Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
March 22 Sunday, March 22, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 22 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
4
Holidays
1939
War 87 years ago
Germany takes Memel from Lithuania.
Germany annexes the Klaipėda Region (Memel) from Lithuania, reclaiming territory lost after World War I.
History
What happened on March 22
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 106World history
Start of the Bostran era, the calendar of the province of Arabia Petraea.
The Bostran era begins, marking time according to the calendar used in the Roman province of Arabia Petraea.
- 235World history
Roman emperor Severus Alexander is murdered, marking the start of the Crisis of the Third Century.
Severus Alexander is killed, triggering the Crisis of the Third Century.
- 871UK history
Æthelred of Wessex is defeated by a Danish invasion army at the Battle of Marton.
Æthelred of Wessex suffers defeat at the Battle of Marton against a Danish invasion army.
- 1185War
Battle of Yashima: the Japanese forces of the Taira clan are defeated by the Minamoto clan.
The Taira clan is defeated by the Minamoto clan in the Battle of Yashima.
- 1312Religion
Vox in excelso: Pope Clement V dissolves the Order of the Knights Templar.
Pope Clement V issues Vox in excelso, dissolving the Order of the Knights Templar.
- 1508Royalty
Ferdinand II of Aragon commissions Amerigo Vespucci chief navigator of the Spanish Empire.
Ferdinand II of Aragon appoints Amerigo Vespucci as chief navigator for Spanish explorations.
- 1631US history
The Massachusetts Bay Colony outlaws the possession of cards, dice, and gaming tables.
The Massachusetts Bay Colony bans the possession of cards, dice, and gaming tables to discourage gambling.
- 1668European history
Notable Privateer Henry Morgan lands in Cuba to raid and plunder the inland town of Puerto del Príncipe during the latter stages of the Anglo-Spanish War (1654-1660).
Henry Morgan raids and plunders Puerto del Príncipe in Cuba during the Anglo-Spanish War.
- 1739World history
Nader Shah occupies Delhi in India and sacks the city, stealing the jewels of the Peacock Throne.
Nader Shah conquers Delhi, looting the city and taking the jewels from the Peacock Throne.
- 1765UK history
The British Parliament passes the Stamp Act that introduces a tax to be levied directly on its American colonies.
The British Parliament enacts the Stamp Act, imposing the first direct tax on the American colonies and igniting colonial resistance.
- 1894Sports
The Stanley Cup ice hockey competition is held for the first time, in Montreal, Canada.
The Stanley Cup competition is held for the first time in Montreal.
- 1939War
Germany takes Memel from Lithuania.
Germany annexes the Klaipėda Region (Memel) from Lithuania, reclaiming territory lost after World War I.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 22
7 this date All birthdays
John Stanley
American author and illustrator
John Stanley, the American cartoonist and comic book writer best known for his Little Lulu stories from 1945 to 1959, was born today in 1914.
Born
1914
Died
1993
Thomas de Mowbray
1st Duke of Norfolk, English politician, Earl Marshal (probable);
1367 – 1399
Katherine Jones
Viscountess Ranelagh, British scientist
1615 – 1691
Anastassios Christomanos
Greek scientist
1841 – 1906
Lew Wasserman
American businessman and talent agent
1913 – 2002
Ron Carey
American trade union leader
1936 – 2008
Dave Keon
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1940 · 86
Music
The number one songs on March 22
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on March 22, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport March 22, 1997
Tara Lipinski, aged 14 years and nine months, becomes the youngest women's World Figure Skating Champion.
Tara Lipinski becomes the youngest women's World Figure Skating Champion at age 14 years and nine months.
Read the story
🔬 Science March 22, 1960
Arthur Leonard Schawlow and Charles Hard Townes receive the first patent for a laser.
Arthur Leonard Schawlow and Charles Hard Townes receive the first laser patent.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
Bihar Day (Bihar, India)
International
Bihar Day is observed every year on 22 March, marking the formation of the state of Bihar
Earliest day on which Easter Sunday can fall (last in 1818, will not happen again until 2285), while April 25 is the latest. (Christianity)
International
Easter, also called Pasch or Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the Bible's New Testament a
Emancipation Day or Día de la Abolición de la Esclavitud (Puerto Rico)
International
Emancipation Day is observed in many former European colonies in the West Indies and parts of the United States on various dates to commemorate the emancipation of slaves of African descent
World Water Day (International)
International
World Water Day is an annual United Nations (UN) observance day held on 22 March that highlights the importance of fresh water