1686day.year
Albany, New York is formally chartered as a municipality by Governor Thomas Dongan.
Albany, New York is formally chartered as a municipality by Governor Thomas Dongan, establishing its local government structure.
In 1686, Governor Thomas Dongan of the Province of New York issued a royal charter formally establishing Albany as a municipality. The charter granted the city rights to self-governance, including electing officials and managing local affairs. Albany's strategic position on the Hudson River made it a key hub for trade among British colonies. The municipal framework laid down by Dongan provided stability and civic order for settlers in the region. This formal recognition elevated Albany's status and spurred growth, setting the stage for its eventual role as the capital of New York State.
1686
Albany, New York
Thomas Dongan
1706day.year
The Acts of Union 1707 are agreed upon by commissioners from the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland, which, when passed by each country's Parliament, leads to the creation of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
English and Scottish commissioners agree on the Acts of Union, setting the stage for the creation of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
On July 22, 1706, commissioners from the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland reached agreement on the text of the Acts of Union. The proposed legislation aimed to merge two separate parliaments into a single Parliament of Great Britain. Key discussions addressed representation, trade rights, and the preservation of Scottish legal and religious institutions. Once ratified by both parliaments, the union officially took effect on May 1, 1707. This political union reshaped the British Isles, strengthening the kingdom’s global influence and laying foundations for modern governance and economic integration.
1706
Acts of Union 1707
Kingdom of England
Kingdom of Scotland
Kingdom of Great Britain
1802day.year
Emperor Gia Long conquers Hanoi and unified Viet Nam, which had experienced centuries of feudal warfare.
Emperor Gia Long captures Hanoi, completing the unification of Vietnam after centuries of feudal conflict.
On July 22, 1802, Nguyen Anh, who took the name Emperor Gia Long, seized Hanoi and proclaimed the reunification of Vietnam. This victory ended decades of civil war among rival dynasties and regional warlords. Gia Long centralized authority by reorganizing the administration along Confucian principles and implementing significant reforms. He established the Nguyễn Dynasty and moved the imperial capital to Huế, which would remain Vietnam’s seat of power for over a century. The unification under Gia Long brought relative stability and opened the nation to increased foreign trade, laying foundations for the modern Vietnamese state.
1802
Gia Long
Hanoi
Viet Nam
1833day.year
The Slavery Abolition Act passes in the British House of Commons, initiating the gradual abolition of slavery in most parts of the British Empire.
On July 22, 1833, the British House of Commons approved the Slavery Abolition Act, initiating the gradual end of slavery across the British Empire.
On July 22, 1833, the British House of Commons approved the Slavery Abolition Act. This landmark law set in motion the gradual emancipation of enslaved people across most British territories, culminating in full abolition by 1838. It included provisions for compensating former slave owners and establishing support funds for freed individuals. The Act represented a monumental shift in British policy and human rights, inspiring abolitionist movements worldwide. Observing this milestone highlights the enduring struggle for freedom and justice.
1833
Slavery Abolition Act
British House of Commons
slavery
British Empire
1937day.year
New Deal: The United States Senate votes down President Franklin D. Roosevelt's proposal to add more justices to the Supreme Court of the United States.
On July 22, 1937, the U.S. Senate rejected President Franklin D. Roosevelt's proposal to expand the Supreme Court by adding more justices.
Frustrated by Supreme Court rulings against New Deal legislation, President Roosevelt proposed in 1937 to add six new justices to the bench. Critics lambasted the plan as an overreach threatening judicial independence. When the Senate voted down the proposal on July 22, it marked a significant rebuke of the president's court-packing scheme. The defeat preserved the Court's structure and underscored the constitutional checks and balances system. The episode remains a landmark in U.S. political history, illustrating the limits of executive power and the resilience of separation of powers.
1937
New Deal
United States Senate
Franklin D. Roosevelt
add more justices
Supreme Court of the United States
1942day.year
The United States government begins compulsory civilian gasoline rationing due to the wartime demands.
In 1942, the U.S. government initiated mandatory gasoline rationing for civilians to support the war effort during World War II.
