December 22 in History
December 22 is the birthday of Callan McKenna (2006) and the anniversary of the death of Chris Rea (2025). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for December 22, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Diocletian, Roman emperor was born in 244, while Vitellius, Roman emperor died in AD 69.
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Famous people born on December 22
Famous people who died on December 22
2017
Gonzalo Morales Sáurez (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Gonzalo Morales Sáurez, Costa Rican painter (born 1945)
2002
Desmond Hoyte (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
President of Guyana, politician, lawyer (1929–2002)
What happened on December 22
- 2018
A tsunami caused by an eruption of Anak Krakatau in Indonesia kills at least 430 people and injures almost a thousand more.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2018
The 2018–2019 United States federal government shutdown, the second-longest shutdown of the U.S. federal government in history, begins.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2017
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2397 against North Korea is unanimously approved.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2016
A study finds the VSV-EBOV vaccine against the Ebola virus between 70 and 100% effective, making it the first proven vaccine against the disease.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2012
Bashir Ahmad Bilour of Awami National Party and eight others are killed in a Pakistan Taliban bomber suicide attack in Dhaki Nalbandi area near Qissa Khwani Bazaar.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2010
The repeal of the Don't ask, don't tell policy, the 17-year-old policy banning homosexuals serving openly in the United States military, is signed into law by President Barack Obama.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2008
An ash dike ruptures at a solid waste containment area for a Tennessee Valley Authority coal-fired power plant in Roane County, Tennessee, releasing 4.2 million m3 (1.1 billion US gal) of coal fly ash slurry in the largest industrial spill in U.S. history.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2001
Burhanuddin Rabbani, political leader of the Northern Alliance, hands over power in Islamic State of Afghanistan to the interim government headed by President Hamid Karzai.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2001
Richard Reid attempts to destroy a passenger airliner by igniting explosives hidden in his shoes aboard American Airlines Flight 63.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1999
Just after taking off from London Stansted Airport, Korean Air Cargo Flight 8509 crashes into Hatfield Forest near Great Hallingbury, killing all four people on board.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1997
Acteal massacre: Attendees at a prayer meeting of Roman Catholic activists for indigenous causes in the small village of Acteal in the Mexican state of Chiapas are massacred by paramilitary forces.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1997
Somali Civil War: Hussein Farrah Aidid relinquishes the disputed title of President of Somalia by signing the Cairo Declaration, in Cairo, Egypt. It is the first major step towards reconciliation in Somalia since 1991.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1996
Airborne Express Flight 827 crashes in Narrows, Virginia, killing all six people on board.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1992
During approach to Tripoli International Airport, a Boeing 727 operating as Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 1103 collides in mid-air with a Libyan Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23, killing 157 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1990
Lech Wałęsa is elected President of Poland.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on December 22
- 244 — Diocletian, Roman emperor (died 311)
- 948 — Kang Kam-ch'an, Korean official and general (died 1031)
- 1095 — Roger II of Sicily (died 1154)
Died on December 22
- AD 69 — Vitellius, Roman emperor (born 15)
- 731 — Yuan Qianyao, official of the Chinese Tang dynasty
- 1012 — Baha' al-Dawla, Buyid amir of Iraq
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for December 22
Quick answers
Who was born on December 22? Callan McKenna (2006), Camila Osorio (2001), Jack Draper (2001).
Who died on December 22? Chris Rea (2025), Ram Dass (2019), Paddy Ashdown (2018).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in December? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the December 22 historical article above.
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