January 22

Events - Politics & Government

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
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
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
1901day.year

Edward VII is proclaimed King of the United Kingdom after the death of his mother, Queen Victoria.

On January 22, 1901, Prince Albert Edward ascended the British throne as King Edward VII following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria, ushering in the Edwardian era.
Queen Victoria died on January 22, 1901, ending the longest reign in British history at over 63 years. Her eldest son, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, was proclaimed King Edward VII, heralding a new chapter for the monarchy. Edward's reign marked the beginning of the Edwardian era, noted for cultural innovation, changing social mores, and evolving diplomatic ties in Europe. Dubbed the "Uncle of Europe," he strengthened relations with France through the Entente Cordiale and modernized the Royal Navy. His more relaxed court compared to his mother's strict Victorian morals influenced fashion, architecture, and high society. Though his reign lasted just nine years, Edward VII's leadership and patronage left a lasting imprint on early 20th-century Britain.
1901 Edward VII King of the United Kingdom death of his mother Queen Victoria
1905day.year

Bloody Sunday in Saint Petersburg, beginning of the 1905 revolution.

On January 22, 1905, Imperial troops fired on unarmed protesters in Saint Petersburg, an event known as Bloody Sunday that sparked the 1905 Russian Revolution.
On January 22, 1905, a peaceful procession of workers and their families, led by Father Georgy Gapon, marched toward the Winter Palace to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas II. Imperial guards opened fire on the unarmed crowd, killing and wounding hundreds in the massacre that became known as Bloody Sunday. The brutal suppression shattered the myth of the benevolent Tsar and ignited widespread outrage across the Russian Empire. In the months that followed, strikes, peasant uprisings, and mutinies spread, marking the outbreak of the 1905 Revolution. Under mounting pressure, Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto, granting limited civil liberties and establishing Russia's first parliament, the Duma. Although the reforms proved temporary, Bloody Sunday set in motion forces that would culminate in the revolutions of 1917.
1905 Bloody Sunday Saint Petersburg 1905 revolution
1917day.year

American entry into World War I: President Woodrow Wilson of the still-neutral United States calls for "peace without victory" in Europe.

On January 22, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson delivered his "peace without victory" address to Congress, advocating for a fair and lasting resolution to World War I.
In a memorable speech to Congress on January 22, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson urged warring nations to seek a peace without punitive terms that could sow seeds of future conflicts. Despite the United States' official neutrality, Wilson's moral appeal signaled a more engaged U.S. role in global affairs. He emphasized self-determination and collective security, principles that would later underpin the League of Nations. The address received international praise but faced criticism from interventionists who viewed it as weak in the face of aggression. Within months, Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare would lead Wilson to request a formal declaration of war on April 2, 1917. Wilson's speech remains a defining moment in American diplomatic history and the evolution of liberal internationalism.
1917 American entry into World War I Woodrow Wilson
1919day.year

Act Zluky is signed, unifying the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian National Republic.

On January 22, 1919, the Act Zluky was proclaimed in Kyiv, unifying the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian National Republic into a single state.
Delegates from the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian National Republic gathered on January 22, 1919, in Kyiv to sign the Act Zluky (Unification Act). The ceremony on Saint Sophia Square symbolized the union of territories previously divided between the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires. This historic act represented the aspirations for a single, independent Ukrainian state in the aftermath of World War I. However, the fledgling union faced immediate military pressure from both Polish and Bolshevik forces, challenging its stability. Although the unified republic lasted only briefly, the Act Zluky laid the ideological groundwork for modern Ukrainian sovereignty. January 22 is now celebrated annually as Unity Day, honoring this foundational moment in Ukraine's national identity.
1919 Act Zluky Ukrainian People's Republic West Ukrainian National Republic
1924day.year

Ramsay MacDonald becomes the first Labour Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

On January 22, 1924, Ramsay MacDonald was sworn in as the first Labour Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, marking a historic shift in British politics.
Ramsay MacDonald took office on January 22, 1924, leading Britain's first government formed by the Labour Party. His minority administration aimed to address social inequality through unemployment relief, public housing, and welfare reforms. Facing opposition from both Conservative and Liberal parties, MacDonald navigated budgetary disputes, particularly over military spending. The government lasted just nine months, collapsing after the 'Campbell Case' and emerging budget crisis. Despite its brevity, MacDonald's premiership validated Labour as a credible governing party and influenced future social policy. He would return to power in 1929, leaving an enduring legacy on the evolution of the modern British welfare state.
1924 Ramsay MacDonald Labour Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
1946day.year

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.

Kurdish leader Qazi Muhammad proclaims the Republic of Mahabad in northwestern Iran on January 22, 1946.
On January 22, 1946, Kurdish leader Qazi Muhammad declared the Republic of Mahabad in Mahabad, Iran. Backed by the Soviet occupation, the new state sought Kurdish autonomy after World War II. Qazi Muhammad became president, with Haji Baba Sheikh appointed as prime minister, forming a Kurdish-led government. The republic established Kurdish-language schools, a national flag, and a local militia to manage its affairs. Despite pioneering self-rule, it faced economic hardship, limited international support, and internal divisions. By December 1946, Iranian forces reoccupied the region, bringing the short-lived republic to an end.
1946 Iran Qazi Muhammad Republic of Mahabad Chahar Cheragh Square Mahabad Haji Baba Sheikh prime minister
1946day.year

Creation of the Central Intelligence Group, forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency.

The United States establishes the Central Intelligence Group, predecessor to the CIA, on January 22, 1946.
On January 22, 1946, the U.S. government formed the Central Intelligence Group (CIG) to coordinate postwar intelligence operations. Operating under the Director of Central Intelligence, the CIG consolidated functions of wartime agencies into a peacetime service. It gathered and analyzed political, economic, and military intelligence amid rising Cold War tensions. The CIG laid the groundwork for a unified U.S. national intelligence framework. With the passage of the National Security Act in 1947, the CIG was replaced by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Central Intelligence Agency