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May 22 in History: “Mister Rogers” Debuts, Pac-Man Arrives, and Grand Rapids LipDub Takes Over Downtown

Scott Winters May 22, 2026 1 Comment

Discover what happened on May 22 in history, along with notable events that shaped television, technology, music, and Michigan history.

What Happened on May 22 in History?

Important events on this day include the debut of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, the release of Pac-Man, and the filming of the massive Grand Rapids LipDub video.

MAY 22 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1761 – In Philadelphia, PA, the first life insurance policy was issued in the U.S.

1819 – The steamship Savannah became the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

1841 – Henry Kennedy received a patent for the first reclining chair.

1849 – Future President Abraham Lincoln received a patent for the floating dry dock. It was an invention to lift boats over obstacles in a river, making him the only President to ever hold a patent.

1868 – Near Marshfield, IN, the “Great Train Robbery” took place. The robbery was worth $96,000 in cash, gold and bonds to the seven members of the Reno gang.

1892 – Dr. Washington Sheffield invented the toothpaste tube.

1900 – The Associated Press was incorporated as a non-profit news cooperative in New York, NY.

1900 – A. DeVilbiss, Jr. patented his pendulum-type computing scale.

1900 – Edwin S. Votey received a patent for the pianola (a pneumatic piano player). It could be attached to any piano.

1906 – The Wright brothers received a patent their “flying machine”.

1955 – A scheduled dance to be headlined by Fats Domino was canceled by police in Bridgeport, CT, because “rock and roll dances might be featured.”

1956 – The NBC peacock made it’s debut, fanning it’s feathers featuring 11 vibrant colors. NBC’s first color broadcasts showed only a still frame of the colorful bird.

1967 – Children across the United States began turning on the TV to watch a single man take off his sweater and shoes and play with puppets. The children’s television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” premiered on PBS, featuring Rev. Fred Rogers, a Presbyterian minister.

1967 – TV game show “To Tell the Truth” aired its last program on CBS.

1969 – A lunar module of Apollo 10 flew within nine miles of the moon’s surface. The event was a rehearsal for the first lunar landing.

1977 – Janet Guthrie set the fastest time during the second weekend of qualifying, becoming the first woman to earn a starting spot in the Indianapolis 500 since its inception in 1911.

1980 – Namco released the arcade game “Pac-Man”.

1985 – Pete Rose passed Hank Aaron as National League run scoring leader with 2,108.

1986 – Sylvester Stallone agreed to a 10-picture, six-year deal with United Artists. He signed for a reported $15 million for each film, making him at the time the richest actor in Hollywood.

1990 – Microsoft released Windows 3.0.

1992 – 66-year old Johnny Carson hosted the NBC late night TV show, “The Tonight Show”, for the last time. He had been host for 30 years.

1993 – The final episode of the TV show “Save By the Bell” aired.

1995 – The final episode of the NBC TV sitcom “Blossom” aired.

1996 – The movie “Mission: Impossible”, starring Tom Cruise, debuted in theaters.

1997 – Kelly Flinn, the U.S. Air Force’s first female bomber pilot certified for combat, accepted a general discharge. She thereby avoided court-martial on charges of adultery, lying and disobeying an order.

1998 – Microsoft included the game of Solitaire within their release of Windows 3.0.

1998 – A federal judge said that Secret Service agents could be compelled to testify before a grand jury in Monica Lewinsky investigation concerning President Bill Clinton.

2002 – Chandra Levy’s remains were found in Washington, DC’s Rock Creek Park. She was last seen on April 30, 2001. California Congressman Gary Condit was questioned in the case due to his relationship with Levy.

2002 – Barry Bonds, of the San Francisco Giants, hit his 583rd career home run. He tied Mark McGwire for fifth on the all-time list.

2003 – At the Colonial in Fort Worth, TX, Annika Sorenstam became the first woman to play on the PGA tour in 58 years. She ended the day at 1-over par.

2004 – The town of Hallam, NE, was wiped out by a powerful F4 tornado which killed one resident and became the widest tornado on record at 2.5 miles wide. That record wouldn’t be broken until the El Reno tornado on May 31st, 2013.

2011 – The Grand Rapids LipDub was filmed. Over 5,000 people participated and most of downtown Grand Rapids was shut down to film the video, which featured a parade, a wedding, and helicopter take offs — all planned out precisely. It was the largest LipDub video to date. You can watch the video here. The video has 6 million views on YouTube.

2011 – Joplin, MO was struck by an EF5 tornado that wiped out about 8,000 houses, 18,000 cars, and 450 businesses were destroyed and at least 160 lives were lost in its wake. It caused $2.8 billion in damages — the costliest and seventh deadliest single tornado in U.S. history.

