November 22

On November 22, 1855, Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, ceremonially laid the foundation stone of the Birmingham and Midland Institute. Established to advance science, literature, and the arts, the institute embodied Victorian ideals of self-improvement and public education. It offered lecture halls, libraries, and laboratories accessible to citizens of Birmingham and the surrounding Midlands. The project reflected broader efforts to address social challenges brought by rapid industrialization. Over the decades, the institute became a vibrant center for intellectual exchange, technical training, and community events. Its legacy persists in modern cultural and educational institutions across the city.

On November 22, 1987, an unidentified hacker hijacked two television stations in Chicago, inserting a pirate broadcast featuring the character Max Headroom. The intruder overpowered the technical feed, displaying a bizarre, distorted video that lasted several minutes before the stations regained control. Despite investigations by the FBI and local authorities, the perpetrator was never caught. The incident remains one of the most infamous signal hijackings in television history. It raised concerns about broadcast security and led to changes in how stations monitor and protect their transmission equipment.

On November 22, 2014, Cleveland police received a 911 call reporting a juvenile brandishing a pistol at a park. Within seconds of arriving, an officer shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was in possession of a toy airsoft gun. The fatal encounter ignited national debate over police use of force, particularly against Black youth. Critics decried the lack of adequate warnings and the rapid escalation to deadly force. Investigations and legal proceedings failed to bring criminal charges against the officer, fueling protests. Tamir Rice's death became a rallying point for the Black Lives Matter movement and calls for police reform.