What Happened On
Seconds before the assassination attempt
Seconds before the assassination attempt
Presidential Assassination Attempt
September 22, 1975
Sara Jane Moore fires a gun at U.S. President Gerald Ford. An ex-marine bystander deflected her gun and apprehended her as she fired. Moore later said she was "blinded by her radical political views" and "I am very glad I did not succeed. I know now that I was wrong to try."
She was given a life sentence, but was released from prison in 2007, after serving 32 years.
Two weeks earlier, Charles Manson cult member "Squeaky" Fromme had attempted to assassinate Ford.
Zero Mostel as Tevye
Zero Mostel as Tevye
Fiddler on the Roof
September 22, 1964
The hit play Fiddler on the Roof opens on Broadway. It became the first Broadway musical to run for more than 3,000 performances and went on to win nine Tony awards. It also starred Beatrice Arthur (Yente the matchmaker), who later starred in TV's Maude and Golden Girls, and Bert Convy as Perchick.
Mob beats Freedom Riders in Birmingham, Alabama
Mob beats Freedom Riders in Birmingham, Alabama
Bus Segregation
September 22, 1961
The Interstate Commerce Commission orders the end to segregation on interstate buses. This was largely due to the efforts of the Freedom Riders, who challenged bus segregation by riding as racially-mixed groups.
Aboukir sinking
Aboukir sinking
First Submarine to Sink an Enemy Ship at Sea
September 22, 1914
The German U-9 sinks the HMS Aboukir during World War I. A short while later it sank the HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy.
Charles (left) and Frank Duryea in one of their automobiles
Charles (left) and Frank Duryea in one of their automobiles
First U.S. Gas Automobile
September 22, 1893
The Duryea brothers of Springfield take their automobile for a test drive. It was the first successful gas-powered car in the U.S.
Charles Duryea is considered the "Father of the Automobile." He and his brother Frank Duryea formed the first U.S. automobile company, Duryea Motor Wagon Co. (1895), selling their first car in 1896.
Lincoln demonstrates his deadly advantage to Shields
Lincoln demonstrates his deadly advantage to Shields
Abraham Lincoln Challenged to a Duel
September 22, 1842
Abraham Lincoln had written a letter to local paper calling James Shields a "fool as well as a liar" and describing him, "If I was deaf and blind I could tell him by the smell." Lincoln wrote the first letter under the pseudonym of a farmer named Rebecca. Lincoln's future wife Mary Todd and a close friend continued writing insulting letters to the paper without Lincoln's knowledge. When Lincoln took responsibility for the letters, Shields challenged him to duel. As the one who was challenged, Lincoln had the choice of weapons. Since Shields was an excellent marksman, Lincoln chose a cavalry broadsword which, due to Lincoln's height and long arms, gave him the advantage. They met at a popular dueling site where the two men faced each other with a plank between them that neither was allowed to cross. Lincoln swung his sword cutting a tree branch above Shields, demonstrating to Shields that he was at a fatal disadvantage. The two men then called a truce, later becoming good friends.
Smith receiving the golden plates from the angel Moroni
Smith receiving the golden plates from the angel Moroni
Mormons and the Golden Plates
September 22, 1827
According to Mormon founder Joseph Smith, he is given a set of gold plates by the angel Moroni. Smith, however, was not allowed to let anyone else see the plates. Over the next several years, Smith used a pair of seer stones formed into spectacles, also given to him by Moroni, to translate the plates into the Book of Mormon.
Under the guidance of visions he had found the plates four years earlier, but the angel Moroni would not allow him to take them. He was instructed to return to the plates each year, which he did, and finally on the fourth year Moroni allowed him to retrieve them.
Nathan Hale hanged
Nathan Hale hanged
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country
September 22, 1776
Nathan Hale is hanged by the British during the American Revolution for spying. As he was being hanged, he made his famous proclamation, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
Salem Witch Trials
September 22, 1692
The last eight of the 20 people executed for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts are hanged.
ALF
September 22, 1986
ALF debuts on NBC. The title character, ALF, whose real name is Gordon Shumway, crash-lands in the garage of the Tanner family. ALF is an acronym for "Alien Life Form" and he is an alien from the planet Melmac.
The Reader's Digest Bible
September 22, 1982
The condensed version of the Revised Standard Version (RSV) bible is published. It retained 45% of the Old Testament and 75% of the New Testament making it only 60% the size of the original.
Family Ties
September 22, 1982
Family Ties debuts on NBC. This was U.S. President Ronald Reagan's favorite show.
Toxic Shock Syndrome
September 22, 1980
The Rely Tampon is recalled by Proctor & Gamble after studies showed it increased the risk of toxic shock syndrome.
Charlie's Angels
September 22, 1976
The crime drama Charlie's Angels debuts on ABC, about a trio of female private investigators who take assignments from their unseen boss Charlie, voiced by John Forsythe. Criticized as "Jiggle TV" by critics, it was hugely popular with fans.
Battle of the Long Count
September 22, 1927
During the world heavyweight boxing championship, Gene Tunney is canvassed in the 7th round by Jack Dempsey, but the count was delayed when Dempsey wouldn't move to a neutral corner. Tunney rose at the count of eight and went on to win by a decision.
U.S. Post Office
September 22, 1789
The post office is established by the U.S. Congress.
Birthdays
Scott Baio
Born September 22, 1960
American actor. TV: Happy Days (1977-84, Chachi), Joanie Loves Chachi (1982-83), Charles in Charge (1987-90, title role), and Diagnosis: Murder (1993-95, Dr. Jack Stewart).
