March 22: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
Pope Clement V officially dissolved the legendary Knights Templar on March 22, 1312 — one of history's most dramatic turning points, shared with the Beatles' debut album and the first laser patent.
About March 22
March 22 weaves a remarkably diverse historical thread. The day marks World Water Day, a vital international observance, while Puerto Rico commemorates emancipation from slavery, and the Indian state of Bihar celebrates its founding. Perhaps the most seismic historical event on this date occurred in 1312, when Pope Clement V issued Vox in excelso, officially disbanding the powerful and wealthy Knights Templar order.
Centuries later, March 22 became a showcase for cultural firsts. In 1895, the Lumière brothers gave a public demonstration of movie film technology, planting the seed for the entire film industry. Fast-forward to 1963: the Beatles released their debut album Please Please Me, launching a musical revolution. Scientific innovation also shines on this date — Arthur Schawlow and Charles Townes secured the first patent for the laser in 1960.
The date carries sobering political milestones too. In 1765, Britain's Parliament passed the Stamp Act, a tax on American colonies that helped spark a revolution. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen–Harrison Act, legalizing weak beer and effectively marking the beginning of the end for Prohibition in the United States.
Holidays & Observances on March 22
- Bihar Day (Bihar, India)
- Earliest day on which Easter Sunday can fall (last in 1818, will not happen again until 2285), while April 25 is the latest. (Christianity)
- Emancipation Day or Día de la Abolición de la Esclavitud (Puerto Rico)
- World Water Day (International)
Fun & National Days on March 22
- National Goof-off Day — Productivity is overrated — declare a guilt-free afternoon of doing absolutely nothing useful.
- Gryffindor Pride Day — Wear scarlet and gold proudly and celebrate your inner brave, chivalrous wizard.
- National Bavarian Crêpes Day — Whip up delicate crêpes with fruit and cream for a deliciously continental treat.
- As Young as You Feel Day — Ignore the calendar and go do whatever makes your spirit feel twenty-five again.
- National Broccoli Day — Give the mighty green tree a chance — roast it, steam it, or hide it in cheese.
- Buzzard Day
- International Day of the Seal
- National Health Care Rights Day
- National Sing Out Day
On This Day in History
- 1312 — Pope Clement V issues Vox in excelso, formally disbanding the Knights Templar, ending one of medieval Europe's most powerful military orders.
- 1508 — King Ferdinand II of Aragon names explorer Amerigo Vespucci chief navigator of Spain, a role in which the Americas' name took root.
- 1621 — Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony, guided by interpreter Squanto, sign a peace treaty with Wampanoag chief Massasoit, securing early colonial survival.
- 1739 — Persian ruler Nader Shah captures and plunders Delhi, seizing the legendary jewels of the dazzling Peacock Throne.
- 1765 — The British Parliament enacts the Stamp Act, imposing a direct tax on American colonies and igniting fierce revolutionary sentiment.
- 1784 — Thailand's revered Emerald Buddha is ceremoniously moved to its permanent home at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.
- 1873 — The Spanish National Assembly officially abolishes slavery in Puerto Rico, a milestone now honored annually on this date.
- 1895 — Brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière publicly demonstrate movie film technology, laying the groundwork for global cinema.
- 1933 — President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Cullen–Harrison Act, legalizing low-alcohol beer and winding down Prohibition.
- 1960 — Scientists Arthur Schawlow and Charles Townes secure the first patent for the laser, a transformative technological breakthrough.
- 1963 — The Beatles release their debut album Please Please Me, kickstarting a musical era that would define a generation.
- 1995 — Cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov returns to Earth after spending a record-shattering 438 consecutive days aboard the Mir space station.
Famous Birthdays on March 22
- 1599 — Anthony van Dyck, Flemish Baroque painter who became the leading court artist in England under King Charles I.
- 1868 — Robert Andrews Millikan, American physicist who won the Nobel Prize for measuring the electron's charge and studying photoelectric effects.
- 1869 — Emilio Aguinaldo, Filipino revolutionary general who became the first president of the Philippines.
- 1887 — Chico Marx, American comedian and actor, the piano-playing member of the legendary Marx Brothers.
- 1931 — William Shatner, Canadian actor who became a pop culture icon portraying Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek.
- 1942 — Jorge Ben Jor, Brazilian singer-songwriter who fused samba with rock, creating classics like Mas Que Nada.
- 1943 — George Benson, American jazz guitarist and vocalist whose crossover hits earned multiple Grammy Awards.
- 1948 — Andrew Lloyd Webber, English composer of blockbuster musicals including Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and Evita.
- 1948 — Wolf Blitzer, Veteran American journalist known for decades of political reporting on CNN.
- 1976 — Reese Witherspoon, American actress and producer who won an Academy Award for portraying June Carter Cash.