January 22

Events

613day.year

Eight-month-old Heraclius Constantine is crowned as co-emperor (Caesar) by his father Heraclius at Constantinople.

In 613, eight-month-old Heraclius Constantine was crowned co-emperor by his father, Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, in Constantinople.
Heraclius Constantine, only eight months old, was elevated to the rank of Caesar on January 22, 613, securing the dynastic succession of the Heraclian line in the Byzantine Empire. His father, Emperor Heraclius, had seized power three years earlier and sought to strengthen his family's legitimacy amid ongoing conflicts with the Sassanian Persians. The ceremony took place in the imperial capital of Constantinople, reflecting the political and religious importance of co-emperorship in Byzantine governance. This act foreshadowed the later full coronation of Heraclius Constantine as senior emperor. The joint rule model aimed to ensure stability and continuity of authority across the empire. Historians view this crowning as a strategic move by Heraclius to solidify his dynasty's grip on power during a period of external threat.
613 Heraclius Constantine Caesar Heraclius Constantinople
871day.year

Battle of Basing: The West Saxons led by King Æthelred I are defeated by the Danelaw Vikings at Basing.

In 871, the West Saxons under King Æthelred I suffered defeat by the Danelaw Vikings at the Battle of Basing.
The Battle of Basing took place on January 22, 871, near modern-day Old Basing in Hampshire. King Æthelred I led the West Saxon army against invading Viking forces from the Danelaw. Despite fierce resistance, the Saxons were overwhelmed by the Vikings' superior tactics and numbers. This defeat followed earlier clashes during the Great Heathen Army's campaign in England. The loss at Basing forced Æthelred to regroup his forces and call upon his brother Alfred for support. The battle highlighted the resilience of the Saxon kingdoms and set the stage for Alfred's later successes in defending Wessex. Ultimately, the struggle against Viking incursions shaped the future unification of England.
871 Battle of Basing West Saxons Æthelred I Danelaw Vikings Basing
1506day.year

The first contingent of 150 Swiss Guards arrives at the Vatican.

In 1506, the first contingent of 150 Swiss Guards arrived in Rome to serve as the Pope's personal protectors at the Vatican.
On January 22, 1506, a group of 150 Swiss mercenaries entered Rome on foot and were officially incorporated into the papal military contingent, becoming the Swiss Guard. Pope Julius II had invited these experienced soldiers to ensure his personal security and to reinforce the Vatican's defenses. The Swiss Guard wore a distinctive uniform and quickly gained a reputation for loyalty and discipline. Over the centuries, they have maintained their role as the official guardians of the Holy See and the pontiff. The arrival marked the beginning of one of the oldest military units still in operation today. Their ceremonial duties and colorful Renaissance-style attire make them an enduring symbol of the Vatican. The Swiss Guard's legacy continues to attract visitors from around the world.
1506 Swiss Guards Vatican
1517day.year

The Ottoman Empire under Selim I defeats the Mamluk Sultanate and captures present-day Egypt at the Battle of Ridaniya.

In 1517, Ottoman Sultan Selim I defeated the Mamluk Sultanate at the Battle of Ridaniya, capturing Egypt for the Ottoman Empire.
The Battle of Ridaniya occurred on January 22, 1517, near Cairo, as Ottoman forces under Sultan Selim I engaged the armies of the Mamluk Sultanate. Utilizing superior artillery and tactical innovations, the Ottomans routed the Mamluk troops and seized control of Egypt. This decisive victory ended centuries of Mamluk rule and propelled the Ottoman Empire to its zenith as a Middle Eastern power. The conquest of Egypt also gave the Ottomans control over the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, enhancing their claim to the caliphate. The incorporation of Egypt enriched the empire's economy and facilitated new trade routes. Sultan Selim's triumph at Ridaniya changed the balance of power in the Islamic world. The event is often cited as a turning point in early modern Middle Eastern history.
1517 Ottoman Empire Selim I Mamluk Sultanate Battle of Ridaniya
1555day.year

The Ava Kingdom falls to the Taungoo Dynasty in what is now Myanmar.

