January 22 arrives carrying a mix of moments that sit far apart in time yet share the same date. Some are tied to machines lifting off the ground, others to lives that shaped culture, politics, or memory in quieter ways. The day has seen experiments in space, shifts in how people travelled across oceans, and personal milestones that still echo in public life. It also holds reminders of endings, where influence outlasted power or fame. Looking back at January 22 is less about a single theme and more about how different strands of history pause briefly on the same square of the calendar. What follows is a selection of events and anniversaries that give the date its texture and weight today.
Historical events that happened on 22nd January
1968 – Apollo 5 ascended into space with the first Lunar ModuleThe uncrewed Apollo 5 mission took off on January 22, 1968. It was the first time the Lunar Module (LM) had been tested in Earth orbit, and it successfully showed how its descent and ascent engines worked. This was a key step before the first Moon landing.1970 – The first commercial flight of the Boeing 747 took off from London and landed in New YorkOn January 22, 1970, Pan Am (Pan American World Airways) flew the first commercial flight of the Boeing 747 from New York’s JFK Airport to London’s Heathrow Airport. This was a momentous milestone in air travel since it made widespread international travel possible with its huge capacity and elegance.1992 – Dr. Roberta Bondar became the first Canadian woman and the world’s first neurologist to go into spaceDr. Roberta Bondar made history on January 22, 1992, when she became the first Canadian woman and the first neurologist in the world to journey into space. She flew as a payload specialist on NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-42) for an eight-day mission to investigate microgravity.
On this day in history: Key events of 22nd January
Birth anniversary
22nd January in history is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the following personalities:Thakur Roshan Singh (22 January 1892 – 19 December 1927)Thakur Roshan Singh was not among those who robbed the treasury outside Kakori station near Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on August 9, 1925, but he was hung in Allahabad’s Naini jail on December 19, 1927. The British concluded that Roshan had a role in robbery. Despite being a member of the Bengal Anushilan Samiti, Keshav went to Roshan Singh. All evidence has been found against him. T.M. Krishna (22 January 1976)A qualified Carnatic singer from India. He received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2016. Along with him, another Indian, Bezwada Wilson, earned this prize. Bezwada received this award for his outstanding contributions to the field of human rights, while TM Krishna received it for his efforts to promote social harmony through culture.Tarun Ram Phukan (22 January 1877 – 24 July 1939) Was a well-known Indian freedom warrior, politician, writer, and leader from Assam, also known as Deshbhakta due to his unwavering passion for the motherland. He was close to Mahatma Gandhi and played an important role in strengthening the Indian National Congress in Assam.
Death anniversary
22nd January in history is observed as the death anniversary of the following personalities:Shah Jahan (Jan 5, 1592 – Jan 22, 1666) Shah Jahan was the fifth Mughal Emperor, best known for his opulent architectural patronage, most notably the Taj Mahal, which he built in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal; this mausoleum represents the pinnacle of Mughal artistry and grandeur, even though he died as a prisoner under his son Aurangzeb and was buried alongside his wife in the iconic structure. A. Nageswara Rao (20 September 1924 – 22 January 2014)A well-known Telugu film actor and producer in Indian cinema. In recognition of his tremendous contribution to the arts, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-best civilian award, in 2011 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honour, in 1990.
