MAY 22 | Birthdays and Events
Famous Birthdays
People born on May 22
Alfred Sully
Died: April 27, 1878
Oliver Perry Hay
Died: November 2, 1930
Horton Smith
Died: October 15, 1963
Johnny Olson
Died: October 12, 1985
George Aratani
Died: February 19, 2013
Robert Spitzer
Died: December 25, 2015
George H. Heilmeier
Died: April 21, 2014
Dustin Moskovitz
Historical Events on May 22
Events that occurred on May 22 throughout history
The first life insurance policy in North America was issued in Philadelphia.
The first life insurance policy in North America is issued in Philadelphia. The policy was written by the Presbyterian Ministers' Fund to financially protect the widows and children of deceased clergymen.
The first public library opens in Connecticut.
The first public library opens in Salisbury, Connecticut, becoming the nation's first publicly funded free library.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition officially begins to map the West.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition officially begins as the Corps of Discovery. Captain Meriwether Lewis and Lieutenant William Clark, along with 45 men, traveled up the Missouri River to map the uncharted West.
Former Vice President Aaron Burr is indicted of treason.
A grand jury indicts former Vice President Aaron Burr of treason for his suspected conspiracy to seize territory in the American Southwest and Spanish Mexico.
The Associated Press is formed in NY City.
The Associated Press is formed in NY City by five daily newspapers to share the high transmission costs of reporting on the Mexican-American War.
A future President Abraham Lincoln is issued a patent for a lift boat invention.
The future President Abraham Lincoln is issued a patent for a lift boat invention. He remains the only U.S. President in history to hold a patent.
The War Department establishes Bureau of Colored Troops.
The War Department establishes Bureau of Colored Troops to coordinate, train, and manage the influx of African American volunteers into the Union Army during the American Civil War.
The Wright Brothers are granted a patent for their "Flying-Machine".
Wilbur and Orville Wright were granted for their "Flying-Machine". The patent protected their foundational three-axis aerodynamic control system, which enabled pilots to effectively steer and maintain the balance of fixed-wing aircraft.
World Trade Day/National Maritime Day is celebrated for the first time.
World Trade Day/National Maritime Day is celebrated for the first time to honor American mariners, the U.S. Merchant Marine, and the broader shipping industry.
The "Great Society" is launchedto eliminate inequality financially and socially.
President Johnson launches his "Great Society" program to eliminate poverty, the reduction of racial injustice, and the expansion of social welfare, education, and healthcare.