Pinup Day
National Pinup Day is celebrated annually on April 22, honoring the timeless allure and cultural significance of pin-up art and fashion. Established in 2019 by Mission Tattoo in Santa Barbara, California, the day pays tribute to the vintage aesthetic that gained prominence in the 1940s and 1950s. The term “pin-up” refers to images—photographs, illustrations, or paintings—of models intended for informal display, often “pinned up” on walls. This style became especially popular during World War II, serving as morale boosters for soldiers. Iconic figures like Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe, and Bettie Page epitomized the pin-up look, blending glamour with approachability. Pin-up art has its roots in the late 19th century, evolving from burlesque performances and theater. By the mid-20th century, it had become a significant aspect of American pop culture, reflecting changing attitudes toward femininity, fashion, and sexuality.
Happy Earth Day
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 to promote environmental awareness and action around the globe. It began in 1970 in the United States as a grassroots movement, and it’s now observed by over 1 billion people in more than 190 countries.
Global Selfie Earth Day
Global Selfie Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22, coinciding with Earth Day. Initiated by NASA in 2014, this campaign encourages individuals worldwide to take selfies in their local environments and share them on social media using the hashtag #GlobalSelfie. The goal is to foster environmental awareness and appreciation for our planet’s diverse landscapes. In 2014, NASA launched the #GlobalSelfie campaign as part of its “Earth Right Now” initiative. The agency invited people to take selfies in their surroundings and post them online with the hashtag #GlobalSelfie. These images were then compiled into a mosaic, creating a composite image of Earth made up of thousands of individual photos.
April 22 has witnessed numerous significant events, notable births, and impactful deaths throughout history.
Historical Events
1500 – Discovery of Brazil: Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral landed on the coast of present-day Brazil, claiming it for Portugal.
1889 – Oklahoma Land Rush: At noon, thousands of settlers raced to claim nearly 1.9 million acres of land in the Unassigned Lands, leading to the rapid establishment of cities like Oklahoma City and Guthrie.
1915 – First Large-Scale Use of Chemical Weapons: During World War I, German forces launched a chlorine gas attack against Allied troops at the Second Battle of Ypres, marking a grim milestone in warfare.
1970 – First Earth Day: Initiated by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, the first Earth Day mobilized approximately 20 million Americans to advocate for environmental protection, leading to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and significant environmental legislation.
1994 – Death of Richard Nixon: Former U.S. President Richard Nixon died at the age of 81, four days after suffering a stroke.
2000 – Elian González Seized: In a pre-dawn raid, U.S. federal agents removed 6-year-old Cuban boy Elian González from his relatives’ home in Miami, reuniting him with his father amidst an international custody dispute.
2016 – Signing of the Paris Agreement: Representatives from 175 countries signed the Paris Agreement at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, committing to combat climate change and limit global warming.
Famous Birthdays
1451 – Isabella I of Castile: Queen of Castile and León, she sponsored Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage, leading to the European discovery of the Americas.
1724 – Immanuel Kant: German philosopher known for his work in epistemology and ethics, particularly the “Critique of Pure Reason.”
1870 – Vladimir Lenin: Russian revolutionary leader and founder of the Soviet Union.
On This Day
1899 – Vladimir Nabokov: Russian-American novelist, best known for his novel “Lolita.”
1937 – Jack Nicholson: American actor and filmmaker, acclaimed for roles in films like “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Shining.”
UPI
1950 – Peter Frampton: English rock musician, known for hits like “Show Me the Way” and the live album “Frampton Comes Alive!”
1984 – Machine Gun Kelly: American rapper and actor, recognized for his rapid-fire lyrical style and roles in films.
Notable Deaths
1616 – Miguel de Cervantes: Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright, best known for “Don Quixote,” considered one of the greatest works in literature.
On This Day
1933 – Henry Royce: British engineer and co-founder of Rolls-Royce, renowned for advancements in automotive and aviation engineering.
1984 – Ansel Adams: American photographer and environmentalist, celebrated for his black-and-white images of the American West.
1994 – Richard Nixon: 37th President of the United States, known for his foreign policy achievements and the Watergate scandal leading to his resignation.
2025 – Zurab Tsereteli: Georgian-Russian painter, sculptor, and architect, recognized for his large-scale monuments and contributions to public art.
