Major Events of April 1922: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from April 1922 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of April 1922: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Apr 1922 Death of Charles IV of Hungary and Last Habsburg Emperor: Charles IV, the last Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, died in exile, marking the end of the Habsburg monarchy's centuries-long rule. His death symbolized the profound political transformation following World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
- 03 Apr 1922 Stalin Becomes Communist Party General Secretary: Joseph Stalin is appointed as the first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, a pivotal moment in Soviet political history that would ultimately lead to his rise to supreme power.
- 04 Apr 1922 Deadly Bomb Attack in Budapest: A tragic terrorist bombing occurred during a dinner for members of Hungary's 'Democratic Club' in Budapest, resulting in eight fatalities. This violent incident highlighted the political tensions and instability in post-World War I Hungary.
- 05 Apr 1922 Establishment of the American Birth Control League: The American Birth Control League, a pioneering organization advocating for reproductive rights and family planning, was officially incorporated. This organization would later evolve into the modern Planned Parenthood Federation of America, playing a crucial role in women's healthcare and reproductive freedom.
- 06 Apr 1922 German Reichstag Approves Women Jury Service: In a significant step towards gender equality, the German Reichstag passed a landmark bill allowing women to serve as lay judges and jurors for the first time. This legislative change represented an important milestone in women's rights and participation in the judicial system during the Weimar Republic period.
- 07 Apr 1922 Teapot Dome Scandal: Major Political Corruption Revelation: United States Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall leased federal petroleum reserves to private oil companies under highly suspicious and excessively generous terms, marking a significant moment of government corruption during the Harding administration. Fall secretly accepted bribes from oil company executives in exchange for lucrative no-bid contracts, which would later lead to criminal prosecution and become a landmark case of political misconduct.
- 08 Apr 1922 Birth of Jazz Singer Carmen McRae: Carmen McRae, a renowned American jazz singer, was born on April 8, 1922. She would go on to become one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, known for her distinctive interpretive style and profound musical artistry. McRae's career spanned several decades, during which she collaborated with numerous jazz legends and recorded numerous critically acclaimed albums before her passing in 1994.
- 09 Apr 1922 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Spiritualism Lecture Tour in the United States: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, renowned author of the Sherlock Holmes series, arrived in New York aboard the White Star liner Baltic to embark on a significant lecture tour focused on spiritualism. During his arrival press conference, he boldly proclaimed his deep personal conviction in life after death, stating that he had communicated with 20 deceased individuals, including his son, with his wife and other witnesses present. This tour was part of Doyle's passionate advocacy for spiritualism, a movement that gained considerable popularity in the early 20th century as people sought solace and understanding about the afterlife in the wake of massive losses from World War I.
- 10 Apr 1922 Genoa Conference of 1922: The historic Genoa Conference commenced, bringing together representatives from 34 countries to discuss critical monetary economics and financial reconstruction in the aftermath of World War I. The conference aimed to address the severe economic challenges facing European nations, including war reparations, international trade, and monetary stabilization.
- 11 Apr 1922 Genoa Conference Begins: A pivotal international economic conference commenced, bringing together representatives from 34 countries to address global economic challenges in the post-World War I era. This conference was particularly notable for marking the first diplomatic appearance of Soviet Russia on the international stage, signaling a significant shift in global political dynamics.
- 12 Apr 1922 First Zhili–Fengtian War Erupts in China: A significant internal conflict begins between two major political-military factions in China, with each side commanding over 100,000 troops. This war represents a critical moment in the ongoing power struggles during the warlord era of Republican China, highlighting the fragmented political landscape of the early 1920s.
- 13 Apr 1922 Massachusetts Grants Women Equal Public Office Access: The State of Massachusetts made a significant progressive step by opening all public offices to women, marking an important milestone in women's political representation and rights.
- 14 Apr 1922 Irish Republican Forces Occupy Dublin Four Courts: On April 14, 1922, Republican rebels seized control of four government courts in Dublin, marking a significant escalation in the Irish Civil War tensions. This strategic occupation represented a direct challenge to the newly established Irish Free State government and highlighted the deep divisions within the Irish independence movement following the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
- 15 Apr 1922 Insulin Discovery Breakthrough: Canadian researchers Frederick Banting, Charles Best, and John MacLeod make a groundbreaking medical discovery by successfully isolating insulin, a critical hormone for treating diabetes and revolutionizing medical treatment for millions of people worldwide.
