April 22

Events

1500day.year

Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral lands in Brazil (discovery of Brazil).

Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral landed on the coast of present-day Brazil in 1500, marking the European discovery of Brazil and the start of its colonial era.
On April 22, 1500, Pedro Álvares Cabral, commanding a Portuguese fleet bound for India, was blown westward and sighted the coast of what is now Brazil. This unexpected arrival marked the first European encounter with Brazil and led Portugal to claim the territory under the Treaty of Tordesillas. The region's abundant brazilwood and later sugarcane plantations became vital to Portugal's colonial economy. Cabral's landing initiated centuries of Portuguese rule, shaping Brazil's language, culture, and demographics. The 'discovery' also intensified European competition for colonies in the New World and altered the course of global exploration.
1500 Pedro Álvares Cabral Brazil discovery of Brazil
1519day.year

Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés establishes a settlement at Veracruz, Mexico.

Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés landed on the Mexican coast in 1519 and founded the settlement of Veracruz as his base for the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
On April 22, 1519, Hernán Cortés disembarked on the shore of what is now Veracruz, Mexico, with a small expedition of Spanish soldiers. He established the settlement of La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz as a strategic foothold for further inland campaigns. Using alliances with indigenous groups and superior weaponry, Cortés marched toward Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital. This initial landing and settlement laid the groundwork for Spain's rapid conquest of the Aztec Empire over the following two years. Veracruz became one of the earliest colonial cities in New Spain and a key port for New World treasures.
1519 conquistador Hernán Cortés Veracruz
1529day.year

Treaty of Zaragoza divides the eastern hemisphere between Spain and Portugal along a line 297.5 leagues (1,250 kilometres (780 mi)) east of the Moluccas.

The 1529 Treaty of Zaragoza set a line dividing Spanish and Portuguese domains in the East Indies, clarifying colonial boundaries in Asia.
Signed on April 22, 1529, the Treaty of Zaragoza followed the earlier Treaty of Tordesillas and aimed to resolve disputes over newly discovered lands east of the Moluccas. It established a meridian 297.5 leagues east of the Moluccas to delineate Portugal's and Spain's spheres of influence in Asia. This agreement granted Portugal control over the spice-rich Moluccas while reserving other territories for Spain. Although the precise line was difficult to enforce on the high seas, the treaty helped reduce conflict between the two maritime powers. The division shaped colonial rivalries and trade routes in Southeast Asia for decades.
1529 Treaty of Zaragoza Moluccas
1809day.year

The second day of the Battle of Eckmühl: The Austrian army is defeated by the First French Empire army led by Napoleon and driven over the Danube in Regensburg.

On April 22, 1809, Napoleon's forces achieved a decisive victory over the Austrian army at the Battle of Eckmühl, pushing the enemy across the Danube River.
Part of the War of the Fifth Coalition, the Battle of Eckmühl saw Napoleon's First French Empire forces clash with the Austrian army near Regensburg. On its second day, French troops outflanked and overwhelmed the Austrians, forcing their retreat across the Danube. The defeat opened southern Germany to French occupation and disrupted Austrian war plans. Napoleon's use of coordinated infantry and cavalry proved decisive in breaking Austrian resistance. This victory reinforced French dominance in Central Europe and hastened the collapse of the Fifth Coalition.
1809 Battle of Eckmühl Austrian First French Empire Napoleon Danube Regensburg
1836day.year

Texas Revolution: A day after the Battle of San Jacinto, forces under Texas General Sam Houston identify Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna among the captives of the battle when some of his fellow soldiers mistakenly give away his identity.

In 1836, Texan forces led by Sam Houston captured Mexican President Santa Anna shortly after the Battle of San Jacinto, securing de facto Texas independence.
On April 22, 1836, one day after the Battle of San Jacinto, Texas soldiers recognized General Antonio López de Santa Anna among the Mexican prisoners. Mistaken identity by some captives led to Santa Anna's reveal, giving the Texans a valuable bargaining chip. His capture forced him to sign the Treaties of Velasco, officially ending hostilities and granting Texas independence. The victory at San Jacinto and Santa Anna's captivity marked the turning point of the Texas Revolution. These events paved the way for the Republic of Texas and its later annexation by the United States.
1836 Texas Revolution Battle of San Jacinto Texas Sam Houston Antonio López de Santa Anna
1864day.year

The U.S. Congress passes the Coinage Act of 1864 that permitted the inscription In God We Trust be placed on all coins minted as United States currency.

The U.S. Congress approved the Coinage Act of 1864, authorizing the motto "In God We Trust" to be inscribed on all American coins.
Amid the American Civil War, Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1864 on April 22, authorizing 'In God We Trust' to appear on U.S. coins. The motto first appeared on the two-cent piece later that year, symbolizing national unity and moral purpose. This was the first time a national phrase was permanently inscribed on American currency. Over time, 'In God We Trust' spread to other denominations and became the United States' official motto. The act linked numismatic design with cultural identity and remains a topic of historical and legal discussion.
1864 U.S. Congress Coinage Act of 1864 United States currency
1876day.year

The first National League baseball game is played at the Jefferson Street Grounds in Philadelphia.

