Today In History
On The Way To Today... April 22nd
1500 - Portuguese navigator Pedro Alvares Cabral, on a voyage to
India, sailed far to the southwest and discovered Brazil, claiming it
for Portugal. The land was first visited earlier in the year by a
Spaniard, Vicente Yanes Pinzon, but he failed to claim it for Spain.
1529 - The Treaty of Saragossa was signed, dividing Spanish and
Portuguese interests in the Pacific Ocean. Portugal regained control
of the Moluccas in return for compensation.
1793 - United States President George Washington issued a Proclamation
of Neutrality to ensure that the United States did not become involved
in the war between France and Britain.
1834 - The Quadruple Alliance was formed between Britain, France,
Portugal and Spain, supporting Isabella II's claim to the Spanish
throne against Don Carlos.
1838 - The British steamship Sirius became the first to cross the
Atlantic from Britain to New York on steam power only. The journey
from Cork to New York took 18 days 10 hours.
1864 - The United States Congress mandated all coins minted as United
1889 - At noon today, a gunshot signaled the start of the Oklahoma
Land Rush; as thousands of potential settlers rushed into Oklahoma
Territory to stake claims. Under pressure from the cattle ranchers,
the United States government purchased 1.9 million acres of land from
the Creek and Seminole Native American tribes, making the land
available to settlers.
1915 - The second battle of Ypres started when German troops released
clouds of deadly chlorine gas on British troops; it was the first
major gas attack of World War I.
1931 - An autogyro landed on the lawn of the White House. Before the
Secret Service react, President Herbert Hoover came out and shook
hands with pilot, James G. Ray, and gave him a trophy.
1944 - Allied forces landed on Dutch New Guinea at Hollandia in World
War II.
1945 - General MacArthur announced that Cebu Island's capture had
ended the Central Philippines campaign.
1964 - Greville Wynn, British businessman imprisoned in Moscow in 1963
for spying was exchanged for Gordon Lonsdale, in prison in London.
1969 - British lone yachtsman Robin Knox-Johnston arrived at Falmouth
after completing the first solo nonstop circumnavigation of the Earth
in just 312 days.
the vernal equinox.
1983 - Called by many "The Father of Modern Jazz Piano," Earl "Fatha"
Hines died at age 77 in Oakland, California.
1983 - Australia expelled the First Secretary of the Soviet Embassy,
Valery Ivanov.
1984 - Britain broke off diplomatic relations with Libya and ordered
all Libyan embassy staff to leave within seven days.
1984 - Photography legend Ansel Adams died in Carmel, California, at
age 82.
1985 - Washington and Lee University researchers said Martha
Washington owned 29,650 pounds when she married George. At the time
the Washingtons were married, 29,650 pounds was worth $5.9 million.
1990 - A United States hostage in Lebanon, Robert Polhill, was
released; he had been held since January 24, 1987.
1990 - Nigeria's ruling generals crushed a six-hour rebellion by
junior officers.
1992 - A series of underground gas explosions tore apart a
working-class neighborhood in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, killing
some 200 people.
1994 - Former United States president Richard Nixon died at age 81. He
was the 37th president of the United States from 1969 until his
resignation in 1974 amid the Watergate scandal.
1995 - The Tutsi-dominated Rwandan army opened fire on Hutu refugees
in the Kibeho refugee camp; death toll reports varied from 300 to
2000.
1996 - America's most beloved humorist, Erma Bombeck died in San
Francisco, California at age 69 following complications from a recent
kidney transplant. Bombeck's many books on parenthood and housework
were bestsellers, and several were turned into screenplays.
1997 - Peruvian troops stormed the Japanese ambassador's residence in
Lima, freeing 71 hostages. One hostage, three soldiers and all 14
guerrillas were killed.
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