Osun Defender History Corner: October 22nd In Focus
Today on the history corner, we took a trip down, in the realm of flashback and we were able to recall some events that marked this day.
October 22nd, 362 BC
The Theban Sacred Band, an elite military unit of 300 Theban soldiers, was annihilated by the Macedonians at the Battle of Chaeronea.
October 22nd, 1797
André-Jacques Garnerin made the first recorded parachute jump from a hot air balloon in France.
October 22nd, 1836
Sam Houston was inaugurated as the first President of the Republic of Texas.
October 22md, 1844
Sarah Josepha Hale published the poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
October 22nd, 1883
The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City held its grand opening.
October 22nd, 1924
Toastmasters International, a non-profit organization for public speaking and leadership development, was founded in California.
October 22nd, 1960
Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, attended the opening of the Parliament of the United Kingdom in London. This date marked an important moment for Nigeria’s newly gained independence from British colonial rule.
October 22nd, 1962
U.S. President John F. Kennedy announced the discovery of Soviet missile bases in Cuba, leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
October 22nd, 1975
The Soviet spacecraft Venera 9 sent back the first images from the surface of Venus.
October 22nd, 1979
Nigeria held its first presidential elections since the end of military rule. Shehu Shagari emerged as the winner and became the first executive president of Nigeria’s Second Republic.
October 22nd, 1979
The first VHS home video recorder was released by JVC.
October 22nd, 1981
The United States national debt exceeded $1 trillion for the first time.
October 22nd, 1981
The United States invaded Grenada to rescue American citizens and restore order.
October 22nd, 1986
U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986 into law.
October 22nd, 2001
On this day, Nigeria’s former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, declared his intention to contest the presidential election in 2003. His announcement marked a significant moment in Nigerian politics.
October 22nd, 2001
Apple introduced the iPod, revolutionizing the way people listen to music.
October 22nd, 2008
India’s first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, was launched.
October 22nd, 2012
A bomb explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, killed eight people and wounded dozens.
October 22nd, 2014
A shooting at the National War Memorial and Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, left one soldier dead and several others injured.
October 22nd, 2018
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge, officially opened.
October 22nd, 2019
The United Kingdom granted a Brexit extension until January 31, 2020.
October 22nd, 2020
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully collected samples from the asteroid Bennu.
Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on October 21st. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