In 1555, the historic Ava Kingdom in present-day Myanmar fell to the expanding Taungoo Dynasty.
On January 22, 1555, forces of the Taungoo Dynasty captured the city of Inwa (Ava), ending the centuries-old Ava Kingdom's independence. The Taungoo rulers, led by King Bayinnaung, had embarked on a campaign to unify the Burmese-speaking regions. The fall of Ava marked a significant consolidation of power and the emergence of the Taungoo Empire as a dominant force in Southeast Asia. Under Bayinnaung's leadership, the realm would soon extend across much of present-day Myanmar, Thailand, and beyond. The conquest reshaped political and cultural landscapes through administrative reforms and patronage of Buddhism. The event underscores the dynamic state formation processes during the 16th century in the region. Ava's legacy survived in literature and architecture, influencing later Burmese kingdoms.
1555 Ava Kingdom Taungoo Dynasty Myanmar
1689day.year

The Convention Parliament convenes to determine whether James II and VII, the last Roman Catholic monarch of England, Ireland and Scotland, had vacated the thrones of England and Ireland when he fled to France in 1688.

In 1689, the Convention Parliament assembled to decide whether James II had vacated the English and Irish thrones by fleeing to France.
The Convention Parliament convened on January 22, 1689, in the aftermath of the Glorious Revolution, to address the abdication of King James II & VII. With James II's flight to France the previous year, the parliament faced the constitutional crisis of determining if the throne was forfeit. The assembly declared that James had abdicated, paving the way for the joint monarchy of William III and Mary II. This decision established the principle that sovereignty derived from the consent of Parliament rather than divine right. The Convention Parliament's deliberations led to the Declaration of Rights and the Bill of Rights 1689, key documents in the development of modern constitutional monarchy. The events of early 1689 thus reshaped the British political system and limited royal prerogative. Scholars view this as a foundational moment in parliamentary democracy.
1689 Convention Parliament James II and VII Roman Catholic 1688
1808day.year

The Portuguese royal family arrives in Brazil after fleeing the French army's invasion of Portugal two months earlier.

On January 22, 1808, the Portuguese royal family reached the colony of Brazil after fleeing Napoleon's invasion.
When Napoleon's forces invaded Portugal in late 1807, Prince Regent John VI of Portugal and his court embarked on a historic transatlantic flight. On January 22, 1808, they landed in Rio de Janeiro, making the city the seat of the Portuguese Empire. This relocation elevated Brazil from colony to the heart of imperial governance, triggering major economic and administrative reforms. The royal presence stimulated local industry, opened Brazilian ports to foreign trade, and transformed Rio de Janeiro into a bustling capital. The move laid the groundwork for Brazil's eventual independence in 1822. It also altered Portugal's political landscape, as the kingdom remained under French occupation. Historians see this episode as a turning point in the histories of both nations. The royal court's exile left a lasting cultural and institutional legacy in Brazil.
1808 Portuguese royal family arrives in Brazil French army's invasion of Portugal
1849day.year

Second Anglo-Sikh War: The Siege of Multan ends after nine months when the last Sikh defenders of Multan, Punjab, surrender.

The nine-month Siege of Multan concluded on January 22, 1849, with the surrender of the last Sikh defenders.
During the Second Anglo-Sikh War, British East India Company forces besieged the heavily fortified city of Multan from September 1848. The siege dragged on through monsoon rains and supply shortages, inflicting heavy casualties on both sides. On January 22, 1849, Sikh defenders, exhausted and outgunned, agreed to surrender under negotiated terms. The fall of Multan deprived the Punjabi kingdom of a key stronghold and accelerated the collapse of Sikh resistance. Soon after, the British decisively defeated the Sikh army at the Battle of Gujrat, leading to the annexation of the Punjab. The siege showcased Victorian military engineering and the expanding reach of the British Empire in India. The event had lasting impacts on the region's political landscape and communal relations.
1849 Second Anglo-Sikh War Siege of Multan Sikh Multan Punjab
1863day.year

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.

