July 22

In 1793, Scottish-Canadian fur trader and explorer Alexander Mackenzie achieved a historic feat by reaching the Pacific Ocean. Departing from Fort Chipewyan, he navigated rivers, mountain passes, and dense wilderness terrain. Facing unpredictable weather, challenging river crossings, and difficult terrain, Mackenzie and his small party persevered against immense odds. His successful expedition marked the first documented transcontinental crossing of North America from east to west. Mackenzie’s journey provided valuable geographic knowledge and preceded the Lewis and Clark expedition by nearly twelve years, securing his legacy in the history of exploration.

Fearing extradition to the United States, Pablo Escobar escaped from La Catedral, his luxurious prison, in July 1992. Constructed to his own specifications, the facility allowed him to continue his trafficking operations with minimal oversight. Escobar slipped away through a hidden tunnel, eluding Colombian security forces and U.S. agents. His escape reignited a violent manhunt that destabilized parts of Medellín and led to widespread shootouts. The incident underscored the challenges of confronting powerful narco-traffickers and pressured authorities to intensify their anti-drug strategies.

In the aftermath of the July 2005 London bombings, Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes was misidentified as a terrorist suspect. On July 22, 2005, armed officers trailed de Menezes onto a Tube train at Stockwell station and fatally shot him at close range. The incident sparked international outrage over police tactics and the use of deadly force. Official inquiries criticized communication errors and the absence of clear rules of engagement. De Menezes's death prompted reforms in counterterrorism operations and accountability measures within the Metropolitan Police.