September 22, 2026 – Historical Events & Birthdays
September 22 marks important moments in Arizona and American history, notable milestones in science, memorable achievements in sports and culture, and the birthdays of several influential figures—including University of Arizona basketball legend Lute Olson.
🌵 Arizona & the Southwest
1917 – Draft resisters crowd the Nogales jail
The Nogales jail was reportedly overflowing with draft resisters from several states, highlighting the Arizona border city’s role during World War I.
1964 – Apollo engine tested at White Sands
Engineers at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility near Las Cruces conducted the first test firing of the 20,000-pound-thrust engine designed for the Apollo Service Module.
🇺🇸 American History
1776 – Nathan Hale is executed as a spy
American officer Nathan Hale was hanged by the British in New York after volunteering to gather intelligence for the Continental Army. His reported final words later made him an enduring symbol of Revolutionary-era service.
1789 – Office of the Postmaster General established
Congress created the office of Postmaster General as part of the early federal government’s organization under the Constitution.
1862 – Lincoln issues the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln announced that enslaved people in states still in rebellion would be declared free on January 1, 1863. The preliminary proclamation helped redefine the Civil War as a struggle against slavery and opened the way for Black enlistment in the Union Army.
1919 – Nationwide steel strike begins
A major steel strike began in Pennsylvania before spreading across the country. It became one of the largest labor conflicts of the post–World War I period.
1975 – Attempted assassination of President Ford
Sara Jane Moore fired at President Gerald Ford outside a San Francisco hotel but missed; a bystander helped prevent a second shot.
🌍 Politics & World History
1948 – “Candy bomber” flights begin during the Berlin Airlift
U.S. pilot Gail Halvorsen began dropping small parachutes carrying candy to children during the Berlin Blockade. The gesture became one of the airlift’s best-known humanitarian symbols.
1965 – India-Pakistan cease-fire takes effect
Following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, a United Nations–mandated cease-fire took effect. The UN established observation arrangements to help monitor the cessation of hostilities.
1980 – Iran-Iraq War begins
Iraq invaded Iran on September 22, initiating a war that lasted nearly eight years and reshaped Persian Gulf politics and security.
🔬 Science & Technology
1966 – NASA’s Surveyor 2 crashes on the Moon
After a failed midcourse maneuver left the spacecraft tumbling, Surveyor 2 impacted the lunar surface near the crater Copernicus.
1993 – Space Shuttle Discovery lands after STS-51
Discovery returned to Kennedy Space Center after deploying the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite and conducting the ORFEUS-SPAS astronomy mission.
2006 – Hinode solar observatory launches
Japan’s Hinode spacecraft launched to study the Sun’s magnetic fields, corona and solar eruptions with coordinated optical, ultraviolet and X-ray instruments.
🎭 Culture & the Arts
1969 – The Band releases its self-titled album
The Band’s second album, featuring “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and “Up on Cripple Creek,” became a landmark of roots rock and Americana.
1985 – First Farm Aid concert is held
Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the inaugural Farm Aid benefit at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in Champaign. About 80,000 people attended to support U.S. family farmers.
1994 – Friends premieres
NBC broadcast the first episode of the American sitcom Friends, beginning a 10-season run that became one of television’s defining comedy successes.
⚽ Sports
1911 – Cy Young wins his 511th and final game
At age 44, Cy Young defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1–0, for the final victory of his major-league career.
1936 – Detroit records a double shutout
The Detroit Tigers swept a doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns, winning 12–0 and 14–0—the largest double shutout in major-league history.
1972 – Soviet Union defeats Canada in the Summit Series
The Soviet Union scored five third-period goals to defeat Canada, 5–4, in Moscow, taking a 3–1–1 lead in the eight-game hockey series.
1977 – Bert Blyleven throws a no-hitter
Texas Rangers pitcher Bert Blyleven no-hit the California Angels, 6–0, at Anaheim Stadium.
🎂 Notable Birthdays – September 22
1791 – Michael Faraday
English scientist Michael Faraday’s pioneering work in electromagnetism and electrochemistry helped establish the foundations of modern electrical engineering.
1908 – Esphyr Slobodkina
Russian-American artist, author and illustrator Esphyr Slobodkina was best known for creating the enduring children’s picture book Caps for Sale.
1920 – Bob Lemon
Hall of Fame Cleveland pitcher Bob Lemon won 207 major-league games and later managed the New York Yankees to the 1978 World Series championship.
1927 – Tommy Lasorda
Hall of Fame Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda led Los Angeles to four National League pennants and two World Series titles.
1934 – Lute Olson
Hall of Fame basketball coach Lute Olson led the University of Arizona to the 1997 NCAA championship and five Final Four appearances.
1957 – Nick Cave
Australian singer-songwriter and author Nick Cave is the leader of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, acclaimed for influential work in alternative rock.
1958 – Joan Jett
American rock singer, guitarist and producer Joan Jett’s hits with the Blackhearts helped make her a central figure in the history of women in rock.
1958 – Andrea Bocelli
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli became one of the world’s best-known classical-crossover recording artists, selling millions of albums internationally.
Summary
September 22 brings together Arizona’s wartime history, major turning points in the United States and the world, milestones in space exploration, memorable sports achievements and the birthdays of artists, scientists, athletes and leaders whose work continues to shape public life.
