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
June 22 Monday, June 22, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on June 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
5
Holidays
Science 393 years ago
The Holy Office in Rome forces Galileo Galilei to recant his view that the Sun, not the Earth, is the center of the Universe in the form he presented it in, after heated controversy.
Galileo Galilei is forced by the Roman Inquisition to recant his support for heliocentrism, the view that Earth orbits the Sun rather than standing fixed at the universe's center.
History
What happened on June 22
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -217War
Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV Philopator of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom.
Ptolemy IV Philopator defeats Antiochus III in the Battle of Raphia, securing Egyptian control over Palestine.
- -168War
Battle of Pydna: Romans under Lucius Aemilius Paullus defeat Macedonian King Perseus who surrenders after the battle, ending the Third Macedonian War.
Lucius Aemilius Paullus defeats Macedonian King Perseus in the Battle of Pydna, marking the end of the Third Macedonian War.
- 431Religion
The Council of Ephesus, the third ecumenical council, begins, dealing with Nestorianism.
The Council of Ephesus convenes to address Nestorianism and its implications for Christ's nature.
- 813European history
Battle of Versinikia: The Bulgars led by Krum defeat the Byzantine army near Edirne. Emperor Michael I is forced to abdicate in favor of Leo V the Armenian.
The Bulgars, led by Krum, defeat the Byzantine army; Emperor Michael I abdicates in favor of Leo V the Armenian.
- 910European history
The Hungarians defeat the East Frankish army near the Rednitz River, killing its leader Gebhard, Duke of Lotharingia (Lorraine).
The Hungarian forces defeat the East Frankish army near the Rednitz River, killing Duke Gebhard of Lotharingia.
- 1527World history
Fatahillah expels Portuguese forces from Sunda Kelapa, now regarded as the foundation of Jakarta.
Fatahillah expels Portuguese forces from Sunda Kelapa, establishing what is now Jakarta.
- 1593War
Battle of Sisak: Allied Christian troops defeat the Ottomans.
Allied Christian forces defeat Ottoman invaders in the Battle of Sisak.
- 1633Science
The Holy Office in Rome forces Galileo Galilei to recant his view that the Sun, not the Earth, is the center of the Universe in the form he presented it in, after heated controversy.
Galileo Galilei is forced by the Roman Inquisition to recant his support for heliocentrism, the view that Earth orbits the Sun rather than standing fixed at the universe's center.
- 1783Disaster
A poisonous cloud caused by the eruption of the Laki volcano in Iceland reaches Le Havre in France.
A toxic plume from the Laki volcanic eruption in Iceland reaches Le Havre, France.
- 1793World history
Haitian Revolution: The Battle of Cap-Français ends with French Republican troops and black slave insurgents capturing the city.
French Republican troops and black slave insurgents capture Cap-Français, marking a significant victory in the Haitian Revolution.
- 1898War
Spanish-American War: In a chaotic operation, 6,000 men of the U.S. Fifth Army Corps begins landing at Daiquirí, Cuba, about 16 miles (26 km) east of Santiago de Cuba. Lt. Gen. Arsenio Linares y Pombo of the Spanish Army outnumbers them two-to-one, but does not oppose the landings.
U.S. forces begin landing at Daiquirí, Cuba, in a chaotic operation that goes unopposed despite Spanish troops outnumbering them two-to-one.
- 1922UK history
British Army Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson is killed by the Irish Republican Army helping to spark the Irish Civil War.
British Army Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson is assassinated by the Irish Republican Army on the doorstep of his London home, helping precipitate the Irish Civil War.
Born today
Famous birthdays on June 22
7 this date All birthdays
Joseph Papp
American director and producer
Joseph Papp, the American theatrical producer and director who founded Shakespeare in the Park to make classical theater accessible through free performances, was born today in 1921.
Born
1921
Died
1991
Walter Bonatti
Italian journalist and mountaineer
1930 – 2011
Abbas Kiarostami
Iranian director, producer, and screenwriter
1940 – 2016
Darryl Brohman
Australian rugby league player and sportscaster
b. 1956 · 70
Jimmy Somerville
Scottish singer-songwriter
b. 1961 · 65
Clyde Drexler
American basketball player and coach
b. 1962 · 64
Jerome Taylor
Jamaican cricketer
b. 1984 · 42
Music
The number one songs on June 22
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2025"Manchild"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2024"Houdini"— Eminem
- 2023"Sprinter"— Dave and Central Cee
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Good 4 U"— Olivia Rodrigo
- 2020"Rockstar"— DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport June 22, 1986
The famous Hand of God goal, scored by Diego Maradona in the quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and England, ignites controversy. This was later followed by the Goal of the Century. Argentina wins 2-1 and later goes on to win the World Cup.
Diego Maradona scores争议性手球和世纪进球，帮助阿根廷在对阵英格兰的比赛中以2-1获胜，最终赢得世界杯。
Read the story
🔬 Science June 22, 1978
Charon, the first of Pluto's satellites to be discovered, was first seen at the United States Naval Observatory by James W. Christy.
James W. Christy discovers Charon, the first known satellite of Pluto, at the United States Naval Observatory.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Anti-Fascist Struggle Day (Croatia)
International
Anti-Fascist Struggle Day is a public holiday in Croatia
Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War (Belarus)
International
National holidays in Belarus are classified into state holidays and other holidays and commemorative days, including religious holidays
Father's Day (Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Jersey)
International
Father's Day is a day set aside for honoring one's father, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society
Teachers' Day (El Salvador)
International
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers
Windrush Day (UK)
International
Windrush Day is a commemoration in the United Kingdom held on 22 June to honour the contributions of migrants to the post-war economy