College of New Jersey Is Chartered
The College of New Jersey, later Princeton University, was chartered on October 22, 1746. It became one of America's great universities.
Garnerin Makes the First Parachute Jump
Andre-Jacques Garnerin made the first parachute jump on October 22, 1797, from a balloon over Paris. He landed safely.
The Metropolitan Opera House Opens
The Metropolitan Opera House opened in New York on October 22, 1883, with a performance of Faust. It became America's leading opera company.
The Three Red Armies Meet in Gansu
On October 22, 1936, the main Red Army forces met at Jiangtaibao in Gansu, completing the Long March that had begun in 1934.
West Germany Joins NATO
West Germany joined NATO on October 22, 1954, rearming a defeated nation. The move deepened the Cold War division of Europe.
Kennedy Announces the Cuba Quarantine
President Kennedy announced the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba on October 22, 1962, and ordered a naval quarantine. The Cuban Missile Crisis began.
Sartre Declines the Nobel Prize
Jean-Paul Sartre refused the Nobel Prize in Literature on October 22, 1964. He was the first person to decline the award voluntarily.
Apollo 7 Returns Safely to Earth
Apollo 7 splashed down on October 22, 1968, completing the first crewed Apollo mission. It cleared the way for the flight to the Moon.
Deng Xiaoping Visits Japan
On October 22, 1978, Deng Xiaoping arrived in Tokyo, the first Chinese leader to visit Japan since 1949, for the treaty of peace and friendship.
Marshal Ye Jianying Dies
On October 22, 1986, Marshal Ye Jianying, one of the ten marshals of the People's Liberation Army, died in Beijing at the age of 89.
Maurice Papon Is Convicted
Maurice Papon was jailed on October 22, 1999 for complicity in deporting Jews from wartime France. The case forced France to face its past.
India Launches Its First Moon Mission
On October 22, 2008, India launched Chandrayaan-1, its first lunar mission, which found evidence of water on the Moon.