2012 – The Tokyo Skytree was opened to the public. It is the tallest tower in the world and the second tallest machine-made structure on Earth.

2017 – Twenty-two people were killed at an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena bombing. It was an Islamist terrorist attack in Manchester, United Kingdom.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON MAY 22:

Richard Benjamin – 88 years old (1938) – Actor and director

Kieth Merrill – 86 years old (1940) – Filmmaker

Tommy John – 83 years old (1943) – Baseball player

Kenneth Bianchi – 75 years old (1951) – Serial killer and rapist

Shuji Nakamura – 72 years old (1954) – Japanese-American physicist and engineer, Nobel Prize laureate

Lisa Murkowski – 69 years old (1957) – Lawyer and politician

David Blatt – 67 years old (1959) – Israeli-American basketball player and coach

Olin Browne – 67 years old (1959) – Golfer

Andrew Magee – 64 years old (1962) – French-American golfer

Jay Carney – 61 years old (1965) – Journalist, 29th White House Press Secretary

Johnny Gill – 60 years old (1966) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Michael Kelly – 57 years old (1969) – Actor

Cathy McMorris Rodgers – 57 years old (1969) – Lawyer and politician

Max Brooks – 54 years old (1972) – Author and screenwriter

Sean Gunn – 52 years old (1974) – Actor

Christian Vande Velde – 50 years old (1976) – Cyclist

Ginnifer Goodwin – 48 years old (1978) – Actress

Nazanin Boniadi – 47 years old (1979) – Iranian-American actress

Maggie Q – 47 years old (1979) – Actress

Sharice Davids – 46 years old (1980) – Politician

Bryan Danielson – 45 years old (1981) – Wrestler

Apolo Ohno – 44 years old (1982) – Speed skater

Natasha Kai – 43 years old (1983) – Soccer player and Olympic medalist

Dustin Moskovitz – 42 years old (1984) – Entrepreneur, co-founder of Facebook

Julian Edelman – 40 years old (1986) – Football player

Corey Dickerson – 37 years old (1989) – Baseball player

Anna Baryshnikov – 34 years old (1992) – Actress

Emma Chamberlain – 25 years old (2001) – Internet personality

Anthony Richardson – 24 years old (2002) – Football player

Peyton Elizabeth Lee – 22 years old (2004) – Actress

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MAY 22:

