Today (22/08) in History

Here are some important historical incidents that occurred on August 22nd:

51 Pegasy B

1. Discovery of 51 Pegasi b (1995): The first exoplanet orbiting a sun-like star, 51 Pegasi b, was discovered, marking a significant milestone in astronomy and the search for extraterrestrial life.
2. First Geneva Convention (1864): The First Geneva Convention was signed, marking the beginning of international humanitarian law and the protection of war victims. It was led by Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross.
3. Beginning of the “Rape of Nanking” (1937): The Japanese Army captured the city of Nanking (Nanjing) during the Second Sino-Japanese War, leading to the Nanjing Massacre, where hundreds of thousands of civilians were murdered, and tens of thousands of women were raped.
4. German-Russian Non-Aggression Pact (1939): Also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, this agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union was signed, allowing Germany to invade Poland without Soviet interference, marking a significant step toward World War II.
5. Assassination Attempt on Adolf Hitler (1944): A failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler, known as Operation Valkyrie, was carried out by members of the German military, led by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg.
6. Althea Gibson Wins U.S. National Tennis Championship (1950): Althea Gibson became the first African American to compete in the U.S. National Tennis Championship, breaking racial barriers in sports.
7. The Beatles’ First U.S. Concert (1964): The Beatles performed their first concert in the United States at the Hollywood Bowl, marking a significant moment in the British Invasion and rock history.
8. Floyd Patterson Regains Heavyweight Title (1960): Floyd Patterson became the first boxer to regain the world heavyweight title by defeating Ingemar Johansson, an important event in sports history.
9. Hurricane Andrew Strikes Florida (1992): One of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history, Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Florida, causing widespread devastation.
10. St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (1572): A significant and tragic event during the French Wars of Religion, where thousands of Huguenots (French Protestants) were killed in Paris and across France by Catholic mobs.

These events span a wide range of historical themes, from warfare and diplomacy to science and culture.

Here are some important incidents in Indian history that occurred on August 22nd:

1. **Treaty of Madras (1769):** The Treaty of Madras was signed on August 22, 1769, between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore, ruled by Hyder Ali. This treaty ended the First Anglo-Mysore War, with both sides agreeing to return captured territories and prisoners.

2. **India’s National Flag Hoisted in Europe (1907):** On August 22, 1907, the Indian national flag was hoisted for the first time in Europe by Bhikaji Cama, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, at the International Socialist Congress in Stuttgart, Germany. This was a significant moment in the internationalization of India’s struggle for independence.

3. **Formation of the Communist Party of India (1920):** The Communist Party of India (CPI) was formally founded on August 22, 1920, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, by a group of Indian revolutionaries inspired by the Russian Revolution. This was a key development in the political landscape of India.

4. **INS Nilgiri Commissioned (1972):** On August 22, 1972, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Nilgiri, the first major warship to be built in India. It was a significant step towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

5. **P. V. Narasimha Rao’s Birth Anniversary (1921):** August 22 marks the birth anniversary of P. V. Narasimha Rao, who served as the 9th Prime Minister of India. His tenure from 1991 to 1996 was notable for significant economic reforms that liberalized the Indian economy.