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
October 22 Thursday, October 22, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 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
2
Holidays
2014
Canadian history 12 years ago
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau attacks the Parliament of Canada, killing a soldier and injuring three other people.
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau attacks Parliament Hill in Ottawa, fatally shooting Corporal Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial before being killed inside the Centre Block.
History
What happened on October 22
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -2137Science
A solar eclipse occurs over China, one of the earliest recorded in human history, reportedly resulting in the executions of two astronomers who failed to predict it.
According to ancient Chinese records, two court astronomers were executed for failing to predict a solar eclipse, though the historical accuracy of this account remains debated.
- 451Religion
The Chalcedonian Creed, regarding the divine and human nature of Jesus, is adopted by the Council of Chalcedon, an ecumenical council.
The Council of Chalcedon adopts the Chalcedonian Creed, defining Jesus as having both divine and human natures.
- 794Japanese history
Japanese Emperor Kanmu relocates his empire's capital to Heian-kyō (now Kyoto).
Japanese Emperor Kanmu moves the capital to Heian-kyō, establishing what becomes Kyoto.
- 906War
Abbasid general Ahmad ibn Kayghalagh leads a raid against the Byzantine Empire, taking 4,000-5,000 captives.
Ahmad ibn Kayghalagh leads an Abbasid raid against the Byzantine Empire, capturing 4,000 to 5,000 people.
- 1383Royalty
The male line of the Portuguese House of Burgundy becomes extinct with the death of King Fernando, leaving only his daughter Beatrice. Rival claimants begin a period of civil war and disorder.
King Fernando's death ends the male line of Portugal's House of Burgundy, sparking civil war among rival claimants.
- 1724Culture
J. S. Bach leads the first performance of Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (Adorn yourself, O dear soul) in Leipzig on the 20th Sunday after Trinity, based on the communion hymn of the same name.
Johann Sebastian Bach leads the first performance of "Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" in Leipzig.
- 1777War
American Revolutionary War: American defenders of Fort Mercer on the Delaware River repulse repeated Hessian attacks in the Battle of Red Bank.
American defenders at Fort Mercer repel multiple assaults by Hessian forces during the Battle of Red Bank.
- 1879Technology
Using a filament of carbonized thread, Thomas Edison tests the first practical electric incandescent light bulb; the bulb lasted 131⁄2 hours before burning out.
Thomas Edison tests his first practical electric incandescent light bulb using a carbonized thread filament, which lasts 13.5 hours.
- 1884Science
The International Meridian Conference designates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich as the world's prime meridian.
The International Meridian Conference establishes the Royal Observatory, Greenwich as the prime meridian, creating a global standard for longitude and time zones.
- 1992Technology
Space Shuttle Columbia launches on STS-52 to deploy the LAGEOS-2 satellite and microgravity experiments.
The Space Shuttle Columbia lifts off with a mission to deploy the LAGEOS-2 satellite and conduct microgravity experiments.
- 1999WWII
Maurice Papon, an official in the Vichy government during World War II, is jailed for crimes against humanity.
Maurice Papon is jailed for his role in Vichy France's collaboration with Nazi Germany during World War II.
- 2014Canadian history
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau attacks the Parliament of Canada, killing a soldier and injuring three other people.
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau attacks Parliament Hill in Ottawa, fatally shooting Corporal Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial before being killed inside the Centre Block.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 22
7 this date All birthdays
Alejandro Kuropatwa
Argentine photographer
Alejandro Kuropatwa was an Argentine photographer known for his portraits of rock stars and referred to as the "Argentine Andy Warhol."
Born
1956
Died
2003
Collis Potter Huntington
American businessman
1821 – 1900
Lord Alfred Douglas
English author and poet
1870 – 1945
N. C. Wyeth
American painter and illustrator
1882 – 1945
TobyMac
American singer-songwriter and producer
b. 1964 · 62
Kara Lang
Canadian soccer player
b. 1986 · 40
Roddy Ricch
American rapper
b. 1998 · 28
Music
The number one songs on October 22
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 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 October 22, 2012
Cyclist Lance Armstrong is formally stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after being charged for doping.
Lance Armstrong is formally stripped of his seven Tour de France titles following doping charges.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 22, 1975
The Soviet uncrewed space mission Venera 9 lands on Venus.
Venera 9 becomes the first spacecraft to land on Venus and transmit photographs from its surface.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
International Stuttering Awareness Day
International
International Stuttering Awareness Day (ISAD), or International Stammering Awareness Day, is an annual celebration held on October 22
Jidai Matsuri (Kyoto, Japan)
International
The Jidai Matsuri is a traditional Japanese festival held annually on October 22 in Kyoto, Japan