1370day.year
Brussels massacre: An estimated 13 Jews are murdered and the rest of the Jewish community is banished from Brussels, Belgium, for allegedly desecrating consecrated Host.
In 1370, Brussels witnessed a massacre of Jews and the expulsion of survivors amid accusations of host desecration.
Medieval antisemitic rumors claimed that members of Brussels’ Jewish community desecrated the consecrated Host. On May 22, a mob murdered around thirteen Jews and forced the remainder to leave the city. Civic authorities sanctioned the expulsion, reflecting widespread intolerance across Europe. The massacre devastated local Jewish life and dispersed families to other regions. Chronicles of the event fueled later persecutions and expulsions in the Low Countries. Modern historians view it as a tragic episode of religiously justified violence. The Brussels massacre remains a somber reminder of medieval bigotry.
1370
Brussels massacre
Brussels
Host
1816day.year
A mob in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, England, riots over high unemployment and rising grain costs, and the riots spread to Ely the next day.
Unemployed workers in Littleport riot over food shortages and high grain prices, sparking unrest in Cambridgeshire.
On May 22, 1816, protests erupted in the market town of Littleport, Cambridgeshire, as a crowd of hungry laborers demanded cheaper bread and public relief. Economic hardship followed the end of the Napoleonic Wars, with returning soldiers and poor harvests driving up grain costs. The riot soon spread to nearby Ely, with looting and clashes with local militia. Authorities responded with arrests and harsh sentences, including death and transportation for several ringleaders. The incident prompted debates in Parliament over social welfare and led to reforms in the Poor Laws. The Littleport riots remain an early example of popular protest against economic injustice in 19th-century Britain.
1816
Littleport, Cambridgeshire
riots
Ely
1846day.year
The Associated Press is formed in New York City as a non-profit news cooperative.
The Associated Press forms in New York City as a non-profit news cooperative.
On May 22, 1846, six New York newspapers joined forces to establish the Associated Press.
Created as a non-profit cooperative, the AP aimed to share the cost of gathering news via the telegraph.
The organization’s founding members included the New York Herald and other major dailies.
This collaborative model revolutionized news reporting and set standards for journalistic practices.
Over time, the Associated Press would grow into a leading global news agency, still operating under cooperative principles.
1846
Associated Press
New York City
1957day.year
South Africa's government approves of racial separation in universities.
In 1957, South Africa's government formalized racial segregation in universities, deepening the reach of the apartheid system in higher education.
In May 1957, the South African government officially approved a policy enforcing racial separation in universities across the country. This decision extended the reach of apartheid beyond everyday life into the realm of higher education. Under the new rules, institutions were designated for specific racial groups, limiting academic opportunities for non-white students. Critics argued the policy entrenched inequality and stifled intellectual freedom. Supporters claimed it preserved cultural identities and educational standards. The move drew condemnation from international observers and student activists. It marked a significant intensification of apartheid, affecting generations of South African scholars. The 1957 approval set a precedent for further segregation laws in subsequent years.
1957
racial separation
1958day.year
The 1958 riots in Ceylon become a watershed in the race relations of various ethnic communities of Sri Lanka. The total deaths are estimated at 300, mostly Tamils.
The 1958 riots in Ceylon sparked large-scale communal violence, resulting in around 300 deaths, mostly among Tamil civilians.
In May 1958, ethnic tensions in Ceylon erupted into large-scale riots, marking a tragic turning point in Sri Lanka’s race relations. The violence pitted majority Sinhalese mobs against minority Tamil communities, resulting in widespread destruction of property and loss of life. Government forces and local militias were criticized for failing to prevent the unrest. An estimated 300 people were killed, the majority being Tamils. The riots exposed deep-seated grievances over language policy, economic disparities, and political representation. In the aftermath, authorities imposed curfews and called in military reinforcements to restore order. The events highlighted the fragility of interethnic harmony and shaped future policies on minority rights. The 1958 riots remain a poignant reminder of the costs of communal division.
1958
1958 riots in Ceylon
Tamils
1964day.year
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson launches his Great Society program.
President Lyndon B. Johnson launched the Great Society program in 1964 to tackle poverty, education, and civil rights in the United States.
On May 22, 1964, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson unveiled his ambitious Great Society agenda, outlining a series of domestic initiatives to promote social welfare and equality. The program targeted issues such as poverty, education, healthcare, urban development, and civil rights. Landmark legislation under the Great Society included the Civil Rights Act, Medicare, Medicaid, and federal funding for education. Johnson’s vision was to build on the New Deal and create a more equitable society across all states. While proponents praised its progressive goals, critics argued it expanded federal power and led to bureaucratic inefficiencies. Nevertheless, many Great Society reforms remain integral to American social policy. The program reshaped the nation’s approach to citizenship, opportunity, and government responsibility.
1964
Lyndon B. Johnson
Great Society
2002day.year
Civil rights movement: A jury in Birmingham, Alabama, convicts former Ku Klux Klan member Bobby Frank Cherry of the 1963 murder of four girls in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.
In 2002, an Alabama jury convicted ex-KKK member Bobby Frank Cherry for the 1963 church bombing that killed four girls.
On May 22, 2002, a jury in Birmingham, Alabama, found Bobby Frank Cherry guilty of murdering four young girls in the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. The attack had become a defining moment in the American civil rights movement, galvanizing support for racial justice. Cherry's conviction came nearly 39 years after the bombing and followed extensive investigations into the case. Survivors and families of the victims hailed the verdict as a long-overdue step toward accountability. The outcome underscored the enduring impact of civil rights advocates in seeking justice decades after the tragedy.
2002
Civil rights movement
Birmingham, Alabama
Ku Klux Klan
Bobby Frank Cherry
1963
16th Street Baptist Church bombing
2015day.year
The Republic of Ireland becomes the first nation in the world to utilise a public referendum to legalise gay marriage.
In May 2015, Ireland became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage through a public referendum.
On 22 May 2015, Irish voters took part in a historic referendum on legalising same-sex marriage.
With 62% voting in favor, Ireland became the first nation to enshrine marriage equality in its constitution by popular vote.
The result marked a milestone in the global LGBT rights movement, celebrated by activists worldwide.
Campaigners on both sides engaged in a vibrant national debate through rallies, media, and community events.
The amendment granted same-sex couples equal marriage rights, including adoption and inheritance protections.
Ireland's decision inspired similar campaigns and referendums in other countries seeking to advance equality.
2015
Republic of Ireland
legalise gay marriage