November 22
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Featured Event
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
U.S. President John F. Kennedy assassinated
John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States (1961–63), was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas, on this day in 1963.
Featured Biography
Featured Biography
Bruno Barbey/Magnum Photos
Since those whose duty it was to wield the sword of France have let it fall shattered to the ground, I have taken up the broken blade.
Soldier, writer, and statesman Charles de Gaulle, born this day in 1890, commanded the Free French Forces during World War II and was France’s first leader after the war and the architect of the Fifth Republic.
Famous Birthdays
More on November 22
© Sean Gallup/Getty Images
2005
Angela Merkel was sworn in as Germany’s chancellor, becoming the first woman to hold the post. [Test your knowledge of famous firsts for women.]
© 1995 The Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved.
1995
Pixar’s Toy Story, the first entirely computer-animated feature-length film, was released. It became a critical and commercial hit and established a long-running franchise. [Explore a list of every film Pixar has released.]
Lesto Kusumo
1994
Mount Merapi, on the island of Java, erupted, killing 64 people. [Take our quiz about natural disasters.]
AP Images
1990
Margaret Thatcher announced her resignation as British prime minister after a split occurred in the ranks of the Conservative Party. [Test your knowledge of notable prime ministers.]
© Timothy A. Clary—AFP/Getty Images
1986
With a second-round knockout of Trevor Berbick, 20-year-old Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history. [How much do you know about boxing?]
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
1975
Juan Carlos became king of Spain, two days after the death of Francisco Franco. [Take our quiz about kings and emperors.]
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
© Photos.com/Getty Images Plus
1819
Novelist George Eliot—who developed the method of psychological analysis characteristic of modern fiction and was known for such works as Middlemarch (1871–72)—was born in Warwickshire, England. [Learn about nine obscure literary terms.]
The British Library (Public Domain)
1718
The pirate Blackbeard was killed off the coast of North Carolina. [What’s the difference between pirates, privateers, corsairs, and buccaneers?]