On 22 April in poetry and history
Poets born or who died on this date, plus historical events that happened on this day across history.
610 poets with calendar dates · 6,535 events with calendar dates in the catalogue
2 birthdays · 1 death anniversary · 10 world events on 22 April
Birthdays
-
Philip James Bailey
22 April 1816 – 6 September 1902 (~86)
Born 22 April 1816 — would have been 210 in 2026
-
Benjamin Griffith Brawley
22 April 1882 – 1 February 1939 (~57)
Born 22 April 1882 — would have been 144 in 2026
Death anniversaries
-
Marjorie L. C. Pickthall
14 September 1883 – 22 April 1922 (~39)
Died 22 April 1922 — 104 years ago on this date
World events on this day
-
Portuguese Arrival in Brazil
Pedro Álvares Cabral's fleet reached the coast of present-day Brazil near Porto Seguro in April 1500 and claimed the territory for Portugal. Permanent settlement followed, bringing plantations, enslaved Africans and violent pressure on Indigenous peoples. The colony became the centre of a vast Portuguese-speaking society.
-
Miguel de Cervantes Dies
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, author of Don Quixote, died in Madrid on April 22, 1616, just days before Shakespeare. His masterpiece had already transformed narrative fiction by blending realism with fantasy, creating a work that questioned the nature of truth and fiction while parodying chivalric romances popular in earlier Spanish literature.
-
The Destruction of Flood Rock at Hell Gate
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers executed the largest planned explosion in history to that date by detonating nearly 300,000 pounds of explosives to obliterate Flood Rock in New York City, USA. The blast cleared a notorious navigation hazard in the Hell Gate strait of the East River, which had wrecked hundreds of commercial vessels. The explosion was felt as far away as Princeton, New Jersey, and was witnessed by thousands of spectators along the shorelines.
-
Second Battle of Ypres and First Gas Attack
The Second Battle of Ypres, fought from April 22 to May 25, 1915, was notable for being the first major battle in which poison gas was used on the Western Front. The German forces deployed chlorine gas, causing panic and significant casualties among Allied troops. This event marked a grim turning point in warfare, as it introduced chemical weapons into combat, leading to devastating effects on soldiers and prompting international discussions on the ethics of warfare.
-
Founding of the Hanseatic League
The founding of the Hanseatic League in 1356 represented a significant development in trade and commerce in Northwestern and Central Europe. This commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns facilitated trade by providing mutual protection and establishing common regulations. The League played a crucial role in shaping economic relationships in the region and contributed to the rise of powerful trading cities during the late Middle Ages.
-
Pedro Álvares Cabral claims Brazil for Portugal
In 1500, while en route to India, Pedro Álvares Cabral's fleet sighted and claimed the Brazilian coast for Portugal, marking the beginning of European colonization in South America. This event was significant as it initiated Portugal's extensive territorial claims and exploitation of Brazil's resources, leading to profound cultural, economic, and demographic changes in the region. The colonization also set the stage for the complex interactions between indigenous populations and European settlers.
-
First Earth Day
The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, marking a pivotal moment in the environmental movement. Initiated by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, the event aimed to raise public awareness about pollution and environmental degradation. Millions of Americans participated in rallies, educational programs, and community clean-up efforts, leading to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of key environmental legislation. Earth Day is now celebrated globally, highlighting the ongoing importance of environmental stewardship.
-
The 1991 Costa Rica Earthquake
On April 22, 1991 CE, a powerful earthquake, estimated at magnitude 7.6, struck the Limón region of Costa Rica. The quake caused widespread destruction and loss of life. This was one of the most powerful earthquakes in Costa Rican history and had a significant impact on the country.
-
The Great Earthquake of 1991 in Limon
On April 22, 1991 CE, a powerful earthquake, estimated at magnitude 7.6, struck the Limon region of Costa Rica, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. This was one of the most powerful earthquakes in the history of Costa Rica and had a significant impact on the country. The event was a major disaster for the region.
-
Death of Paternal Grandfather Samuel Fowler Dickinson
Emily Dickinson's paternal grandfather, Samuel Fowler Dickinson, a founder of Amherst College, died of 'lung fever' on April 22, 1838, in Hudson, Ohio, at age 62. He had been serving as treasurer of Western Reserve College.