July 22

In July 1342, exceptionally heavy rainfall over the Alps and surrounding regions triggered catastrophic flooding along major rivers such as the Danube, Rhine, and Elbe. Villages and towns in present-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland were engulfed by surging waters that destroyed homes, bridges, and crops. Contemporary accounts describe entire communities washed away and thousands of lives lost. The flood reshaped riverbanks, altered medieval trade routes, and left a lasting impact on local economies. It remains a benchmark event for studying extreme weather in Europe’s environmental history.

During the Preparedness Day parade on July 22, 1916, a devastating bomb exploded along San Francisco's Market Street. The blast resulted in ten deaths and injured around forty spectators, casting a pall over the city. Authorities launched a high-profile investigation amid heated debates over U.S. entry into World War I. Labor leader Thomas Mooney was controversially convicted for the attack, sparking years of protests and legal battles. The incident remains one of early 20th-century America's most notorious domestic terror acts. Remembering this event highlights issues of justice, civil unrest, and political tension.

On July 22, 1973, Pan Am Flight 816, a Boeing 707, departed Faa'a International Airport in Papeete, French Polynesia. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced a malfunction and plunged into the Pacific Ocean. All 78 passengers and crew members on board were killed in the accident. Investigations pointed to possible engine failure and pilot disorientation in low visibility conditions. The tragedy prompted revisions to aircraft maintenance procedures and pilot training for overwater operations. It stands as one of the deadliest aviation accidents in French Polynesia's history.

In July 1993, record river levels from historic flooding caused levees near Kaskaskia, Illinois, to rupture. The breach submerged much of the town and left residents stranded on higher ground. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers organized an emergency evacuation by barge, relocating hundreds to safety. The disaster highlighted vulnerabilities in flood control systems along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Cleanup and rebuilding efforts took months, with communities banding together to restore homes and infrastructure. The event remains a stark reminder of the destructive power of natural disasters and the importance of preparedness.

On July 22, 2013, a sequence of earthquakes rattled Dingxi in China's northwestern Gansu province. The strongest tremors reached a magnitude of 6.6, flattening homes and triggering landslides in mountainous areas. Emergency responders reported at least 89 fatalities and over 500 injuries amid collapsed buildings and disrupted infrastructure. Local authorities launched large-scale rescue and relief operations, including medical aid and temporary shelters for survivors. The disaster underscored challenges of earthquake preparedness in the region and prompted calls for stricter building standards. International support and donations poured in to assist affected communities in recovering from the devastation.