1977Discovery
Rings of Uranus discovered
Rings of Uranus discovered during stellar occultation observed from Kuiper Airborne Observatory.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Keegan-Michael Key born (1971) and Reese Witherspoon born (1976), 5 years apart.
1 / 3 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Before dinosaurs existed, dragonflies with 2-foot wings ruled the sky.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- British Left Waffles on Falkland IslandsHall of Fame◆
- 1984CAVALIERS DEFEAT KNICKS BY 100-99The New York Times◆
- 2023California storm siege leaves five dead amid reports of tornadoes in some areasThe Guardian◆
- 2018John Bolton to replace McMaster as Trump's national security adviserThe Guardian◆
- 1963Please Please Me, the first album recorded by the Beatles, was released.Wikipedia◆
- 1960Arthur Leonard Schawlow and Charles Hard Townes receive the first patent for a laser.Wikipedia◆
- 1896Charilaos Vasilakos (pictured) won the first modern marathon in preparation for the inaugural Summer Olympics.Wikipedia◆
- 1871William Woods Holden, Governor of North Carolina, became the first U.S. state governor to be removed from office through impeachment.Wikipedia◆
- 1913Phan Xích Long, the self-proclaimed emperor of Vietnam, was arrested for organising a revolt against the colonial rule of French Indochina, which was nevertheless carried out by his supporters the following day.Wikipedia◆
- 1794The Slave Trade Act, which banned the export of slaves from the United States, was signed by George WashingtonWikipedia◆
- 1896Charilaos Vasilakos wins the first modern Olympic marathon race with a time of three hours and 18 minutes.Wikipedia◆
- 1895Before the Société pour L'Encouragement à l'Industrie, brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière demonstrate movie film technology publicly for the first time.Wikipedia◆
- 1894The Stanley Cup ice hockey competition is held for the first time, in Montreal, Canada.Wikipedia◆
- 1871In North Carolina, William Woods Holden becomes the first governor of a U.S. state to be removed from office by impeachment.Wikipedia◆
- British Left Waffles on Falkland IslandsHall of Fame◆
- 1984CAVALIERS DEFEAT KNICKS BY 100-99The New York Times◆
- 2023California storm siege leaves five dead amid reports of tornadoes in some areasThe Guardian◆
- 2018John Bolton to replace McMaster as Trump's national security adviserThe Guardian◆
- 1963Please Please Me, the first album recorded by the Beatles, was released.Wikipedia◆
- 1960Arthur Leonard Schawlow and Charles Hard Townes receive the first patent for a laser.Wikipedia◆
- 1896Charilaos Vasilakos (pictured) won the first modern marathon in preparation for the inaugural Summer Olympics.Wikipedia◆
- 1871William Woods Holden, Governor of North Carolina, became the first U.S. state governor to be removed from office through impeachment.Wikipedia◆
- 1913Phan Xích Long, the self-proclaimed emperor of Vietnam, was arrested for organising a revolt against the colonial rule of French Indochina, which was nevertheless carried out by his supporters the following day.Wikipedia◆
- 1794The Slave Trade Act, which banned the export of slaves from the United States, was signed by George WashingtonWikipedia◆
- 1896Charilaos Vasilakos wins the first modern Olympic marathon race with a time of three hours and 18 minutes.Wikipedia◆
- 1895Before the Société pour L'Encouragement à l'Industrie, brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière demonstrate movie film technology publicly for the first time.Wikipedia◆
- 1894The Stanley Cup ice hockey competition is held for the first time, in Montreal, Canada.Wikipedia◆
- 1871In North Carolina, William Woods Holden becomes the first governor of a U.S. state to be removed from office by impeachment.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Reese Witherspoon1976- Keegan-Michael Key1971
- William Shatner1931
22 March in history
1 eventEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
We are adding more verified events for this date - more coming soon.
Showing 1 event
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — March 22
1963 First everPlease Please Me, the first album recorded by the Beatles, was released.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1960 First everArthur Leonard Schawlow and Charles Hard Townes receive the first patent for a laser.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1896 First everCharilaos Vasilakos (pictured) won the first modern marathon in preparation for the inaugural Summer Olympics.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1871 First everWilliam Woods Holden, Governor of North Carolina, became the first U.S. state governor to be removed from office through impeachment.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1913 WeirdPhan Xích Long, the self-proclaimed emperor of Vietnam, was arrested for organising a revolt against the colonial rule of French Indochina, which was nevertheless carried out by his supporters the following day.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2023The GuardianCalifornia storm siege leaves five dead amid reports of tornadoes in some areasPacific storm brought damaging winds and more rain and snow to saturated state, as heavy rain and snowmelt may cause…
Read on The Guardian →
2018The GuardianJohn Bolton to replace McMaster as Trump's national security adviserMcMaster, 55, to step down and Trump announces John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the UN, as his replacement
Read on The Guardian →- 1984The New York TimesCAVALIERS DEFEAT KNICKS BY 100-99
After hitting on only 2 of his first 11 shots from the floor, World B. Free unleashed his famed jump shot with uncann…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineBritish Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “Please Please Me, the first album recorded by the Beatles, was released.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
Please Please Me, the first album recorded by the Beatles, was released.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1960 First ever
Arthur Leonard Schawlow and Charles Hard Townes receive the first patent for a laser.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1896 First ever
Charilaos Vasilakos (pictured) won the first modern marathon in preparation for the inaugural Summer Olympics.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 22 March — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
3
1931Birth
Birth of William Shatner
Actor William Shatner born in Montreal, famous as Captain Kirk in Star Trek.
1971Birth
Keegan-Michael Key born
Keegan-Michael Key was born. American comedian.
1976Birth
Reese Witherspoon born
Reese Witherspoon was born. American actress.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Suicide
30 BCDeath
Cleopatra dies
Cleopatra, queen of the ptolemaic kingdom, died on this day in 30 BC. Suicide (historically debated, asp bite). Remembered as: The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt.
Assassinated
1980Death
John Lennon dies
John Lennon, musician, died on this day in 1980. Assassinated in New York City. Remembered as: Co-lead vocalist and founder of The Beatles.
Suicide
1962Death
Marilyn Monroe dies
Marilyn Monroe, actress and model, died on this day in 1962. Barbiturate overdose. Remembered as: Iconic actress and sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s.
Accident
2020Death
Kobe Bryant dies
Kobe Bryant, professional basketball player, died on this day in 2020. Helicopter crash. Remembered as: Five-time NBA champion with the LA Lakers.
Accident
2012Death
Whitney Houston dies
Whitney Houston, singer and actress, died on this day in 2012. Accidental drowning. Remembered as: One of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Famous birthdays
23 this weekToday · 22 March
- Reese WitherspoonAmerican actress (born 1976)Born 1976 · 50 years ago today
- Keegan-Michael KeyAmerican actor and comedian (born 1971)Born 1971 · 55 years ago today
- William ShatnerCanadian actor (born 1931)Born 1931 · 95 years ago today
Coming up this week
Sarah JefferyCanadian actress (born 1996)23 March · born 1996
Melissa RauchAmerican actress (born 1980)23 March · born 1980
Jason KiddAmerican basketball player and coach (born 1973)23 March · born 1973
Wernher von BraunGerman American aerospace engineer (1912–1977)23 March · born 1912
Jessica ChastainAmerican actress and producer (born 1977)24 March · born 1977
Peyton ManningAmerican football player (born 1976)24 March · born 1976
Day of Recognition22 March
World Water Day
Highlights the importance of freshwater and advocates for sustainable water management.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 22 March.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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