Sherlock Holmes Day: Dig out a book, fire up any one of about a million TV or movie adaptations, or go solve a mystery of your own to honor the one and only Sherlock Holmes.
National Maritime Day: Learn about the contributions of maritime workers such as transporters, and the regulations, safety rules, and security that goes into those crucial jobs.
Don’t Fry Day: Be aware of the dangers of sun exposure and try hosting an indoor picnic or movie marathon on the Council for Skin Cancer Prevention’s No Fry Day.
Bitcoin Pizza Day: Celebrating the historic transaction that marked the first-ever purchase made using cryptocurrency, pioneering the future of finance.
World Goth Day: Dig out that thick black eyeliner and safety-pin-riddled pants and let your inner goth out for a day. If you don’t feel like dressing the part, explore Gothic media.
National Solitaire Day: Shuffle up and deal yourself a game of Solitaire! This timeless classic is the perfect escape from the chaos of the world. So sit back, relax, and let the satisfying clicks of shuffling cards soothe your soul.
Harvey Milk Day: Join LGBTQ people around the world in honoring the contributions made by Harvey Milk against discrimination and hate on the basis of sexuality.
Buy a Musical Instrument Day: Discover the joy of acquiring a new instrument, unlocking musical possibilities and creating soul-stirring melodies to share.
Dementia Action Week: Dementia Action Week is a key time of action. It’s time to step up your game on behalf of those who live with the disease. This event means different things while being significant to many different people. But one thing about it is the same -- it should bring us all...
Canadian Immigrants Day: Canadian Immigrants Day is a vibrant celebration of the contributions immigrants make to Canadian society. This day highlights the diverse cultures that enrich the country, bringing people from various backgrounds together. Also, it acknowledges how immigrants have shaped Canada's communities, making them more dynamic and inclusive. This celebration fosters a...
National Death Busters Day: National Death Busters Day asks drivers to pause for a beat before the key turns or the start button is pressed. It is a loud, attention-grabbing reminder that a vehicle is not just transportation. It is also a responsibility shared with everyone else on the road. When travel ramps up...
National Safe Sun Week: National Safe Sun Week is a special time dedicated to educating people about the dangers of too much sun and how to stay safe. Held in the last week of May, right before the Memorial Day holiday, it marks the beginning of summer. This is when folks often start spending...
Walk to School Week in the UK: Walk to School Week in the UK is a vibrant event encouraging kids to embrace walking as part of their daily routine. This week-long initiative highlights the benefits of walking over driving, making it an engaging and fun experience for children! How to Celebrate Walk to School Week Host a...
World Paloma Day: Imagine sipping a refreshing cocktail that perfectly balances the tang of grapefruit with the smooth warmth of tequila. That's the Paloma—a beloved Mexican drink combining tequila, grapefruit soda, and a splash of lime. Its light, invigorating taste has made it a favorite not just in Mexico but around the world. Celebrating...
World Preeclampsia Day: Preeclampsia is a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication that typically appears after the halfway point of pregnancy, often after 20 weeks. It is most commonly associated with new-onset high blood pressure, but it is not “just” a blood pressure problem. Preeclampsia can affect blood vessels, the kidneys, liver, brain, and the...
International Coco Mom Day: International Coco Mom Day is all about celebrating Black and Brown mothers. These women carry so much love, strength, and care on their shoulders. They raise families, build communities, and often do it all while facing extra challenges. This special day shines a bright light on their stories. It reminds...
National Title Track Day: Title tracks, or the songs after which an album is named, are often the greatest singles. Fire up your favorite title tracks or explore new ones.
National Road Trip Day: Hit the road, Jack! Road trips are the ultimate adventure filled with endless possibilities, unforgettable memories, and a load of snacks. So buckle up, roll down the windows, and let the wind take you where it may.
National Boss Babe Day: On a bright May morning, a young woman sits at her desk, surrounded by notes and a flickering laptop screen. Today marks National Boss Babe Day, and she’s ready to transform her side hustle into a full-time dream! Across town, a seasoned entrepreneur mentors a hopeful newcomer over coffee, sharing wisdom...
National Cooler Day: Keeping things cool is about more than just a state of mind. It’s actually about keeping drinks and food at the right temperature! National Cooler Day arrives ahead of the summer season to act as a reminder that coolers are a summer essential. So don’t wait until the last minute –...
National Vanilla Pudding Day: National Vanilla Pudding Day celebrates the smooth, creamy goodness of a classic dessert. This day is all about enjoying the comforting simplicity of vanilla pudding, which has long been a favorite in many households. It's a dessert that can be enjoyed on its own or dressed up with toppings like...
International Day for Biological Diversity: Biodiversity is a simple word with some wide-reaching implications. When it is split into its component parts, “diversity” means a range of different things, and “bio” means life, so biodiversity is, quite literally, a diversity of life. That includes the obvious stars of nature like tigers, whales, and towering trees...
National Craft Distillery Day: National Craft Distillery Day celebrates the passion and skill of small-batch distillers who create spirits with care and creativity. These artisans blend tradition with fresh ideas, using local ingredients to craft unique flavors you won’t find in mass-produced bottles. Every pour reflects their dedication, turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary. More...
Foster Care Fortnight: Foster Care Fortnight, an annual event in the UK, typically happens in the first two weeks of May. This initiative is driven by The Fostering Network, a leading charity that promotes foster care awareness and recruitment. The event raises awareness about the growing need for foster carers and their vital...
British Sandwich Week: British Sandwich Week is a lively celebration of one of Britain's most iconic culinary creations: the sandwich. This week, sandwich lovers from all walks of life come together to indulge in the art of sandwich making and tasting. Whether it’s a classic ham and cheese or a gourmet concoction with...
International Heritage Breeds Week: Support the survival of classic livestock breeds like Oberhasli goats, Wiltshire Wild Horn sheep, and Gloucester Old Spot pigs during Heritage Breeds Week.
Epilepsy Awareness Week: Epilepsy Awareness Week is a significant event held annually to highlight epilepsy's impact on millions worldwide. Taking place in May, this week-long event aims to inform and engage people in understanding this neurological condition. The goal is to dispel myths and encourage conversations about epilepsy. The purpose of epilepsy is to...
Be Nice to Nettles Week: Be Nice to Nettles Week is a vibrant annual event that shines a spotlight on the humble nettle plant. Celebrated in mid-May, this period encourages us to appreciate the ecological and health benefits of nettles. How to Celebrate Be Nice to Nettles Week Here are five quirky and playful ways to dive...
Tracky Dack Day: Tracky Dack Day is a funny name for a serious cause. This annual event, run by TLC for Kids, encourages people to wear their favorite track pants (aka 'tracky dacks'!) to support children in hospitals! The name brings a smile, but the mission is profound. It raises awareness and funds...