1766day.year
A large earthquake causes heavy damage and loss of life in Istanbul and the Marmara region.
A devastating earthquake strikes Istanbul and the Marmara region, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
On May 22, 1766, a powerful earthquake estimated at magnitude 7.1 rocked Istanbul and the surrounding Marmara region of the Ottoman Empire. Many historic mosques, palaces, and residential areas suffered severe damage or collapse, leaving thousands homeless. Contemporary accounts describe scenes of chaos as aftershocks continued to rattle the city. The disaster prompted relief efforts by local authorities and the central government in Constantinople. Reconstruction of key landmarks, including the Ayasofya and the Grand Bazaar, would take years. The event remains one of the most destructive earthquakes in Istanbul's recorded history.
1766
large earthquake
Istanbul
1915day.year
Lassen Peak erupts with a powerful force, the only volcano besides Mount St. Helens to erupt in the contiguous U.S. during the 20th century.
Lassen Peak erupted with exceptional force, one of only two significant volcanic eruptions in the contiguous United States during the 20th century.
Lassen Peak in northern California erupted on May 22, 1915, sending explosive ash columns miles into the sky. This eruption was the only major volcanic event in the lower 48 states besides Mount St. Helens in 1980. The explosion deposited ash across towns, disrupted rail service, and altered the landscape around the mountain. Black lava flows and pyroclastic debris reshaped the nearby terrain. Scientists later studied the eruption to understand Cascade Range volcanism. Lassen Peak's activity led to the creation of Lassen Volcanic National Park in 1916, preserving its unique geological features. The eruption remains a landmark event in American volcanic history.
1915
Lassen Peak
Mount St. Helens
1915day.year
Three trains collide in the Quintinshill rail disaster near Gretna Green, Scotland, killing 227 people and injuring 246.
Britain's worst rail accident, the Quintinshill disaster near Gretna Green, killed 227 people when three trains collided.
On the morning of May 22, 1915, a series of signal errors and scheduling mistakes led to three trains colliding at Quintinshill, near Gretna Green in Scotland. The accident involved an overcrowded troop train, a local passenger service, and a northbound express. Estimates put the death toll at 227 soldiers and civilians, with 246 more injured, making it the deadliest rail disaster in British history. Rescue efforts were hampered by wartime conditions and the remote location. The tragedy prompted a full public inquiry and led to major reforms in railway signaling and operational protocols. Memorials erected at the site honor the victims and underscore the importance of railway safety. Quintinshill remains a somber reminder of the human cost of technical failures.
Quintinshill rail disaster
Gretna Green
1927day.year
Near Xining, China, an 8.3 magnitude earthquake causes 200,000 deaths in one of the world's most destructive earthquakes.
A devastating 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Xining in China, claiming around 200,000 lives in one of history's deadliest quakes.
On May 22, 1927, an intense earthquake measuring 8.3 struck near Xining in northwestern China. The tremor triggered massive landslides and collapsed buildings across the remote Qinghai region. Communication and relief efforts were severely limited, leaving many survivors without aid for days. Official estimates record approximately 200,000 fatalities, though the true toll may never be known. The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of rural communities to seismic hazards. It became a case study for geologists studying the tectonic activity of the Tibetan Plateau. The Xining earthquake remains one of the most destructive natural disasters of the early 20th century.
1927
Xining
earthquake
1960day.year
The Great Chilean earthquake, measuring 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale, hits southern Chile, becoming the most powerful earthquake ever recorded.
The 1960 Great Chilean earthquake struck southern Chile with a magnitude of 9.5, making it the most powerful earthquake ever recorded.
On May 22, 1960, southern Chile was devastated by the Great Chilean earthquake, which registered 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale. The quake remains the largest ever instrumentally recorded. It generated massive tsunamis that traveled across the Pacific, causing damage in Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines. Thousands of lives were lost and hundreds of thousands were left homeless in Chile. Entire towns were flattened and vital infrastructure was destroyed, plunging the region into crisis. International aid efforts were mobilized to assist survivors and rebuild communities. The disaster prompted scientific studies that advanced the understanding of plate tectonics and earthquake prediction. Chile’s recovery became a testament to resilience and global solidarity.
1960
Great Chilean earthquake
moment magnitude scale
Chile
1962day.year
Continental Airlines Flight 11 crashes in Unionville, Missouri after bombs explode on board, killing 45.
Continental Airlines Flight 11 was destroyed by onboard bombs over Missouri in 1962, killing all 45 people aboard.
On May 22, 1962, Continental Airlines Flight 11 broke apart in mid-air near Unionville, Missouri, after two dynamite bombs exploded in the cabin. The aircraft, en route from Chicago to Kansas City, carried 45 passengers and crew, all of whom perished instantly. Investigators later determined that the bombs had been planted by a passenger, making it one of the first confirmed cases of in-flight sabotage in the United States. The tragedy prompted federal authorities to strengthen airport security and baggage screening procedures nationwide. Despite extensive investigation, the motive behind the bombing remains unclear. The disaster left a lasting impact on aviation safety regulations and public perception of air travel. Memorials in Missouri and national aviation archives continue to honor the victims of Flight 11.