Joan Jett (Joan Marie Larkin)
Born September 22, 1958
American singer. Frontwoman for the band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and founding member of The Runaways. Music: I Love Rock 'n' Roll (1982, #1).
Tommy Lasorda
Born September 22, 1927 d. 2021
American baseball pitcher, Hall of Fame baseball manager. Lasorda played in MLB for the Dodgers in 1954 and 1955 and for the Kansas City Athletics in 1956. He coached for the Dodgers from 1973 through 1976 before taking over as manager. Lasorda won two World Series championships as manager of the Dodgers and was twice named Manager of the Year of the National League.
Lasorda managed the U.S. national baseball team at the 2000 Summer Olympics, leading the Americans to the gold medal, beating favored Cuba, which had won the gold medal at the prior two Olympics. This made him the first manager to win a World Series championship and lead a team to Olympic gold.
Quote: "Talking about your troubles is no good. Eighty percent of your friends don't care and the rest are glad."
Debby Boone
Born September 22, 1956
American singer.
Shari Belafonte
Born September 22, 1954
American actress. TV: Hotel (Julie Gillette).
Tabei in 1985
Photo Credit: Jaan Künnap
Tabei in 1985Photo Credit: Jaan Künnap
First Woman to Summit Mt. Everest
Junko Tabei
Born September 22, 1939 d. 2016
Japanese mountaineer. She was the first woman to summit Mt. Everest (1975) and the first woman to ascend all Seven Summits by climbing the highest peak on every continent (1992).
Martha Scott
Born September 22, 1912 d. 2003
American actress. Film: Our Town (1940), The Ten Commandments (1956, Moses' mother), and Ben-Hur (1959, Ben-Hur's mother). TV: The Bob Newhart Show (Bob's mother), Dallas (Sue Ellen's mother), The Six Million Dollar Man (Steve Austin's mother).
Allan "Rocky" Lane (Harold Albershardt)
Born September 22, 1909 d. 1973
American western actor. TV: Mister Ed (1961-66, voice of Mister Ed).
John Houseman (Jacques Haussmann)
Born September 22, 1902 d. 1988
American Oscar-winning actor. Film: The Paper Chase (1973, Oscar). TV: He proclaimed in commercials "They make money the old-fashioned way; They earn it."
Erich Von Stroheim (Erich Oswald Stroheim)
Born September 22, 1885 d. 1957
German-born actor, director. He was billed as "The Man You Love to Hate."
The Faraday disc was the first electric generator (1831)
The Faraday disc was the first electric generator (1831)
Michael Faraday
Born September 22, 1791 d. 1867
English scientist. He discovered electromagnetic induction (1831), the magnetism of light (1845), the compound benzene (1825), and developed the first dynamo.
Deaths
Yogi Berra (Lawrence Peter Berra)
Died September 22, 2015 b. 1925
American baseball Hall of Famer, MVP (1951, 54-55). His famous quotes include:
• "It ain't over till it's over."
• "A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore."
• "Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't go to yours."
• "If the people don't want to come to the park, nobody's going to stop 'em."
Marcel Marceau (Marcel Mangel)
Died September 22, 2007 b. 1923
Emmy-winning French mime. Renowned in the art of silence, his most famous quote is, "". He changed his name to Marceau to hide his Jewish roots during WWII and served in the French underground helping children escape to Switzerland. Film: Barbarella (1968, Professor Ping) and Silent Movie (1976, in which he had the ONLY spoken line).
Lamour in Road to Bali
Lamour in Road to Bali
Dorothy Lamour (Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton)
Died September 22, 1996 b. 1914
American actress. Film: The Jungle Princess (1936, as Ulah) and co-star of all seven Hope-Crosby "road" pictures.
Berlin at age 18
Berlin at age 18
Irving Berlin (Israel Beilin)
Died September 22, 1989 b. 1888
American songwriter. Music: God Bless America (1938) and White Christmas (1942). Recordings of White Christmas have sold over 100,000,000 copies. Berlin wrote White Christmas, even though he was Jewish.
Nathan Hale Hanged
Nathan Hale Hanged
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country
Nathan Hale
Died September 22, 1776 b. 1755
American Revolution officer. While being hanged by the British as a spy he proclaimed "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
Harry Spear (Harry Sherman Bonner)
Died September 22, 2006 b. 1921
American actor, one of the Little Rascals. He appeared in 31 Our Gang films (1927-29, during the silent era).
Gordon Jump
Died September 22, 2003 b. 1932
American actor. TV: WKRP In Cincinnati (1978-82, Mr. Carlson) and the Maytag repairman of the commercials (1989-2003).
George C. Scott
Died September 22, 1999 b. 1927
American Oscar-Emmy-winning actor. Film: Dr. Stangelove (1964) and Patton (1970, Oscar, which he refused, making him the first actor to do so).
Dan Rowan
Died September 22, 1987 b. 1922
American comedian. TV: Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Frederick Soddy
Died September 22, 1956 b. 1877
English chemist, formed the theory of isotopes and won the 1921 Nobel Prize for chemistry.
Clement XIV
Died September 22, 1774 b. 1705
Italian religious leader, 249th Pope (1769-74). He was pressured into issuing a brief abolishing the Jesuits (1773).
Founded Sikhism
Guru Nanak
Died September 22, 1539 b. 1469
Hindu religious leader. Founded the Sikhism religion and was the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
Saint Felix IV
Died September 22, 530 b. ????
religious leader, 54th Pope (526-530).