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Major Events of December 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 December 1922 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of December 1922: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1922 Pilsudski Resigns as Polish State Chief Marshal: Józef Piłsudski, a pivotal figure in Polish politics and independence, stepped down from his role as Chief Marshal of Poland, marking a significant moment in the country's early post-World War I governance.
  • 02 Dec 1922 Uqair Protocol Redefines Middle Eastern Borders: The Uqair Protocol was signed at the Saudi fort of Uqair, establishing critical territorial boundaries between the Sultanate of Nejd (now part of Saudi Arabia), Iraq, and Kuwait. This significant geopolitical agreement dramatically reshaped the region's map, with Kuwait losing approximately two-thirds of its territory to Saudi Arabia and Iraq. A notable humanitarian aspect of the treaty was the creation of two 'neutral zones' of desert land, designed to accommodate the traditional nomadic lifestyle of Bedouin tribes who regularly traversed these territories.
  • 03 Dec 1922 First Successful Technicolor Movie Premiere: The first successful Technicolor movie, 'Tall of the Sea', was shown in New York City, marking a significant milestone in film color technology. This screening represented a breakthrough in cinematic visual representation, demonstrating the potential of color film technology.
  • 04 Dec 1922 Irish Free State Constitution Act Approved: The British House of Lords voted overwhelmingly to approve the Irish Free State Constitution Act 1922 during its third reading. Notably, Lord Carson, who had previously opposed home rule in 1914, was the sole dissenting voice, marking a significant moment in Irish-British political relations.
  • 05 Dec 1922 British Parliament Enacts Irish Free State Constitution Act: On December 5, 1922, the British Parliament officially enacted the Irish Free State Constitution Act, a pivotal legislative moment that legally sanctioned the new Constitution of the Irish Free State. This act marked a significant step in Ireland's journey towards self-governance and represented a major political transformation in the relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom.
  • 06 Dec 1922 Establishment of the Irish Free State: On December 6, 1922, the Irish Free State was officially established, marking a significant milestone in Irish history. George V became the monarch of the new state, with Tim Healy appointed as the first Governor-General and W. T. Cosgrave becoming the President of the Executive Council. This event followed the Anglo-Irish Treaty and represented a crucial step in Ireland's journey towards self-governance.
  • 07 Dec 1922 Northern Ireland Votes to Remain in United Kingdom: The Parliament of Northern Ireland votes decisively to remain a part of the United Kingdom, rejecting unification with Southern Ireland. This pivotal decision would have long-lasting implications for the political landscape of Ireland and the British Isles.
  • 08 Dec 1922 Irish Free State Executes IRA Leaders: In a significant and controversial moment during the Irish Civil War, the newly formed Irish Free State executed four prominent Irish Republican Army (IRA) leaders: Liam Mellows, Rory O'Connor, Joe McKelvey, and Dick Barrett. These executions occurred just two days after the establishment of the Irish Free State, highlighting the intense political tensions and conflict surrounding Ireland's independence and subsequent internal divisions.
  • 09 Dec 1922 Gabriel Narutowicz Becomes First President of Poland: Gabriel Narutowicz was elected as the first President of Poland by the National Assembly, marking a crucial moment in Poland's post-World War I restoration of independence. He was chosen with 289 votes, symbolizing a new era of democratic governance for the reestablished Polish state.
  • 10 Dec 1922 Nobel Prizes Awarded to Scientific Luminaries: On December 10, 1922, the Nobel Prizes were awarded to three remarkable scientists: Fridtjof Nansen, Niels Bohr, and Albert Einstein. These distinguished researchers were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to science, exploration, and understanding of the physical world.
  • 11 Dec 1922 Infamous Murder Trial at Old Bailey: The high-profile trial of Frederick Bywaters and Edith Thompson concluded at the Old Bailey in London. The pair were found guilty of murdering Thompson's husband and were both sentenced to death, a controversial case that highlighted complex issues of love, betrayal, and criminal justice in early 20th century England.
  • 12 Dec 1922 Racial Violence in Perry, Florida: Lynching of Charley Wright and Albert Young: On December 12, 1922, a horrific incident of racial violence occurred in Perry, Florida. A massive lynch mob of over 3,000 people intercepted the transport of two African-American prisoners suspected of murdering a white teacher on December 2. Charley Wright was subjected to a summary mock trial that same evening, after which he was brutally burned to death by the mob. The other prisoner, Albert Young, was initially placed in the custody of the Taylor County sheriff but was subsequently seized by a different mob and summarily executed by shooting. This event represents a stark example of the systemic racial injustice and extrajudicial violence prevalent in the early 20th-century American South.
  • 13 Dec 1922 Political Duel in Uruguay: A dramatic political confrontation occurred between Uruguay's President Baltasar Brum and his political rival Luis Alberto de Herrera, involving a duel with deadly weapons. This event highlights the intense political tensions and personal honor codes of early 20th-century Uruguayan politics.
  • 14 Dec 1922 DUPE - Germany's Economic Crisis Warning: British Prime Minister Bonar Law addressed the House of Commons, delivering a stark warning about Germany's imminent economic collapse in the aftermath of World War I and the Treaty of Versailles.
