On This Day in History – June 22

Major Events

• 1633 – Galileo Galilei is forced by the Roman Catholic Church to recant his heliocentric view that the Earth orbits the Sun.

• 1815 – After his defeat at Waterloo, Napoleon Bonaparte abdicates the French throne for the second and final time.

• 1940 – France signs an armistice with Nazi Germany, officially ending French resistance in World War II.

• 1941 – Nazi Germany launches Operation Barbarossa, a massive invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II.

• 1969 – The Cuyahoga River in Ohio catches fire due to industrial pollution, bringing national attention to environmental issues.

• 1986 – Diego Maradona scores both the “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century” against England in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal.

• 1990 – Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin is dismantled, symbolizing the end of the Cold War era in Germany.

Famous Birthdays

• Erich Maria Remarque (1898–1970), German novelist best known for All Quiet on the Western Front.

• Billy Wilder (1906–2002), Austrian-American filmmaker and screenwriter behind classics like Sunset Boulevard and Some Like It Hot.

• Meryl Streep (born 1949), American actress widely regarded as one of the greatest performers of all time.

• Cyndi Lauper (born 1953), American singer-songwriter known for Girls Just Want to Have Fun and True Colors.

• Dan Brown (born 1964), American author best known for The Da Vinci Code.

• Carson Daly (born 1973), American TV host and personality, known for The Voice and Total Request Live.

Notable Deaths

• Judy Garland (1922–1969), American actress and singer, best known for The Wizard of Oz.

• Fred Astaire (1899–1987), American dancer, singer, and actor, iconic for his roles in classic Hollywood musicals.

• David O. Selznick (1902–1965), American film producer of Gone with the Wind.

• Pat Nixon (1912–1993), First Lady of the United States and wife of President Richard Nixon.

Holidays

• Teachers’ Day (El Salvador) – Honors the important role of educators in national development.

• Anti-Fascist Struggle Day (Croatia) – Commemorates the start of Croatian resistance to fascism in 1941.

• Windrush Day (United Kingdom) – Marks the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush in 1948, celebrating the contributions of Caribbean immigrants to British society.

Fun Facts

• The Cuyahoga River fire on this day in 1969 sparked the modern American environmental movement and led to the creation of the EPA.

• Diego Maradona’s two goals on this date in 1986 are still considered among the most iconic in soccer history — for very different reasons.

• Meryl Streep, born on this day, holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations for an actor.

• Galileo’s forced recantation in 1633 is now seen as a major symbol of the clash between science and religious authority.

• Windrush Day honors Caribbean immigrants who helped rebuild post-war Britain and enrich its culture and workforce.