In 1876, the National League played its inaugural baseball game at Philadelphia's Jefferson Street Grounds, launching America's premier professional baseball circuit.
On April 22, 1876, the National League, formed to bring structure and stability to professional baseball, held its first official game. Teams met at the Jefferson Street Grounds in Philadelphia, marking the beginning of organized league play. The new league introduced standardized rules, schedules, and a level playing field compared to earlier clubs. This inaugural match marked the beginning of the oldest existing major professional sports league in North America. The National League's debut signaled the rise of baseball as America's national pastime.
1876 National League Jefferson Street Grounds
1889day.year

At noon, thousands rush to claim land in the Land Rush of 1889. Within hours the cities of Oklahoma City and Guthrie are formed with populations of at least 10,000.

The Land Rush of 1889 saw thousands of settlers race into Oklahoma Territory at noon to claim homesteads, instantly founding Oklahoma City and Guthrie.
On April 22, 1889, the U.S. government opened two million acres of unassigned land in Oklahoma Territory for settlement. At the sound of a gunshot at noon, an estimated 50,000 people charged into the territory to stake their claims. Within hours, boomtowns such as Oklahoma City and Guthrie sprang up, each with populations exceeding 10,000. The Land Rush exemplified the excitement and chaos of frontier expansion under the Homestead Act. Its dramatic impact reshaped the Great Plains and influenced American settlement patterns.
1889 Land Rush of 1889 Oklahoma City Guthrie
1898day.year

Spanish–American War: President William McKinley calls for 125,000 volunteers to join the National Guard and fight in Cuba, while Congress more than doubles regular Army forces to 65,000.

In 1898, President McKinley called for 125,000 volunteers and Congress doubled the Army's size to support the U.S. war effort in Cuba during the Spanish–American War.
Amid the Spanish–American War, President McKinley called for 125,000 volunteers on April 22, 1898, to reinforce U.S. forces in Cuba. Congress responded by more than doubling the size of the regular Army to 65,000 soldiers. This rapid expansion underscored America's commitment to overseas intervention and emerging global role. Volunteers and regulars played key roles in campaigns in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The war's mobilization efforts boosted U.S. military capability and signaled a shift toward modern expeditionary warfare.
1898 Spanish–American War William McKinley National Guard Cuba Congress regular Army
1906day.year

The 1906 Intercalated Games open in Athens.

The 1906 Intercalated Games opened in Athens as a special edition of the Olympics intended to reinforce the modern Olympic movement.
On April 22, 1906, Athens hosted the Intercalated Games, organized by the International Olympic Committee to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the modern Olympics. Over 800 athletes from more than 20 nations competed in 78 events, reviving global interest after earlier Games. These Games introduced innovations like raising the national flags of medalists and featuring an opening ceremony parade. Although successful, the Intercalated Games were never repeated due to logistical and political challenges. Today, the 1906 Games remain a unique chapter in Olympic history and a symbol of early Olympic evolution.
1906 1906 Intercalated Games Athens
1915day.year

World War I: The use of poison gas in World War I escalates when chlorine gas is released as a chemical weapon in the Second Battle of Ypres.

In 1915, the Second Battle of Ypres marked the first large-scale use of chlorine gas by the German Army, ushering in a new era of chemical warfare.
On April 22, 1915, German forces released over 168 tons of chlorine gas along the Yser Front during the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium. The greenish-yellow cloud drifted toward Allied trenches, causing panic, choking, and severe injuries. This attack represented a major escalation in chemical warfare and shattered previous conventions of safe conflict. Both sides scrambled to develop gas masks and countermeasures, leading to a deadly arms race in toxic weapons. Civilians and soldiers alike were horrified by the indiscriminate nature of this new tactic. The event marked a grim turning point in World War I and left a lasting legacy on military strategy and international law regarding chemical weapons.
1915 World War I poison gas in World War I chlorine gas chemical weapon Second Battle of Ypres
1930day.year

The United Kingdom, Japan and the United States sign the London Naval Treaty regulating submarine warfare and limiting shipbuilding.

The London Naval Treaty of 1930 saw major naval powers agree to limit submarine warfare and warship construction, aiming to prevent a new arms race.
Signed on April 22, 1930, the London Naval Treaty brought together the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States to curb naval armaments following World War I. Negotiators agreed to restrictions on the tonnage and armament of submarines and surface vessels. This accord built upon the earlier Washington Naval Treaty and sought to maintain a balance of naval power. While it extended limits to smaller classes of ships, some nations later found loopholes to continue rearmament. Critics argue that the treaty failed to prevent the naval buildup that preceded World War II. Nonetheless, it represented a significant diplomatic effort to promote peace and stability in the interwar period. The London Naval Treaty influenced subsequent arms control negotiations and remains a landmark in disarmament history.
1930 London Naval Treaty submarine shipbuilding