This Day in History on December 22nd

A Brief History

This article presents a chronological list of notable events that happened on December 22nd. For each date below, please click on the date to be taken to an article covering that date’s event.

Digging Deeper

On December 22, 69 AD, the reigning Emperor of Rome, Vitellius, was captured and murdered on the Gemonian Stairs in Rome, proving once again how dangerous it was to be a Roman Emperor.

On December 22, 1880, English writer George Eliot, author of such novels as Adam Bede and Silas Marner, died at the age of 61 of a throat infection and chronic kidney problems.

On December 22, 1965, one more bit of personal freedom went the way of the passenger pigeon when a 70 mph speed limit was set on all British rural roads.

On December 22, 1965, a 70 mph speed limit was set on all British rural roads.

On December 22, 1975, President Gerald Ford ordered a national stockpile of oil, or petroleum if you prefer, be created in underground storage located in Texas and Louisiana.

On December 22, 1984, the tables got turned on criminals when their victim shot them!

On December 22, 1984, the tables got turned on criminals when their victim shot them! (NOTE: The link in the date for this entry leads to a different article than the other mention to this same event above.)

On December 22, 2001, Richard Colvin Reid, age 28, of London, England, attempted to destroy an airliner in flight on its way to Miami, Florida by the use of explosives hidden in his shoe.

Question for students (and subscribers): Which event that occurred on today’s date would you like to learn more about? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.

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