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

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

01 Jul 1922 Canada Day Established: Canada officially celebrates its national holiday, originally known as Dominion Day, commemorating the confederation of Upper and Lower Canada in 1867. This day marks the birth of the modern Canadian nation and celebrates Canadian unity, history, and national identity.
02 Jul 1922 Birth of Dan Rowan, Comedian: Dan Rowan was born in Beggs, Oklahoma, who would later become a prominent comedian best known for his work on the groundbreaking comedy variety show 'Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In'. This popular television program, which aired from 1968 to 1973, was instrumental in revolutionizing comedy television and launching the careers of many comedic talents.
03 Jul 1922 Creation of Nansen Passports for Stateless Refugees: At the Intergovernmental Conference on Identity Certificates for Russian Refugees, a groundbreaking international document called the Nansen Passport was established. Named after Norwegian explorer and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen, these travel documents were designed to provide legal identity and mobility for refugees who had been rendered stateless in the aftermath of World War I and the Russian Revolution. The Nansen Passport became a critical humanitarian tool, allowing displaced individuals to travel, work, and seek asylum in different countries when they lacked traditional national documentation.
04 Jul 1922 Philippine Independence from the United States: On July 4, 1922, the Philippines officially gained independence from the United States, marking a significant milestone in the nation's journey towards self-governance. Following the Spanish-American War of 1898, the Philippines had been under U.S. colonial control. This date symbolizes the country's transition towards becoming a sovereign republic, though full independence would not be completely realized until 1946.
05 Jul 1922 Women's Suffrage in Dutch Elections: In a groundbreaking moment for women's rights, Dutch women participated in their first national election on July 5, 1922. The election results saw Christian parties securing a notable victory, reflecting the political landscape of the time.
06 Jul 1922 Brazilian Navy Suppresses Fort Copacabana Rebellion: The Brazilian Navy battleship São Paulo launched a decisive military operation against rebel forces at Fort Copacabana near Rio de Janeiro. Using powerful 12-inch diameter guns, the naval vessel effectively neutralized the rebellion, forcing the surrender of 283 out of 301 soldiers and seamen who had initially seized the fort.
07 Jul 1922 Pierre Cardin Born in Paris: Pierre Cardin, a renowned French fashion designer known for pioneering unisex fashion and innovative design, was born in Paris, France. He would later become a revolutionary figure in the fashion industry, challenging traditional clothing norms and creating avant-garde styles.
08 Jul 1922 Muhammad VI al-Habib Becomes Bey of Tunis: Muhammad VI al-Habib, known as 'Habib Bey', ascended to the throne as the monarch of the French protectorate of Tunisia, succeeding his first cousin Muhammad V an-Nasir ('Naceur Bey'), who had ruled since 1906. This transition of power occurred within the complex political landscape of French colonial North Africa.
09 Jul 1922 Johnny Weissmuller Breaks World Swimming Record: On July 9, 1922, Johnny Weissmuller, who would later become famous as Tarzan in Hollywood films, made swimming history by completing the 100 meters freestyle in an extraordinary time of 58.6 seconds. This remarkable achievement broke the existing world record and symbolically shattered the 'minute barrier' for swimming, representing a significant milestone in competitive swimming performance.
10 Jul 1922 Bahamas Independence: The Bahamas gained independence from the United Kingdom after 250 years as a British Crown Colony, marking a significant milestone in the nation's political history. This transition represented the culmination of a long journey towards self-governance and national sovereignty.
11 Jul 1922 Hollywood Bowl Opens in Los Angeles: The Hollywood Bowl, an iconic outdoor amphitheater, officially opened in Hollywood, California. The venue was inaugurated with a landmark performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, marking the beginning of what would become a legendary cultural landmark in American entertainment history.
12 Jul 1922 Birth of Mark Hatfield, Prominent Oregon Politician: Mark Hatfield was born on July 12, 1922, in Dallas, Oregon. He would go on to become a significant political figure, serving as a United States Senator from Oregon from 1967 to 1997. Known for his moderate Republican views and principled stances, Hatfield was a respected legislator who played important roles in national policy-making during the Cold War and post-Vietnam era.
13 Jul 1922 Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes Gains Sovereignty: The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes received official recognition as a sovereign nation from the Conference of Ambassadors of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers. This marked a significant milestone in the nation's formation, which would later be renamed Yugoslavia in 1929.
14 Jul 1922 Assassination Attempt on French President Alexandre Millerand: On July 14, 1922, French President Alexandre Millerand narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during Bastille Day celebrations. Anarchist Gustave Bouvet fired two revolver shots at the president, but Millerand was unharmed. The incident highlighted the political tensions and anarchist movements prevalent in early 20th-century France.
15 Jul 1922 Birth of Leon M. Lederman: Leon M. Lederman, a renowned American physicist who would later win the Nobel Prize, was born. Lederman is known for his groundbreaking work in particle physics and his significant contributions to understanding subatomic particles.
