Historical Events and Birthdays on June 22

Historical Events on June 22

1986: Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal led Argentina to a 2-1 victory over England in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. Later, Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2, winning the World Cup.

1815: Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated as Emperor of France for the second time.

1938: Joe Louis defeated Max Schmeling in a symbolic boxing match in New York, retaining his heavyweight title.

1941: Nazi Germany commenced Operation Barbarossa, invading the Soviet Union.

1944: President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill, aiding veterans with education, unemployment support, and loans.

1945: The Battle of Okinawa concluded with an Allied victory in World War II.

1970: President Nixon extended the Voting Rights Act, lowering the voting age to 18.

1977: John N. Mitchell became the first former U.S. Attorney General to be imprisoned for the Watergate cover-up.

1981: Mark David Chapman pled guilty to the murder of John Lennon.

1992: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against hate crime laws that infringed on free speech rights in R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul.

2009: A deadly Metro train accident occurred in Washington, D.C., killing nine people.

2011: Mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger was captured after 16 years in hiding.

2012: Jerry Sandusky was convicted on 45 counts of sexual assault, receiving a lengthy prison sentence.

2022: An earthquake in Afghanistan claimed over 1,000 lives, with many more injured.

2025: U.S. forces attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities with bunker buster bombs and cruise missiles.

Notable Birthdays on June 22

• Klaus Maria Brandauer, actor, is 83.
• Peter Asher, musician-producer, is 82.
• Todd Rundgren, musician-producer, is 78.
• Meryl Streep, actor, is 77.
• Lindsay Wagner, actor, is 77.
• Elizabeth Warren, senator, is 77.
• Cyndi Lauper, singer-songwriter, is 73.
• Bruce Campbell, actor, is 68.
• Erin Brockovich, environmental activist, is 66.
• Adam Schiff, senator, is 66.
• Clyde Drexler, Basketball Hall of Famer, is 64.
• Amy Brenneman, actor, is 62.
• Mary Lynn Rajskub, actor, is 55.
• Kurt Warner, Football Hall of Famer, is 55.
• Donald Faison, actor, is 52.
• Champ Bailey, Football Hall of Famer, is 48.
• Dustin Johnson, golfer, is 42.
• Dinah Jane, singer, is 29.
• Sean Kaufman, actor, is 26.