December 22: What Happened on This Day in History

• 2021: In a controversial move, the University of Hong Kong removed the Pillar of Shame, a significant memorial sculpture commemorating the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. This action symbolizes ongoing tensions between academic institutions and political sensitivities surrounding historical remembrance of human rights events in China.
• 2014: In response to ongoing terrorist threats, Pakistan announced plans to execute 500 terrorists within weeks, lifting its moratorium on terror-related death penalty cases following the Peshawar school massacre.
• 2011: A devastating 16-bomb attack in Baghdad resulted in at least 72 fatalities and 169 injuries, occurring shortly after the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq.
• 2004: A major armed robbery occurred at the headquarters of the Northern Bank in Belfast, with over £22 million sterling stolen. Unionist politicians and the Police Service of Northern Ireland attributed the theft to the Provisional Irish Republican Army, which significantly disrupted the ongoing peace process in Northern Ireland.
• 2002: Joe Strummer, iconic British musician and lead singer of the influential punk rock band The Clash, passed away at the age of 50. Known for his powerful musical and political activism, Strummer was a pivotal figure in the punk movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
• 1999: The Spanish Civil Guard discovered a van loaded with 750 kg of explosives near Calatayud, Zaragoza, linked to the terrorist organization ETA. This find was part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts against the separatist group during a period of heightened security tensions in Spain.
• 1998: Michelle Thomas, a talented African American actress known for her roles in television sitcoms, passed away. She was best known for her appearances in 'The Cosby Show' and 'Family Matters', where she played memorable characters that resonated with audiences during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
• 1995: Bill Cottrell, a long-serving cameraman at Walt Disney Company, was recognized for his remarkable 50-year career in animation. A key contributor to the development of Disneyland, Cottrell played a significant role in the park's planning and construction. His dedication and contributions were formally acknowledged when he was named a Disney Legend in 1994, highlighting his substantial impact on the company's history and animation industry.
• 1988: Chico Mendes, a prominent Brazilian rubber tapper, union leader, and environmental activist, was assassinated. His murder highlighted the ongoing conflicts between environmental conservationists and powerful landowners in the Amazon rainforest. Mendes was a key figure in protecting the Amazon and advocating for the rights of forest communities.
• 1981: General Leopoldo Galtieri was sworn in as president of Argentina, marking a significant moment in the country's military-led political landscape during the early 1980s.

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December 22nd marks the 356th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 357th in case of leap years).

There are 9 days remaining until the end of the year.

December 22nd is the 22nd day of the month of December.

What day of the week is December 22?

On December 22nd, 2025 the day of the week is Monday.

Holidays and Observances on December 22

The zodiac sign associated with December 22nd is Capricorn according to the Western Zodiac.

More about December 22 zodiac

What is special about the Capricorn sign?

• Capricorn personality traits and attitude
• Capricorn most and least compatible signs
• Why December born are so special