17 Jul 1922 Assassins of Walter Rathenau Cornered by Police: German authorities tracked down the assassins of Foreign Minister Walter Rathenau to a hideout in Saaleck Castle near Bad Kösen. During the confrontation, mechanical engineer Hermann Fischer committed suicide, while retired naval officer Erwin Kern was fatally shot while attempting to escape. This event was part of the political violence that followed Rathenau's assassination on June 24, 1922.
18 Jul 1922 Assassination of Sir Henry Wilson Leads to Death Sentences: On July 18, 1922, two Irish Republican Army (IRA) agents were sentenced to death for the assassination of British Army Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson. The killing, which took place in London, was a significant moment in the ongoing tensions between Ireland and Britain during the tumultuous period following the Irish War of Independence. Sir Henry Wilson, a prominent British military figure, was murdered outside his home, highlighting the intense political violence of the era.
19 Jul 1922 George McGovern: Birth and Political Career: George McGovern was born on July 19, 1922, in Troy, South Dakota. He would later become a prominent Democratic Senator from South Dakota and a notable presidential candidate in the 1972 election. McGovern was known for his progressive political stance, strong opposition to the Vietnam War, and advocacy for social welfare programs.
20 Jul 1922 German Hyperinflation Escalates: Germany experienced severe economic instability as hyperinflation dramatically increased, with the exchange rate rising from 12 marks per US dollar in April 1929 to 563 marks, reflecting the profound economic challenges facing the Weimar Republic.
21 Jul 1922 Birth of Kay Starr, Renowned American Singer: Kay Starr was born in Dougherty, Oklahoma, USA. She would become a notable singer known for her versatile musical style, particularly famous for hits like 'Rock and Roll Waltz' and performances at venues such as Club Oasis. Her career spanned multiple genres including pop, jazz, and rock and roll, making her a significant musical figure of mid-20th century American entertainment.
22 Jul 1922 St. Louis Baseball Teams Achieve Simultaneous League Leadership: On July 22, 1922, the St. Louis Cardinals entered first place in their league, marking a historic moment as both St. Louis baseball teams (Cardinals and Browns) simultaneously held top positions in their respective leagues. This rare achievement highlighted the city's exceptional baseball prowess during the early 1920s.
23 Jul 1922 Firmin Lambot Wins the 16th Tour de France: Belgian cyclist Firmin Lambot emerged victorious in the 16th edition of the prestigious Tour de France cycling race. This win solidified his reputation as a formidable competitor in the early years of the international cycling competition. Lambot's triumph came during a challenging period in the Tour's history, when the race was still developing its modern format and endurance was a key factor in success.
24 Jul 1922 British Mandate of Palestine Confirmed by League of Nations: The draft of the British Mandate for Palestine was formally confirmed by the Council of the League of Nations, establishing a significant legal framework for British administration of the territory. The mandate officially came into effect on 26 September 1923, marking a pivotal moment in the geopolitical restructuring of the Middle East following World War I.
25 Jul 1922 AT&T Launches First Radio Broadcast on WBAY: On July 25, 1922, AT&T made a significant milestone in broadcasting history by initiating radio transmission through its station WBAY. This event marked an important moment in the early development of commercial radio broadcasting in the United States, demonstrating the telecommunications giant's expansion into the emerging media landscape.
26 Jul 1922 Blake Edwards - Influential Hollywood Director Born: Blake Edwards was born on July 26, 1922, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He would emerge as a prominent film director, screenwriter, and producer, known for his distinctive comedic style and significant contributions to Hollywood cinema. His notable works include the iconic comedy '10', the satirical 'SOB', and the classic romantic comedy 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'. Edwards was married to actress Julie Andrews and was known for his collaborations with Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther film series.
27 Jul 1922 Formation of the International Geographical Union: The International Geographical Union (IGU) was established in Brussels, Belgium, marking a significant milestone in global geographical research and collaboration. This international scientific organization aimed to promote geographical research, facilitate knowledge exchange, and support geographical studies across different regions and disciplines.
28 Jul 1922 US Diplomatic Recognition of Baltic States: On July 28, 1922, the United States officially established diplomatic relations with Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, marking a significant moment of international recognition for these newly independent Baltic nations following World War I and the Russian Revolution. These three countries, which had recently gained independence from the Russian Empire, were strategically important in the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe.
30 Jul 1922 Italian General Strike Against Fascist Violence: A significant general strike was organized in Italy to protest escalating fascist violence, marking a critical moment of resistance against the rising tide of Benito Mussolini's fascist movement. This strike represented growing social and political tensions in Italy during the early 1920s, as democratic forces attempted to counter the increasing authoritarianism of fascist groups.
31 Jul 1922 Italian General Strike Against Fascist Violence: On July 31, 1922, a significant general strike erupted across Italy as citizens and workers protested escalating fascist violence. This strike represented a critical moment of resistance against the rising tide of Benito Mussolini's fascist movement, highlighting growing social and political tensions in pre-Mussolini Italy.