Fact 1: The Sun's Shining Longest on June 22
On June 22, people living in the Northern Hemisphere experience the longest hours of daylight in the year. This is a result of the Summer Solstice, which usually occurs between June 20 to 22. The sun reaches its highest point in the sky, resulting in the most daylight hours. This astronomical event varies upon geographical location, with extremely high latitudes like Alaska experiencing 24 hours of daylight, known as 'midnight sun'.
Fact 2: The Pledge of Allegiance Was Recognized on June 22
On June 22, 1942, the United States of America officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance. The US Congress included the phrase "under God" within the pledge on June 14, 1954, but the initial recognition happened twelve years before on the same day, June 22.
Fact 3: Austria’s Liberation
June 22, 1946, marked the day when Austria was proclaimed independent by the Allied Forces, after seven years of being administered by the Four Occupying Powers- the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France after World War II. While the full sovereignty was reinstated in 1955, the initial Proclamation of Independence occurred on June 22.
Fact 4: Introduction of the Volkswagen Beetle
The iconic Volkswagen Beetle was first produced on June 22, 1934. Subject of a sketch by hitler, Ferdinand Porsche began designing the 'people’s car' leading to its official launch on this day. The Beetle went on to become a cultural symbol of the 1960s and is still fondly remembered today.
Fact 5: The Birth of Cyndi Lauper
Music lovers will appreciate this one: Beloved pop icon Cyndi Lauper was born on this day in 1953. Known for her eclectic fashion and catchy tunes, Lauper's career saw soaring heights after her debut album which included hits like ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun,’ and ‘Time After Time.’
Fact 6: The Debut of Meryl Streep
Another June 22 milestone in the entertainment industry- Meryl Streep, one of the most acclaimed actresses in Hollywood, made her Broadway debut in 1975 in “Trelawny of the Wells”. She would later go on to receive a remarkable 21 Academy Award nominations, winning three.
Fact 7: The FBI’s Most Wanted
The Federal Bureau of Investigation in the U.S initiated the 'Ten Most Wanted Fugitives' program on June 22, 1950. This action derived from a news story in 1949 that highlighted the "toughest guys" the FBI wanted to capture, thus leading to the official program launch.
Fact 8: E.T Conquered Box Office
On June 22, 1982, Steven Spielberg's E.T the Extra-Terrestrial premiered and became the highest-grossing film of all time until it was surpassed by Jurassic Park in 1993. A tale of friendship between a young boy and an alien, E.T remains a timeless classic till this date.
Fact 9: The Launch of Windows 98
Computer history was made on June 25, 1998, when Microsoft launched Windows 98. As the second major release in the Windows 9x line of operating systems, it included many enhancements and introduced notable features like the Quick Launch toolbar and support for multiple monitors.
Fact 10: Father’s Day is Celebrated in Haiti
In Haiti, families celebrate Father’s Day every June 22, honoring fatherhood and paternal bonds. Unlike in many western cultures where Father's Day is observed on the third Sunday of June, Haiti consistently celebrates it on June 22 regardless of the day of the week it falls on.
Fact 11: Dan Brown’s Birthday
Bestselling author of ‘The Da Vinci Code’, Dan Brown was born on June 22, 1964. His novels, often focused on cryptography and historical themes, have been translated into 57 languages and have sold over 200 million copies worldwide.
Fact 12: The Birth of Film Scoring
Max Steiner, one of the first composers to write music scores for films, was born on June 22, 1888. Steiner largely contributed to the development of film scoring, with his most notable work being the score for the iconic film 'Gone with the Wind.'
Fact 13: First Woman in the U.K Parliament
June 22, 1929 marked the day when Margaret Bondfield became the first woman to be appointed as a member of the U.K Parliament. In 1923, she was one of the first three women— and the first Labor MP— to be elected as a Member of Parliament (MP).
Fact 14: The Sea of Tranquility Affected by Moonquake
A shallow moonquake occurred on June 22, 1972, in the Sea of Tranquility, the same area where the Apollo 11 mission landed. This discovery showed that the moon was not entirely seismically inactive and that it experiences moonquakes similar to earthquakes on Earth.
Fact 15: Kansas City Massacre
The infamous Kansas City Massacre happened on June 22, 1933. The shootout and murder incident between officers of the FBI and criminal gang members, particularly Vernon Miller and 'Pretty Boy' Floyd, led to calls for the expansion and technocratization of federal law enforcement.
Fact 16: Pablo Picasso’s Exhibition
Art history was affected on June 22, 1932, when an exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s works opened at the Kunsthaus Zurich in Switzerland. It was the largest collection of his works showcased until that date, solidifying his place into the annals of art history.
Fact 17: Philippine Independence
June 22, 1901, marked the day of the independence of the Republic of Zamboanga, a former republic on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It was the first instance of Philippine independence after the Spanish-American war.
Fact 18: The Saxophone Patent
Music lovers and musicians may appreciate this one: the patent for the saxophone was submitted by Adolphe Sax on June 22, 1846. The saxophone has since developed into a significant instrument in classical music and jazz.
Fact 19: A Scientific Fly
The Drosophila melanogaster, a species of fruit fly often used in genetic research, was first used in a published experiment on June 22, 1910. These experiments paved the way for its subsequent use as a model organism in genetic research.
Fact 20: The Release of Bruce Springsteen's Album
Cherished singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen released his acclaimed album "Born in the U.S.A." on June 22, 1984. It went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time and significantly boosted Springsteen’s career.