With global conflicts raging in 1942, the United States introduced compulsory gasoline rationing on July 22 to conserve fuel for military operations. Citizens received ration books and coupons limiting nonessential travel and prioritizing critical wartime needs. The policy required widespread public cooperation, leading to increased carpooling, reliance on public transportation, and local conservation campaigns. Rationing helped ensure that supplies reached troops overseas while managing domestic shortages. Reflecting on this era highlights how civilian life adapted to the demands of total war and collective sacrifice.
1942
gasoline
rationing
1944day.year
The Polish Committee of National Liberation publishes its manifesto, starting the period of Communist rule in Poland.
The Polish Committee of National Liberation issues its manifesto on July 22, 1944, initiating Communist governance in Poland.
On July 22, 1944, the Soviet-backed Polish Committee of National Liberation published a manifesto establishing itself as the provisional government of Poland. The document laid out plans for land reform, nationalization of key industries, and alliance with the Soviet Union. This event marked the beginning of communist rule that would last until 1989. It sidelined the London-based Polish government-in-exile and reshaped postwar political dynamics. The manifesto's anniversary was later celebrated as a national holiday by the communist regime. Its legacy remains controversial, reflecting both social reforms and authoritarian control. The period following the manifesto saw significant shifts in Poland's borders, society, and alignment within the Eastern Bloc.
1944
Polish Committee of National Liberation
manifesto
Communist rule in Poland
1963day.year
Crown Colony of Sarawak gains self-governance.
Sarawak gains self-governance from British rule on July 22, 1963.
On July 22, 1963, the Crown Colony of Sarawak in Borneo achieved self-governance under British colonial administration. The transition granted Sarawakians the authority to elect their own legislative council and manage internal affairs. Anthony Brooke, the last British governor, handed power to local leaders, paving the way for full independence. This milestone preceded Sarawak's entry into the Federation of Malaysia later that year. Self-governance fostered the development of local institutions, education systems, and cultural preservation efforts. The event remains a foundational moment in Sarawak's political history and national identity.
1963
Crown Colony of Sarawak
self-governance
1976day.year
Japan completes its last reparation to the Philippines for war crimes committed during imperial Japan's conquest of the country in the Second World War.
Japan completes its final war reparations to the Philippines on July 22, 1976.
On July 22, 1976, Japan made the last installment of reparations to the Philippines for wartime damages incurred during World War II. The payments concluded a series of treaties and agreements aimed at reconciliation and economic compensation. Total reparations amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars, funding infrastructure projects and cultural exchanges. The settlement helped normalize diplomatic relations between Tokyo and Manila. While some critics argued reparations were insufficient, the agreement symbolized a step toward healing war-time wounds. The event continues to influence Japan–Philippines relations and regional cooperation in Asia.
1976
Philippines
imperial Japan's conquest of the country in the Second World War
1977day.year
Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping is restored to power.
Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping is reinstated to the Communist Party leadership, ending his political exile.
In 1977, Deng Xiaoping was officially reinstated to the Chinese Communist Party's leadership after being purged during the Cultural Revolution.
He had previously been removed from power and forced into political exile, but regained support from party moderates.
His return marked a shift towards pragmatic economic reforms, prioritizing modernization and opening China to foreign investment.
Deng introduced policies that dismantled collectivized agriculture and promoted the household responsibility system.
His leadership laid the foundation for China's rapid economic growth and transformation in the following decades.
His restoration also signaled the decline of radical ideological campaigns and the rise of a more pragmatic governance style.
1977
Deng Xiaoping
1983day.year
Martial law in Poland is officially revoked.
Poland formally lifts martial law in 1983, ending nearly two years of military rule.
In December 1981, Polish leader General Wojciech Jaruzelski imposed martial law to suppress the Solidarity movement.
After nearly two years of curfews, censorship, and arrests, the government formally revoked martial law in July 1983.
Thousands of political prisoners were released and restrictions on the press and gatherings were eased.
The revocation marked a turning point in Poland's struggle for political liberalization and human rights.
It paved the way for the resurgence of Solidarity and set the stage for democratic reforms later in the decade.
This decision resonated across Eastern Europe as a symbol of weakening Soviet influence.
1983
Martial law in Poland