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
January 22 Thursday, January 22, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 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
2
Holidays
2007
War 19 years ago
At least 88 people are killed when two car bombs explode in the Bab Al-Sharqi market in central Baghdad, Iraq.
Two car bombs explode in Baghdad's Bab Al-Sharqi market, killing at least 88 people.
History
What happened on January 22
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 613European history
Eight-month-old Heraclius Constantine is crowned as co-emperor (Caesar) by his father Heraclius at Constantinople.
Heraclius crowns his eight-month-old son Heraclius Constantine as co-emperor in Constantinople.
- 871UK history
Battle of Basing: The West Saxons led by King Æthelred I are defeated by the Danelaw Vikings at Basing.
King Æthelred I's West Saxon forces suffer defeat against the Danelaw Vikings in the Battle of Basing.
- 1506European history
The first contingent of 150 Swiss Guards arrives at the Vatican.
Swiss Guards arrive at the Vatican to protect the Pope and maintain order within the Holy See.
- 1555World history
The Ava Kingdom falls to the Taungoo Dynasty in what is now Myanmar.
The Ava Kingdom falls to the Taungoo Dynasty, marking a significant shift in Burmese history.
- 1689UK history
The Convention Parliament convenes to determine whether James II and VII, the last Roman Catholic monarch of England, Ireland and Scotland, had vacated the thrones of England and Ireland when he fled to France in 1688.
The Convention Parliament convenes to determine whether James II vacated the English and Irish thrones by fleeing to France.
- 1879War
Anglo-Zulu War: the Battle of Rorke's Drift, just some 15 km (9.3 mi) away from Isandlwana, results in a British victory.
A small British garrison at Rorke's Drift repels multiple Zulu attacks, securing a decisive victory just kilometers from the Isandlwana battlefield.
- 1890US history
The United Mine Workers of America is founded in Columbus, Ohio.
The United Mine Workers of America is founded in Columbus, Ohio, uniting coal miners to advocate for safer conditions and fair wages.
- 1915Disaster
Over 600 people are killed in Guadalajara, Mexico, when a train plunges off the tracks into a deep canyon.
A train derailment in Guadalajara kills over 600 people when it falls into a deep canyon.
- 1970Technology
The Boeing 747, the world's first "jumbo jet", enters commercial service for launch customer Pan American Airways with its maiden voyage from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to London Heathrow Airport.
The Boeing 747 begins commercial service, flying from New York to London as Pan American Airways' launch customer.
- 2006Politics
Evo Morales is inaugurated as President of Bolivia, becoming the country's first indigenous president.
Evo Morales is sworn in as Bolivia's president, marking the nation's first indigenous head of state.
- 2007War
At least 88 people are killed when two car bombs explode in the Bab Al-Sharqi market in central Baghdad, Iraq.
Two car bombs explode in Baghdad's Bab Al-Sharqi market, killing at least 88 people.
- 2024Politics
Ram Mandir is inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh after 500 years of dispute.
Narendra Modi inaugurates the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, marking the end of a longstanding religious dispute.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 22
7 this date All birthdays
Carl F. H. Henry
American theologian and publisher
Carl Ferdinand Howard Henry, the American evangelical theologian who provided intellectual and institutional leadership to the neo-evangelical movement in the mid-to-late 20th century, was born today in 1913.
Born
1913
Died
2003
Charles II de Valois
Duke of Orléans
1522 – 1545
August Strindberg
Swedish novelist, poet, and playwright
1849 – 1912
Beatrice Webb
English sociologist and economist
1858 – 1943
Bill Durnan
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
1916 – 1972
Sam Cooke
American singer-songwriter
1931 – 1964
Logic
American rapper
b. 1990 · 36
Music
The number one songs on January 22
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"End of Beginning"— Djo
- 2025"That's So True"— Gracie Abrams
- 2024"Stick Season"— Noah Kahan
- 2023"Pointless"— Lewis Capaldi
- 2022"ABCDEFU"— Gayle
- 2021"Drivers License"— Olivia Rodrigo
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport January 22, 1973
In a bout for the world heavyweight boxing championship in Kingston, Jamaica, challenger George Foreman knocks down champion Joe Frazier six times in the first two rounds before the fight is stopped by referee Arthur Mercante Sr..
George Foreman knocks down Joe Frazier six times before the referee stops their world heavyweight boxing championship bout.
Read the story
🔬 Science January 22, 1998
Space Shuttle program: space shuttle Endeavour launches on STS-89 to dock with the Russian space station Mir.
Endeavour lifts off on mission STS-89 to rendezvous and deliver supplies to the Russian space station Mir.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Day of Unity of Ukraine (Ukraine)
International
The Unification Act was an agreement signed by the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian People's Republic in Sophia Square in Kyiv on 22 January 1919
Grandfather's Day (Poland)
International
Holidays in Poland are regulated by the Non-working Days Act of 18 January 1951