1962
Continental Airlines Flight 11
Unionville, Missouri
1967day.year
L'Innovation department store in Brussels, Belgium, burns down, resulting in 323 dead or missing and 150 injured, the most devastating fire in Belgian history.
On May 22, 1967, a devastating blaze engulfed L'Innovation department store in Brussels, resulting in 323 people dead or missing and 150 injured.
It remains the deadliest department store fire in Belgian history.
On the evening of May 22, 1967, a blaze broke out on the top floors of L'Innovation, a prestigious department store in central Brussels.
The fire spread rapidly through the multi-story building, trapping shoppers and staff.
Rescue efforts were hampered by narrow staircases and dense smoke.
By dawn, 323 people were confirmed dead or missing and 150 injured, marking Belgium's deadliest fire.
In the aftermath, an investigation highlighted serious safety lapses, leading to stricter fire regulations.
Memorials and annual commemorations remember the victims and raise awareness about fire safety.
L'Innovation
Brussels
1968day.year
The nuclear-powered submarine USS Scorpion sinks with 99 men aboard, 400 nautical miles (740 km) southwest of the Azores.
On May 22, 1968, the nuclear-powered submarine USS Scorpion disappeared southwest of the Azores with all 99 crew aboard.
Its loss remains one of the enduring mysteries of the Cold War era.
Departing from Norfolk on a routine patrol, the USS Scorpion vanished on May 22, 1968, about 400 nautical miles southwest of the Azores.
All 99 sailors aboard were declared lost as no survivors were found.
The U.S. Navy conducted an extensive search but only recovered scattered debris and minimal remains.
Investigations have speculated various causes, including mechanical failure or an onboard accident.
The tragedy highlighted the dangers of deep-sea submarine operations and led to improved safety protocols.
To this day, the exact circumstances of the Scorpion's sinking remain unsolved and a subject of naval intrigue.
1968
submarine
USS Scorpion
Azores
2010day.year
Air India Express Flight 812, a Boeing 737 crashes over a cliff upon landing at Mangalore, India, killing 158 of 166 people on board, becoming the deadliest crash involving a Boeing 737 until the crash of Lion Air Flight 610.
On May 22, 2010, Air India Express Flight 812 crashed while landing at Mangalore airport, killing 158 of the 166 on board.
Air India Express Flight 812, operating a Boeing 737, overshot the runway at Mangalore International Airport on May 22, 2010, and plunged down a steep cliff. Of the 166 passengers and crew, 158 lost their lives in what became the deadliest accident involving a Boeing 737 at that time. Investigations pointed to pilot error and insufficient runway safety measures in challenging weather conditions. The tragedy led to calls for enhanced training for flight crews and upgrades to airport infrastructure in India. It remained the worst accident in the airline's history until later aviation disasters surpassed its casualty count.
2010
Air India Express Flight 812
Boeing 737
Mangalore
Lion Air Flight 610
2011day.year
An EF5 tornado strikes Joplin, Missouri, killing 158 people and wreaking $2.8 billion in damages, the costliest and seventh-deadliest single tornado in U.S. history.
An EF5 tornado tore through Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011, killing 158 people and causing record damage.
On May 22, 2011, an EF5 tornado tore a 22-mile swath through Joplin, Missouri, leaving a trail of devastation. The storm claimed 158 lives and injured hundreds more, making it the seventh-deadliest single tornado in U.S. history. Damage estimates reached $2.8 billion, ranking it as the costliest tornado event in the nation. Emergency responders and volunteer groups worked tirelessly to search for survivors and provide critical aid. The disaster prompted reviews of tornado warning systems and strengthened community preparedness for severe weather.
2011
An EF5 tornado
Joplin, Missouri
2014day.year
An explosion occurs in Ürümqi, capital of China's far-western Xinjiang region, resulting in at least 43 deaths and 91 injuries.
A massive explosion struck the streets of Ürümqi in May 2014, killing at least 43 people and injuring 91.
On 22 May 2014, a powerful blast ripped through a crowded street in Ürümqi, the capital of China's Xinjiang region.
Officials reported at least 43 people dead and over 90 injured in the aftermath of the explosion.
The cause of the blast was initially unclear, sparking investigations by Chinese authorities amid regional tensions.
Emergency teams and local residents worked together to rescue survivors and clear debris from the scene.
The incident heightened security measures across Xinjiang, drawing attention to ethnic and security challenges in the region.
explosion
Ürümqi
Xinjiang
2017day.year
Twenty-two people are killed at an Ariana Grande concert in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
A suicide bomber attacked an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester in May 2017, killing 22 people and injuring hundreds.
On the evening of 22 May 2017, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the exit of an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena.
The attack resulted in 22 fatalities and injured over 500 people, many of them children and young fans.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the bombing, which was one of the deadliest terror attacks in the UK since 2005.
Emergency responders and concertgoers worked together to evacuate the venue and treat the wounded.
The incident led to a national outpouring of grief, solidarity concerts, and renewed focus on counter-terrorism efforts.
Support campaigns like 'We Stand Together' raised funds for victims and their families in the aftermath.
2017
Ariana Grande
2017 Manchester Arena bombing