- 16 Apr 1922 Lincoln Memorial Dedication: The Lincoln Memorial was officially dedicated in Washington, D.C., honoring the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. This iconic monument, designed by Henry Bacon, symbolizes national unity and commemorates Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War and his role in abolishing slavery.
- 17 Apr 1922 Clarence DeMar Wins Boston Marathon: Clarence DeMar, a legendary long-distance runner, secured victory in the 26th Boston Marathon on April 17, 1922. Known for his remarkable endurance and consistency, DeMar would go on to win the prestigious race a record seven times throughout his career, cementing his status as one of the most accomplished marathon runners of the early 20th century.
- 18 Apr 1922 Netherlands Defeats Denmark in International Soccer Match: On April 18, 1922, the Netherlands national soccer team secured a decisive 2-0 victory against Denmark in an international football match. This game demonstrated the Netherlands' growing prowess in early 20th-century European soccer, highlighting the team's strategic play and competitive spirit.
- 19 Apr 1922 Clarence DeMar Wins Boston Marathon: Clarence DeMar of Massachusetts won the 26th Boston Marathon with an impressive time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 10 seconds. This victory further solidified DeMar's reputation as a prominent long-distance runner of the early 20th century.
- 20 Apr 1922 Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill Passes House: The House of Representatives passed the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill on April 20, 1922, which was a significant legislative attempt to make lynching a federal crime and provide legal protections for African Americans against racial violence during the Jim Crow era.
- 21 Apr 1922 Birth of Alistair MacLean: Alistair MacLean, renowned Scottish novelist famous for adventure and thriller novels like 'The Guns of Navarone' and 'Where Eagles Dare', is born. He would become one of the most successful writers of his genre in the mid-20th century.
- 22 Apr 1922 Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Chartered: The Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority was chartered in New York State, representing a significant milestone for African American collegiate women's organizational representation and empowerment during the early 1920s.
- 24 Apr 1922 Imperial Wireless Chain Connects England and Egypt: A significant milestone in global communication was achieved on April 24, 1922, with the first operational segment of the Imperial Wireless Chain. This groundbreaking telecommunications infrastructure established wireless telegraphy connectivity between Leafield, Oxfordshire in England and Cairo, Egypt, representing a major advancement in long-distance communication technology during the early 20th century.
- 26 Apr 1922 Jeanne Sauvé: First Female Governor General of Canada: Jeanne Sauvé became a pioneering figure in Canadian political history as the first woman to serve as Governor General of Canada, holding the prestigious position from 1984 to 1990. Her appointment was a significant milestone for gender representation in high-level governmental roles.
- 27 Apr 1922 Dr. Mabuse Film Premiere: Fritz Lang's groundbreaking silent film 'Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler' (Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler) premiered in Berlin. This influential expressionist film would become a landmark in German cinema and help establish Lang's reputation as a pioneering filmmaker.
- 28 Apr 1922 First Licensed Educational Radio Station in the United States: WOI, located in Ames, Iowa, became the country's first licensed educational radio station, marking a significant milestone in the development of educational broadcasting in the United States. This pioneering station would help pave the way for future educational media and distance learning technologies.
- 29 Apr 1922 First International Weightlifting Federation Championship: The inaugural official International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Championship was held in Tallinn, Estonia, marking a significant milestone in the standardization and international recognition of weightlifting as a competitive sport. This event represented a crucial moment in establishing global rules, standards, and competitive frameworks for weightlifting athletes.
- 30 Apr 1922 Charles Robertson's Perfect Game in Baseball: On April 30, 1922, Chicago White Sox pitcher Charles Robertson achieved a rare perfect game against the Detroit Tigers, winning 2-0. This remarkable feat in baseball history represents an exceptional moment of pitching excellence, where Robertson retired all 27 batters he faced without allowing a single baserunner.