  • 15 Dec 1922 International Peace Congress in The Hague: The International Association for the Prevention of War (IVVV) convened a significant peace congress in The Hague, Netherlands, focusing on discussing and potentially mitigating forms of international conflict. Representatives from various nations gathered to explore diplomatic strategies aimed at preventing future wars and promoting peaceful resolution of international disputes.
  • 16 Dec 1922 Assassination of Polish President Gabriel Narutowicz: President Gabriel Narutowicz was assassinated by Eligiusz Niewiadomski at the Zacheta Gallery in Warsaw. This shocking event occurred just five days after Narutowicz took office, marking a tragic moment in early Polish democratic history. The assassination was politically motivated, reflecting the deep social and political tensions in Poland during this period.
  • 17 Dec 1922 British Troops Withdraw from Irish Free State: On December 17, 1922, the last British military forces completed their withdrawal from the newly established Irish Free State, marking a significant milestone in Ireland's journey towards independence. This event symbolized the end of centuries of British colonial presence and represented a crucial moment in the Irish independence movement following the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
  • 18 Dec 1922 Soviet Union Implements First Land Code: On December 18, 1922, the Soviet Union enacted its groundbreaking Land Code, a pivotal legal framework that fundamentally reshaped property ownership and land use regulations across the newly formed communist state. This comprehensive legislation established guidelines for both private and public property management, marking a significant transition in the Soviet approach to land rights following the Russian Revolution. The code was developed by the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and represented a critical step in implementing communist economic principles, redistributing land ownership, and centralizing property control under state management.
  • 19 Dec 1922 Tragic Fire at New York Naval Shipyard: A devastating fire broke out on the aircraft carrier Constellation (CVA-64) while under construction at the New York Naval Shipyard. The catastrophic incident resulted in 50 worker fatalities and 150 injuries, marking a significant industrial accident in naval shipbuilding history.
  • 20 Dec 1922 Formation of the Soviet Union: Fourteen Soviet republics formally unite to establish the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), marking a significant geopolitical transformation in Eastern Europe and setting the stage for a major global political entity that would shape 20th-century history.
  • 21 Dec 1922 Quiet Day in Global History: While no major historical events were prominently recorded for December 21, 1922, this date falls during an interesting period of global transition. The Soviet Union was formally established just a day earlier on December 30, 1922, marking a significant geopolitical transformation. The interwar period was characterized by significant political and social changes across Europe and the world.
  • 22 Dec 1922 First Official Press Viewing of Tutankhamen's Tomb: On December 22, 1922, a momentous archaeological event occurred when the first official press viewing of King Tutankhamen's tomb took place in Egypt. This marked a significant milestone in Egyptology, allowing journalists and scholars to witness the groundbreaking discovery made by Howard Carter just weeks earlier. The tomb, located in the Valley of the Kings, contained unprecedented archaeological treasures that would revolutionize understanding of ancient Egyptian royal burial practices.
  • 23 Dec 1922 BBC Radio Launches Daily News Broadcasts: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) initiated its first daily radio news broadcasts, marking a revolutionary moment in mass media communication. This development would fundamentally transform how people consumed information, bringing real-time news directly into homes across the United Kingdom.
  • 24 Dec 1922 First British Radio Play Broadcast: On December 24, 1922, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) made history by transmitting the first British radio play, 'The Truth about Father Christmas'. This groundbreaking moment marked a significant milestone in the development of radio entertainment and broadcasting in the United Kingdom.
  • 25 Dec 1922 Lenin's Political Testament: Vladimir Lenin dictates his 'Political Testament', a critical document outlining his views on the leadership succession of the Soviet Union and expressing concerns about key party members, particularly Joseph Stalin.
  • 27 Dec 1922 First Purpose-Built Aircraft Carrier Commissioned: The Japanese aircraft carrier Hōshō was commissioned on December 27, 1922, marking a significant milestone in naval aviation history. This vessel represented a revolutionary design, purpose-built from the keel up to serve as an aircraft carrier, rather than being converted from another ship type. Its commissioning signaled the beginning of a new era in maritime warfare and naval strategy, demonstrating Japan's technological innovation in naval engineering.
  • 28 Dec 1922 Stan Lee's Birth: Stanley Martin Lieber, professionally known as Stan Lee, was born in Manhattan, New York City. He would go on to become one of the most influential comic book creators in history, co-creating iconic Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, Iron Man, Thor, and many others. Lee revolutionized the comic book industry by introducing complex, relatable characters with human flaws and moral dilemmas.
  • 29 Dec 1922 Formation of the Soviet Union: The Soviet Union was formally organized as a federation comprising four Soviet Socialist Republics: Russian SFSR, Ukrainian SSR, Belorussian SSR, and Transcaucasian SSR. Preparatory work for this significant political restructuring began on December 29, with the official formation completed on December 30, 1922.
  • 30 Dec 1922 Formation of the Soviet Union: The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) is established as a confederation of Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine, and the Transcaucasian Federation, marking a pivotal moment in world political history. This new communist state would go on to become a major global superpower throughout the 20th century.
  • 31 Dec 1922 Formation of the Soviet Union: On December 31, 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was officially established, marking a pivotal moment in world history. The Soviet Union was formed through the union of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and several other Soviet republics, creating the world's first socialist state. This event signaled the beginning of a new political and social experiment that would dramatically reshape global geopolitics throughout the 20th century.