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

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

01 May 1922 Charlie Robertson's Perfect Game in Major League Baseball: On May 1, 1922, Charlie Robertson of the Chicago White Sox achieved a remarkable feat in baseball history by pitching a perfect game against the Detroit Tigers. This rare accomplishment involved retiring all 27 batters faced without allowing a single hit, walk, or error, making it a pristine performance in professional baseball.
02 May 1922 Deaths of Pioneering African-American Scholars: Two groundbreaking African-American scholars passed away: Richard T. Greener, the first African-American Harvard University graduate, died at 78, and Mary Annette Anderson, the first African-American woman elected to Phi Beta Kappa, died at 47.
03 May 1922 Yankee Stadium Construction Begins: New York City Mayor John F. Hylan officially closed surrounding streets to facilitate the construction of Yankee Stadium, a landmark moment in American sports infrastructure that would become one of the most iconic baseball venues in history.
04 May 1922 Twin Tornadoes Devastate Austin, Texas: On May 4, 1922, a rare meteorological event occurred when two simultaneous tornadoes struck Austin, Texas. The first tornado, tracking northwest of the Texas State Capitol, caused approximately $25,000 in damage and injured five people. The second tornado, classified as an F4 storm, was more destructive, sweeping through the eastern city area and resulting in at least 12 fatalities and extensive property damage.
05 May 1922 Lynching in Kirvin, Texas: On May 5, 1922, a horrific act of racial violence occurred in Kirvin, Texas. Following the murder of Eula Ausley, a white lynch mob forcibly removed three African-American men from the Fairfield County jail and brutally executed them by burning them alive in the town square, exemplifying the extreme racial terror prevalent in the early 20th-century American South.
06 May 1922 Yankee Stadium Construction Begins: Construction of the iconic Yankee Stadium commenced in the Bronx, New York, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most famous sports venues in American history.
07 May 1922 Construction of Yankee Stadium Begins: The iconic Yankee Stadium's construction commenced in New York City, marking the beginning of a legendary sports venue that would become a symbol of baseball history.
08 May 1922 Religious Persecution in Soviet Moscow: In a stark demonstration of Soviet anti-religious policy, eight Russian Orthodox priests, two laymen, and one woman were sentenced to death in Moscow for actively opposing the Soviet government's aggressive campaign of church property confiscation. This event highlights the Soviet regime's systematic suppression of religious institutions and its intolerance of religious resistance during the early years of communist rule.
09 May 1922 First Licensed Radio Station in South Dakota: On May 9, 1922, South Dakota achieved a significant milestone in communication technology with the establishment of its first licensed radio station, WCAT, located in Rapid City. This event marked an important moment in the state's media and technological development, representing the expanding reach of radio broadcasting in early 20th-century America.
10 May 1922 First Woman Called to the English Bar: Dr. Ivy Williams made history by becoming the first woman to be called to the English Bar, marking a significant milestone for women's professional advancement in the legal field.
11 May 1922 Narrow Vote of Confidence for Greek Prime Minister: Dimitrios Gounaris, the Prime Minister of Greece, narrowly secured a vote of confidence in the Greek parliament, winning by the slimmest of margins - 161 votes to 160. This razor-thin victory highlights the political tensions and fragile parliamentary dynamics of early 1920s Greece.
12 May 1922 Massive Meteorite Impact in Virginia: On May 12, 1922, a significant 20-ton meteorite landed near Blackstone, Virginia, creating a remarkable astronomical event. The massive space rock's impact would have likely caused substantial ground disturbance and potentially created a notable crater in the local landscape. Such a large meteorite landing is a rare geological occurrence that would have drawn considerable scientific and local community attention.
13 May 1922 48th Kentucky Derby Won by Morvich: On May 13, 1922, jockey Albert Johnson rode the horse Morvich to victory in the 48th Kentucky Derby, completing the race in an impressive time of 2:04.6. This victory was a significant moment in horse racing history, showcasing the skill of both the jockey and the horse.
14 May 1922 Mussolini's Sword Duel with Newspaper Editor: Benito Mussolini, leader of the Italian Fascist Party, engaged in a sword duel with a rival newspaper editor to resolve political disagreements. This dramatic confrontation highlights the volatile political climate of early 1920s Italy and Mussolini's combative personality, which would later define his leadership as a dictator.
15 May 1922 German-Polish Upper Silesia Convention: The German-Polish Convention regarding Upper Silesia was signed in Geneva, establishing a formal agreement for the territorial division of the former Prussian province of Upper Silesia. This diplomatic resolution was part of the post-World War I territorial negotiations and ethnic boundary settlements.
16 May 1922 RMS Majestic Maiden Transatlantic Voyage: The White Star Line's RMS Majestic, then the world's largest passenger liner, successfully completed its maiden transatlantic voyage from Southampton, England to New York Harbor. The impressive journey took 5.5 days, showcasing the advanced maritime technology and engineering capabilities of the early 1920s.
