Explore the fascinating events in world history that occurred on the 22nd of May — from the release of the first world atlas and Iceland’s first modern census to the invention of the toothpaste tube, the launch of Pac-Man, and India’s Agni rocket. A perfect educational read for curious students.
22nd May
Dear Students,
Before I share the historical events of the 22nd of May, let us first pay tribute to Raja Ram Mohan Roy — the first modern Indian, the founder of the Brahmo Samaj, and the one responsible for the abolition of Sati Daha in our country.
Now, coming to the events of the 22nd of May, they are quite fascinating and might interest you.
For instance, it was on the 22nd of May, 1570, that the first-ever world atlas Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre of the World) — which was published on the 20th of May — was made available to the public by Abraham Ortelius in Antwerp. It contained 70 maps.
Again, it was on this day in the year 1702 that the commission for the first census of Iceland was issued — the first modern census, carried out by Professor Árni Magnússon and Vice Chancellor Páll Vídalín (1702–03). A census refers to the official count of a country’s population. Just for your information, the first-ever modern census in India was conducted in the year 1811, and the most recent one was in 2011.
Furthermore, it was on the 22nd of May, 1805, that Governor-General Lord Wellesley arranged a permanent provision for the Mughal Emperor of Delhi through an official order.
Students, carbonated or aerated drinks are not good for your health, so it is advised not to consume them in school. However, for the sake of historical interest, let me inform you that it was on this day in 1807 that Townsend Speakman sold the first-ever fruit-flavoured carbonated drinks in Philadelphia.
Skyscrapers — a term that’s quite common these days — refer to extremely tall buildings. And it was on the 22nd of May, 1888, that Leroy Buffington received a patent to build skyscrapers. Did you know the tallest building in the world today is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai? It stands at a height of 2,722 feet and has 163 floors!
We all brush our teeth in the morning — but did you know it was on this day in 1892 that Dr Washington Sheffield invented the toothpaste tube? Prior to that, people mostly used tooth powder to clean their teeth.
Many of you play video games, don’t you? But did you know it was on this day in 1980 that the iconic video game Pac-Man, created by Toru Iwatani, was first released in Japan?
And finally, it was on the 22nd of May, 1992, that India launched the Agni rocket.
Take care and enjoy the day!
