberal Party securing 40.11% of the popular vote, the Conservatives achieved a plurality in seats. This election marked the end of 16 years of Liberal governance under Pierre Trudeau. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1969: The Apollo 10 mission, which took place in May 1969, included a crucial test flight of the lunar module. This mission served as a rehearsal for the first moon landing, demonstrating the capabilities of the spacecraft. It was a significant step in NASA's Apollo program. source: nasa.gov
- 1968: On May 22, 1968, the USS Scorpion (SSN-589), a Skipjack-class nuclear-powered submarine, was lost southwest of the Azores. The submarine, returning from a Mediterranean deployment, reported its position on May 21, 1968, but was reported overdue six days later. Despite extensive search efforts, the submarine and its 99-member crew were declared 'presumed lost' on June 5, 1968. The cause of the loss remains a mystery. source: history.navy.mil
What famous birthdays are on May 22?
On May 22nd there are the following famous birthdays:
![Novak Djokovic]()
Novak Djokovic (1987)Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport's history. He has won multiple Grand Slam titles, including Wimbledon 2011, where he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final. Djokovic has held the world No. 1 ranking by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for a record number of weeks and played … [bio]
![Richard Wagner]()
Richard Wagner (1813)Richard Wagner was a German composer, theatre director, and conductor chiefly known for his operas (or 'music dramas'). He revolutionized Western music through his ambitious use of leitmotifs, expanded harmonies, and innovative orchestration. Wagner's best-known works include the monumental four-opera cycle 'Der Ring des Nibelungen', 'Tristan und Isolde', 'Parsifal', and 'Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg'. His career and aesthetic ideals deeply … [bio]
![Arthur Conan Doyle]()
Arthur Conan Doyle (1859)Arthur Conan Doyle was a British writer and physician, celebrated primarily for creating the legendary fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, as well as Dr. Watson. His works had a profound impact on the detective fiction genre, setting standards for literary detective characters and stories. In addition to the Sherlock Holmes series, Conan Doyle wrote historical novels, science fiction, and non-fiction. [bio]
![Naomi Campbell]()
Naomi Campbell (1970)Naomi Campbell is a British supermodel, actress, and businesswoman, renowned as one of the most recognizable and influential fashion models from the late 1980s to the present. She was one of the six models defined as 'supermodels' by the fashion industry, and is known for breaking numerous barriers for black models in high fashion. [bio]
![Charles Aznavour]()
Charles Aznavour (1924)Charles Aznavour was a renowned French-Armenian singer, songwriter, and actor, often referred to as 'France's Frank Sinatra.' Over his eight-decade career, Aznavour became one of France's most popular and enduring musical artists, selling more than 100 million records worldwide and writing over 1,200 songs in multiple languages. [bio]
![Jim Thorpe]()
Jim Thorpe (1887)Jim Thorpe was an American athlete and Olympic gold medalist, widely regarded as one of the most versatile athletes in modern sports history. Excelling in track and field, football, and baseball, Thorpe was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal for the United States. [bio]
![Maggie Q]()
![George Best]()
George Best (1946)George Best was a Northern Irish professional footballer, regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was best known for his time with Manchester United, where he played as a winger and won numerous accolades, celebrated for his skill, balance, and flair both on and off the pitch. [bio]
![Johnny Gill]()
Johnny Gill (1966)Johnny Gill is an American singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a member of the R&B group New Edition and the supergroup LSG, as well as for his successful solo career. He is recognized for his powerful voice and significant contributions to the R&B and soul genres. [bio]
![Ginnifer Goodwin]()
Ginnifer Goodwin (1978)Ginnifer Goodwin is an American actress best known for her roles in television series such as 'Big Love' and 'Once Upon a Time,' as well as in films like 'Walk the Line' and 'He's Just Not That Into You.' [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on May 22?
On May 22nd the following celebrities died:
![Victor Hugo]()
Victor Hugo (1885)Victor Hugo was a renowned French poet, novelist, and dramatist of the Romantic movement. He is widely considered one of the greatest and best-known French writers, most celebrated for works such as 'Les Misérables' and 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame'. Hugo's literary output includes poetry, fiction, and critical essays, and his political involvement led him to influence cultural and social issues … [bio]
![Margaret Rutherford]()
Margaret Rutherford (1972)Margaret Rutherford was an English actress known for her distinctive performances in comedy roles and period dramas. She gained international fame for her portrayal of Miss Marple in film adaptations of Agatha Christie's novels and received an Academy Award for her role in 'The V.I.P.s' (1963). [bio]
![Rocky Graziano]()
Rocky Graziano (1990)Rocky Graziano was an American professional boxer and world middleweight champion, best known for his aggressive fighting style and resilience in the ring. He became a cultural icon in the mid-20th century and later transitioned to television and acting. [bio]
![John Derek]()
John Derek (1998)John Derek was an American actor, director, and photographer, known for his roles in films during the 1940s and 1950s and later for directing movies starring his wives, particularly Bo Derek. [bio]
![Joan Davis]()
![Langston Hughes]()
Langston Hughes (1967)Langston Hughes was a pioneering African American poet, novelist, and playwright who played a crucial role in the Harlem Renaissance.
![Alfred Hershey]()
Alfred Hershey (1997)Renowned American geneticist who, along with Martha Chase, conducted the groundbreaking Hershey-Chase experiment that conclusively...
![Philip Roth]()
Philip Roth (2018)Philip Roth was an acclaimed American novelist considered one of the most significant literary voices of the 20th century, known for his...
![Thurl Ravenscroft]()
Thurl Ravenscroft (2005)Legendary voice actor known for iconic roles like Tony the Tiger and the voice of the Grinch song in 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'.
![Lefty Grove]()
Lefty Grove (1975)Legendary Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox, considered one of the greatest...
What day of the year is May 22?
May 22nd marks the 142nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 143rd in case of leap years).
There are 223 days remaining until the end of the year.
May 22nd is the 22nd day of the month of May.
What day of the week is May 22?
On May 22nd, 2026 the day of the week is Friday.
| May | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
What zodiac sign is associated with the day May 22?
The zodiac sign associated with May 22nd is Gemini according to the Western Zodiac.