17 May 1922 Death of Richard T. Greener, Pioneering African-American Harvard Graduate: On May 17, 1922, Richard T. Greener, a trailblazing African-American academic and the first Black graduate of Harvard University (Class of 1870), passed away at the age of 78. Greener was a prominent lawyer, diplomat, and educator who broke significant racial barriers in higher education during the post-Civil War era.
18 May 1922 Historic Cultural Gathering in Paris: A remarkable meeting of five influential 20th-century artists and intellectuals occurred at the Majestic Hotel in Paris. Sergei Diaghilev (ballet impresario), James Joyce (writer), Pablo Picasso (artist), Marcel Proust (novelist), and Igor Stravinsky (composer) dined together, marking their only known joint meeting. This gathering represented a convergence of modernist thought across multiple artistic disciplines.
19 May 1922 Nineteenth Amendment Constitutional Validation: In a landmark legal decision, the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed the constitutionality of the Nineteenth Amendment, which guarantees women's right to vote. This ruling was a critical moment in the women's suffrage movement, solidifying women's political participation and equality under the law.
20 May 1922 Babe Ruth Returns to New York Yankees: Baseball legends Babe Ruth and Bob Meusel, who had been suspended on October 16, 1921, by Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis, returned to the New York Yankees lineup. Despite their return, both players went hitless in their first game back.
21 May 1922 Eugene O'Neill Wins Pulitzer Prize: Playwright Eugene O'Neill is awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his groundbreaking play 'Anna Christie', highlighting his significant contribution to American theater.
22 May 1922 Assassination of William J. Twaddell: William J. Twaddell, a prominent member of parliament for Northern Ireland, was fatally shot by members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) while walking to work on May 22, 1922. This assassination occurred during the tumultuous period of the Irish War of Independence, reflecting the intense political violence and sectarian tensions that characterized Northern Ireland at the time.
23 May 1922 Walt Disney's First Film Company: Walt Disney incorporates Laugh-O-Gram Films, utilizing the remaining assets of Iwwerks-Disney Commercial Artists and securing US$15,000 from local investors. This pivotal moment marks the beginning of Disney's entrepreneurial journey in the film industry.
24 May 1922 Vladimir Lenin Suffers Stroke: On May 24, 1922, Vladimir Lenin, the prominent Bolshevik leader and key architect of the Russian Revolution, suffered a significant stroke. This medical event would have profound implications for the leadership and future direction of the Soviet Union, as Lenin's health began to decline.
25 May 1922 General Strike in Rome Following San Lorenzo Disorders: A significant general strike was called in Rome in response to the escalating disorders in the San Lorenzo district. This event reflects the social and political tensions in Italy during the early 1920s, a period marked by significant labor unrest and political instability.
26 May 1922 Lenin's First Major Health Crisis: Vladimir Lenin, the founding leader of the Soviet Union, suffered a significant stroke that would dramatically impact his ability to govern and ultimately set the stage for future power struggles within the Communist Party. This medical event marked a critical turning point in early Soviet political leadership, as Lenin's reduced capacity began to create uncertainty about the revolution's future direction.
27 May 1922 Paraguayan Civil War Erupts: A significant political crisis unfolded in Paraguay when President Eusebio Ayala unilaterally canceled planned presidential elections, triggering a civil war. This event highlighted the fragile democratic processes in early 20th-century South American politics and demonstrated the ongoing political instability in the region.
28 May 1922 Uneventful Day in 1922: While no specific major historical events were recorded for May 28, 1922, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many historical moments happen without immediate global recognition. During this period, the world was still recovering from World War I, and various political, social, and economic transformations were quietly unfolding across different regions.
29 May 1922 US Supreme Court Baseball Antitrust Ruling: The United States Supreme Court ruled that organized baseball is a sport and not a business, thereby exempting it from federal antitrust laws. This landmark decision would have significant implications for the future of professional baseball's legal and economic structure.
30 May 1922 Lincoln Memorial Dedication in Washington, D.C.: On May 30, 1922, the iconic Lincoln Memorial was officially dedicated in Washington, D.C. The momentous event was attended by tens of thousands of people, including Robert T. Lincoln, the son of President Abraham Lincoln. Former Chief Justice and President William Howard Taft presided over the ceremony, and President Warren G. Harding received the memorial. Dr. Robert R. Moton of Tuskegee Institute delivered a significant address during the dedication.
31 May 1922 Birth of Denholm Elliott, Renowned British Actor: Denholm Elliott was born in London, England, who would go on to become a distinguished actor known for his versatile performances in films such as 'Alfie', 'Cuba', 'A Doll's House', and 'King Rat'. He was a respected figure in British cinema and theater throughout the mid-20th century.