Today in History – April 22: Earth Day, Breakthroughs, and a Dictator’s Last Stand

April 22 brings moments of environmental awareness, groundbreaking scientific insights, and turning points in world leadership. It’s a date marked by global concern, discovery, and final chapters.

Let’s explore what happened on April 22 throughout history.

1970 – The First Earth Day Is Celebrated

On April 22, 1970, over 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to participate in the first Earth Day—a national demonstration for environmental reform.

Led by Senator Gaylord Nelson, the movement united people from all walks of life and gave rise to landmark legislation like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Earth Day is now observed worldwide.

1500 – Brazil Is “Discovered” by Pedro Álvares Cabral

Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral landed on the coast of what is now Brazil on April 22, 1500. Though indigenous peoples had lived there for millennia, the arrival of the Portuguese marked the beginning of colonial rule.

Brazil would remain a Portuguese colony for over 300 years before gaining independence in 1822.

1945 – Hitler Admits Defeat as Soviets Reach Berlin

On April 22, 1945, with Soviet troops surrounding Berlin, Adolf Hitler held a conference in his underground bunker and admitted the war was lost. This marked a significant psychological collapse for the Nazi regime.

Just eight days later, Hitler would take his own life, and Germany would soon surrender, ending the war in Europe.

1972 – Apollo 16 Astronauts Explore the Moon

Astronauts John Young and Charles Duke of Apollo 16 conducted their second lunar surface exploration on April 22, 1972. The mission included geological surveys and moonwalks in the Descartes Highlands—a rugged region of the Moon never before visited.

Apollo 16 would become the fifth successful Moon landing mission and one of NASA’s final lunar ventures.

1993 – Holocaust Memorial Museum Opens in Washington, D.C.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum officially opened on April 22, 1993, in Washington, D.C. The museum was established to honor the victims of the Holocaust and educate future generations about the dangers of hatred and genocide.

Since its opening, it has welcomed millions of visitors from around the world.

Famous Birthdays on April 22

Vladimir Lenin (1870) – Russian revolutionary leader
Founder of the Soviet Union and leader of the Bolshevik Revolution, Lenin remains one of the most influential—and controversial—figures in modern history.

J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904) – American physicist
Often called the “father of the atomic bomb,” Oppenheimer led the Manhattan Project during World War II and later reflected on its consequences.

Jack Nicholson (1937) – American actor
An iconic figure in film, Nicholson is known for powerful performances in The Shining, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Chinatown.