Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
December 22 Tuesday, December 22, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 22 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
6
Holidays
European history 537 years ago
The forces of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, take control of Almería from the Nasrid ruler of Granada, Muhammad XII.
Ferdinand and Isabella's forces capture Almería from Nasrid ruler Muhammad XII, advancing the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula.
History
What happened on December 22
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 69World history
Vespasian is proclaimed Emperor of Rome; his predecessor, Vitellius, attempts to abdicate but is captured and killed at the Gemonian stairs.
Vespasian is declared emperor of Rome, while Vitellius tries to abdicate but is instead captured and killed.
- 401Religion
Pope Innocent I is elected, the only pope to succeed his father in the office.
Innocent I becomes the first pope to succeed his father in the papal office.
- 856Disaster
Damghan earthquake: An earthquake near the Persian city of Damghan kills an estimated 200,000 people, the sixth deadliest earthquake in recorded history.
An earthquake near the Persian city of Damghan kills approximately 200,000 people, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes in recorded history.
- 880World history
Luoyang, eastern capital of the Tang dynasty, is captured by rebel leader Huang Chao during the reign of Emperor Xizong.
Huang Chao captures Luoyang, the eastern capital of the Tang dynasty, marking a significant blow to imperial authority.
- 1135UK history
Three weeks after the death of King Henry I of England, Stephen of Blois claims the throne and is privately crowned King of England, beginning the English Anarchy.
Stephen of Blois claims the English throne three weeks after Henry I's death, marking the start of the English Anarchy.
- 1216Religion
Pope Honorius III approves the Dominican Order through the papal bull of confirmation Religiosam vitam.
Pope Honorius III issues the papal bull Religiosam vitam, confirming the establishment of the Dominican Order.
- 1489European history
The forces of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, take control of Almería from the Nasrid ruler of Granada, Muhammad XII.
Ferdinand and Isabella's forces capture Almería from Nasrid ruler Muhammad XII, advancing the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula.
- 1769War
Sino-Burmese War: The war ends with the Qing dynasty withdrawing from Burma forever.
The Qing dynasty withdraws from Burma, ending the Sino-Burmese War.
- 1788World history
Nguyễn Huệ proclaims himself Emperor Quang Trung, in effect abolishing on his own the Lê dynasty.
Nguyễn Huệ proclaims himself Emperor Quang Trung, ending the Lê dynasty's rule.
- 1807US history
The Embargo Act, forbidding trade with all foreign countries, is passed by the U.S. Congress at the urging of President Thomas Jefferson.
The U.S. Congress passes the Embargo Act, banning all trade with foreign nations at President Thomas Jefferson's urging in an attempt to avoid war with Britain and France.
- 1894UK history
The Dreyfus affair begins in France, when Alfred Dreyfus is wrongly convicted of treason.
Alfred Dreyfus is wrongfully convicted of treason, marking the start of a controversial affair that divides French society.
- 1989World history
Romanian Revolution: Communist President of Romania Nicolae Ceaușescu is overthrown by Ion Iliescu after days of bloody confrontations. The deposed dictator and his wife Elena flee Bucharest in a helicopter as protesters erupt in cheers.
Nicolae Ceaușescu is overthrown by Ion Iliescu amid violent protests; the dictator and his wife flee Bucharest.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 22
7 this date All birthdays
David Pearson
American race car driver
David Gene Pearson, the American stock car driver who won three NASCAR Cup Series championships and the 1960 Rookie of the Year award, was born today in 1934.
Born
1934
Died
2018
Teresa Carreño
Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter and pianist
1853 – 1917
Edgard Varèse
French-American composer
1883 – 1965
Lynne Thigpen
American actress and singer
1948 – 2003
Lori McKenna
American singer-songwriter
b. 1968 · 58
Jordin Sparks
American singer-songwriter and actress
b. 1989 · 37
Joshua Bassett
American actor and singer
b. 2000 · 26
Music
The number one songs on December 22
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2025"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2024"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2023"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2022"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2021"Merry Christmas"— Ed Sheeran and Elton John
- 2020"All I Want for Christmas Is You"— Mariah Carey
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport December 22, 1984
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar becomes NBA's all-time leading scorer, passing Wilt Chamberlain
Los Angeles Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored his 31,420th career point in a game against the Utah Jazz at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain's record that had stood since 1973. Abdul-Jabbar would retire in 1989 with 38,387 points, a record that stood until 2023.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 22, 2016
A study finds the VSV-EBOV vaccine against the Ebola virus between 70 and 100% effective, making it the first proven vaccine against the disease.
A study confirms the VSV-EBOV vaccine is between 70 and 100 percent effective against Ebola, marking the first proven vaccine for the disease.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Dongzhi Festival
International
The traditional Chinese calendar divides a year into 24 solar terms
Armed Forces Day (Vietnam)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Mother's Day (Indonesia)
International
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society
National Mathematics Day (India)
International
The Indian government declared 22 December to be celebrated as National Mathematics Day every year to mark the birth anniversary of the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan
Teachers' Day (Cuba)
International
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers
Unity Day (Zimbabwe)
International
The following is a list of holidays in Zimbabwe:
❝
I didn't want to be second. I wanted to be first or nothing.
— David Pearson · born December 22, 1934