May 22: What Happened on This Day in History
May 22nd marks the 142nd day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 143rd in case of leap years). There are 223 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 22nd in history, famous birthdays on May 22nd, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 22.
What happened on May 22?
Here's what happened on May 22nd in history:
- 2022: On May 22, 2022, no major global events were recorded in primary historical sources. While daily life continued around the world, no singular significant political, cultural, scientific, or social milestone was prominently documented for this specific date.
- 2017: The Atlantic magazine published "My Family's Slave", a controversial article about the Filipino servant caste that sparked intense debates in both the Philippines and the United States about historical labor practices and cultural dynamics.
- 2016: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that over 60,000 people were killed in government prisons during Syria's five-year civil war, revealing the extreme human rights violations and humanitarian crisis in the conflict.
- 2012: The Massachusetts Securities Division subpoenas Morgan Stanley to investigate potential improprieties in the firm's analyst communications with institutional investors prior to the Facebook initial public offering.
- 2009: Dr. Manmohan Singh was sworn in as Prime Minister of India, marking the continuation of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in a significant democratic transition.
- 2005: Thurl Ravenscroft passed away from cancer in the United States. A legendary voice actor known for his distinctive voice in movies, TV commercials, and Disneyland attractions. He was famous for voicing Tony the Tiger with his signature catchphrase "They're grrrrreat!" and singing "You're a Mean One, Mister Grinch" with the Johnny Mann Singers. He was named a Disney Legend in 1995.
- 2003: Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Sheffield Winter Gardens, a modern architectural landmark and botanical space in the city of Sheffield, marking a significant cultural and urban development moment.
- 1980: Actors and television personalities Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue get married, forming a high-profile union of two influential media figures known for their progressive social views and entertainment careers.
- 1979: In a significant political shift, Canadians elected the Conservative Party, with Joseph Clark succeeding Pierre Trudeau as Prime Minister. This marked a notable transition in Canadian federal leadership.
- 1974: The United States conducted a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site, continuing its Cold War-era nuclear weapons research and development program. These tests were part of ongoing efforts to maintain and advance nuclear capabilities during a tense period of international relations.
What famous birthdays are on May 22?
On May 22nd there are the following famous birthdays:
![Charles Aznavour]()
Charles Aznavour (1924)Legendary French-Armenian singer, songwriter, and actor known for his distinctive raspy voice and prolific musical career.
![Naomi Campbell]()
Naomi Campbell (1970)Iconic supermodel who broke racial barriers in the fashion industry, becoming the first Black model to cover French and British Vogue.
![Bharat Gopy]()
Bharat Gopy (1937)Prominent Malayalam cinema actor who significantly contributed to Indian film art through critically acclaimed performances across multiple...
![Susan Strasberg]()
Susan Strasberg (1938)Renowned actress and daughter of acting teacher Lee Strasberg, she made her film debut in 1954 and famously portrayed Anne Frank on stage.
![Barbara Parkins]()
Barbara Parkins (1942)Canadian actress known for her roles in 'Peyton Place' and the psychological thriller 'Asylum', a prominent television and film actress of...
![Johnny Gill]()
Johnny Gill (1966)Johnny Gill is a prominent R&B singer known for his successful solo career and as a key member of the influential group New Edition.
![Paul Winfield]()
Paul Winfield (1939)Acclaimed African American actor known for roles in films like 'Sounder' and television series, who received Emmy and Oscar nominations...
![Nedumudi Venu]()
Nedumudi Venu (1948)Renowned Malayalam film actor and screenwriter who was a significant figure in Indian cinema, known for his versatile performances across...
![Michael Constantine]()
Michael Constantine (1927)Renowned Greek-American actor known for his roles in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and numerous television and film appearances.
![George Best]()
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on May 22?
On May 22nd the following celebrities died:
![John Derek]()
John Derek (1998)American actor and director who rose to prominence after his 1944 film debut and was named the 'most popular find of 1949'.
![Rocky Graziano]()
Rocky Graziano (1990)Rocky Graziano was a famous middleweight boxing champion who later became an actor, known for his tough life story and successful boxing...
![Margaret Rutherford]()
![Joan Davis]()
- Philip Roth (2018)
Philip Roth was an acclaimed American novelist considered one of the most significant literary voices of the 20th century, known for his...
- Langston Hughes (1967)
Langston Hughes was a pioneering African American poet, novelist, and playwright who played a crucial role in the Harlem Renaissance.
- Alfred Hershey (1997)
Renowned American geneticist who, along with Martha Chase, conducted the groundbreaking Hershey-Chase experiment that conclusively...
- Lefty Grove (1975)
Legendary Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox, considered one of the greatest...
- Thurl Ravenscroft (2005)
Legendary voice actor known for iconic roles like Tony the Tiger and the voice of the Grinch song in 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'.
What day of the year is May 22?
May 22nd marks the 142nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 143rd in case of leap years).
There are 223 days remaining until the end of the year.
May 22nd is the 22nd day of the month of May.
What day of the week is May 22?
On May 22nd, 2025 the day of the week is Thursday.
| May | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
What zodiac sign is associated with the day May 22?
The zodiac sign associated with May 22nd is Gemini according to the Western Zodiac.