On January 22, 1863, the January Uprising against Russian rule broke out in Poland, Lithuania, and Belarus.
The January Uprising began as a revolt by Polish nationalists against the Russian Empire's domination of the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Sparked on January 22, 1863, in Warsaw, the insurrection quickly spread to Lithuania, Belarus, and parts of Ukraine. Rebels sought to restore Polish sovereignty through guerrilla warfare and patriotic demonstrations. Despite initial enthusiasm, the uprising suffered from inadequate arms, disunity among leaders, and brutal repression by Russian forces. Over the next year, the revolt was gradually crushed, resulting in thousands of deaths and mass deportations to Siberia. Nevertheless, the uprising left a powerful legacy of resistance and influenced later Polish independence movements. It also triggered wider debates about national self-determination across Europe.
1863 January Uprising Lithuania Belarus Polish–Lithuanian–Ruthenian Commonwealth
1879day.year

The Battle of Isandlwana during the Anglo-Zulu War results in a Zulu victory.

In 1879, Zulu forces achieved a stunning victory over British troops at the Battle of Isandlwana during the Anglo-Zulu War.
On January 22, 1879, the Zulu army ambushed a British camp at Isandlwana in Natal, South Africa, inflicting heavy casualties and overrunning fortified positions. Commanded by King Cetshwayo, the Zulus utilized superior knowledge of the terrain and traditional warfare tactics to defeat Colonel Durnford's irregulars and detachments of the 24th Regiment. The victory shocked the British Empire and challenged prevailing notions of colonial invincibility. However, the triumph was followed by British reprisals at Rorke's Drift and a full-scale campaign that eventually subjugated the Zulu Kingdom. Isandlwana remains one of the few major defeats the British army suffered against indigenous forces. The battle has been studied for its tactical lessons and symbolizes resistance against colonial expansion. Today, the battlefield is a memorial and UNESCO heritage site.
1879 Battle of Isandlwana Anglo-Zulu War
1879day.year

The Battle of Rorke's Drift, also during the Anglo-Zulu War and just some 15 km (9.3 mi) away from Isandlwana, results in a British victory.

On January 22, 1879, a small British garrison at Rorke's Drift defended their post against overwhelming Zulu forces, achieving a famous victory during the Anglo-Zulu War.
On January 22, 1879, a garrison of roughly 150 British and colonial troops at Rorke's Drift in Natal faced an assault by over 4,000 Zulu warriors. The battle came just hours after the British defeat at Isandlwana, 15 km away, and became one of the most celebrated actions of the Anglo-Zulu War. Led by Lieutenants John Chard and Gonville Bromhead, the defenders held off repeated Zulu attacks with improvised barricades and unyielding resolve. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the British inflicted heavy casualties and safeguarded the mission station's hospital and supplies. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded, the most ever for a single engagement, immortalizing the bravery of the defenders. The story of Rorke's Drift would inspire books, films, and songs, cementing its place in British military history.
Battle of Rorke's Drift
1890day.year

The United Mine Workers of America is founded in Columbus, Ohio.

The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) was established on January 22, 1890 in Columbus, Ohio to represent coal miners in their struggle for fair wages and safer conditions.
On January 22, 1890, delegates from several regional miners' unions convened in Columbus, Ohio to form the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). Under the leadership of John McBride and with the support of organizers like Mary "Mother" Jones, the UMWA campaigned for better pay, shorter hours, and improved mine safety. The union rapidly grew in membership, becoming a powerful force in American labor relations and industrial negotiations. In the following decades, the UMWA led landmark strikes that secured advancements in workers' compensation, child labor laws, and safety regulations. Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and later the AFL-CIO, the union continued to advocate for miners' rights through the 20th century. The UMWA's founding marked a pivotal moment in the history of the American labor movement.
1890 United Mine Workers of America Columbus, Ohio