November 22: Major Historical Events & Birthdays

The Assassination of John F. Kennedy and Other Anniversaries

Nov 19, 2008

November 22 is the anniversary of the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, the birth of the Internet, and the openign of King Tut's tomb.

For Americans, November 22 is right up there with September 11 as a stain on the fabric of American history. On this unforgettable day in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Twenty-five years later to the day, the newly elected president of Lebanon, Rene Moawad, was also assassinated.

Here are some of the major events that happened on this day in history, November 22.

November 22, 1922: King Tut's Tomb is Opened

The discovery of the tomb Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun -- commonly known as King Tut -- caused a worldwide sensation in 1922, sparking interest in Egyptology. King Tut died in 1323 BCE, and his remarkably intact tomb was opened by archaeologist Howard Carter.

November 22, 1963: President John F. Kennedy is Assassinated

On Friday, November 22, 1963 at 12;30 p.m., President John F. Kennedy was mortally wounded while riding in a limousine with his wife Jackie. Texas Governor John Connally, also riding in the car, was also shot and badly injured. Kennedy was declared dead upon arrival at 1:00 p.m. at the hospital, and later that day, Vice President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as president. After a ten-month investigation, the Warren Commission determined that the sole assassin was Lee Harvey Oswald -- who was shot and killed two days later by Jack Ruby on live television. However, the general public has become very skeptical about the Warren Commission findings.

November 22, 1977: The Birth of the Internet

On November 22, 1977, the Department of Defense's growing ARPAnet computer network was connected to two other computer networks. Many consider this revolution connection between three separate networks to be the official birth of the Internet.

November 22, 1989: Lebanese President Rene Moawad is Assassinated

Kennedy may be the best known leader assassinated on November 22, but he wasn't the only one. On November 22, 1989, the newly elected president of Lebanon, Rene Moawad -- a moderate Christian who spoke out in favor of peace and compromise in his war torn nation -- was killed by a bomb that was detonated near his motorcade. Twenty-three others were killed as well, and the assassins have never been found.

November 22, 2005: First Female Chancellor of Germany

On November 22, 2005, Angela Merkel -- a member of the moderately conservative Christian Democratic Union -- became the first female chancellor of Germany. A former physist, Merkel was also the first chancellor from the former East Germany since the country became reunified.

November 22 Birthdays

The copyright of the article November 22: Major Historical Events & Birthdays in Historical Resources is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish November 22: Major Historical Events & Birthdays in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.