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March 22 in History: First Printed Book, First Shopping Mall in Michigan, and the Laser Patent

Scott Winters March 22, 2026 2 Comments

Discover what happened on March 22 in history, from groundbreaking inventions to memorable moments that shaped everyday life.

What Happened on March 22 in History?

Important events on this day include the first printed book with the Gutenberg Bible, the opening of Michigan’s first shopping mall, and the patent for the laser.

MARCH 22 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1457 – The Gutenberg Bible became the first printed book.

1630 – The first legislation to prohibit gambling was enacted in Boston, MA.

1733 – Joseph Priestly invented carbonated water (seltzer).

1790 – Thomas Jefferson became the first Secretary of State.

1841 – Englishman Orlando Jones patented cornstarch.

1853 – The steamer “Michigan” was launched for service on the Grand River. Five pairs of horses drew the boiler from Kalamazoo, MI, to Grand Rapids. The “Michigan” saw seven years of down-river service until it burned on July 11, 1860.

1871 – William Holden of North Carolina became the first governor to be removed by impeachment.

1872 – Illinois became the first state to require sexual equality in employment.

1882 – Congress outlawed polygamy.

1894 – The first playoff competition for the Stanley Cup began. Montreal played Ottawa.

1903 – Due to a drought, Niagara Falls ran out of water.

1904 – The first color photograph was published in the London Daily Illustrated Mirror.

1933 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill legalizing the sale and possession of beer and wine containing up to 3.2% alcohol.

1934 – The first Masters golf championship began in Augusta, GA.

1935 – In New York, NY, blood tests were authorized as evidence in court cases.

1941 – The Grand Coulee Dam in Washington began operations.

1946 – The first U.S. built rocket to leave the earth’s atmosphere reached a height of 50 miles.

1954 – The state of Michigan’s first shopping mall opened in Southfield, MI. The Northland Shopping Center had a J.L. Hudson’s store and 100 smaller shops.

1956 – Perry Como became the first major TV variety-show host to book a rock and roll act on his program. The act was Carl Perkins.

1960 – A.L. Schawlow & C.H. Townes obtained a patent for the laser. It was the first patent for any laser.

1963 – The Beatles’ very first album, “Please Please Me”, was released in the U.K.

1971 – Congress approved the 26th amendment to the Constitution, which lowered the voting age to 18.

1972 – The Senate passed the Equal Rights Amendment. It was not ratified by the states.

1972 – In Eisenstadt v. Baird, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that unmarried persons have the right to possess contraceptives.

1977 – The John Denver TV special, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”, aired on ABC.

1978 – Karl Wallenda, of the Flying Wallendas, fell to his death while walking a cable strung between to hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

1979 – The National Hockey League (NHL) voted to accept 4 WHA teams, the Oilers, Jets, Nordiques & Whalers.

1980 – People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was founded by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco.

1981 – U.S. Postage rates went from 15 cents to 18 cents an ounce.

1981 – RCA put its Selectra Vision laser disc players on the market.

1982 – The Space Shuttle Columbia was launched into orbit on mission STS-3 from the Kennedy Space Center. It was the third orbital flight for the Columbia.

1987 – A barge loaded with 32,000 tons of refuse left Islip, NY, to find a place to unload. After being refused by several states and three countries, space was found back in Islip.

1988 – Congress overrode President Reagan’s veto of a sweeping civil rights bill.

1989 – Oliver North began two days of testimony at his Iran-Contra trial in Washington, DC.

1989 – Clint Malarchuk of the Buffalo Sabres suffered a near-fatal injury when another player’s skate accidentally slit his throat.

1990 – A jury in Anchorage, AK, found Captain Hazelwood not guilty in the Valdez oil spill.

1990 – President George H.W. Bush shocked the world when he announced, “I do not like broccoli and I haven’t liked it since I was a kid and my mother made me eat it, and I’m the President of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli.”

1991 – In New Hampshire, high school teacher Pamela Smart was found guilty of manipulating her student-lover to kill her husband.

1993 – Cleveland Indians pitchers Steve Olin and Tim Crews were killed in a boating accident in Florida. Bob Ojeda was seriously injured in the accident.

1993 – The Intel Corporation shipped the first Pentium chips.

1995 – Cosmonaut Valeriy Polyakov returned to Earth after spending a record of 438 days in space.

1997 – The comet Hale-Bopp had its closest approach to Earth.

1997 – Tara Lipinski, two months shy of her 15th birthday, became the youngest women’s World Figure Skating Champion.

2002 – The U.S. Postal Rate Commission approved a request for a postal rate increase of first-class stamps from 34 cents to 37 cents by June 30. It was the first time a postal rate case was resolved through a settlement between various groups. The groups included the U.S. Postal Service, postal employees, mailer groups and competitors.

2007 – A guy in Bosnia wanted to see how many people would turn up at his funeral, so he faked his own death. The 45-year-old man was pretty upset when only his elderly mom turned up for the burial.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON MARCH 22:

E. D. Hirsch – 98 years old (1928) – Author, critic, and academic

Derek Bok – 96 years old (1930) – Lawyer and academic

George Edward Alcorn – 86 years old (1940) – Jr. , American physicist and inventor

Billy Collins – 85 years old (1941) – Poet

George Benson – 83 years old (1943) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Eric Roth – 81 years old (1945) – Screenwriter and producer

Don Chaney – 80 years old (1946) – Basketball player and coach

Rudy Rucker – 80 years old (1946) – Mathematician, computer scientist, and author

Wolf Blitzer – 78 years old (1948) – Journalist

Bob Costas – 74 years old (1952) – Sportscaster

Kenneth Rogoff – 73 years old (1953) – Economist and chess grandmaster

Jim Covert – 66 years old (1960) – Football player

Brian Shaw – 60 years old (1966) – Basketball player and coach

Russell Maryland – 57 years old (1969) – Football player

Shawn Bradley – 54 years old (1972) – German-American basketball player, coach, and actor

Marcus Camby – 52 years old (1974) – Basketball player

Joey Porter – 49 years old (1977) – Football player and coach

Dave Portnoy – 49 years old (1977) – Businessman and social media personality

Tom Poti – 49 years old (1977) – Ice hockey player

Josh Heupel – 48 years old (1978) – Football player and coach

Aaron North – 47 years old (1979) – Guitarist

Mims – 45 years old (1981) – Rapper

Michael Morse – 44 years old (1982) – Baseball player

Constance Wu – 44 years old (1982) – Actress

Thomas Davis Sr. – 43 years old (1983) – Football player

Justin Masterson – 41 years old (1985) – Baseball player

Dexter Fowler – 40 years old (1986) – Baseball player

Ike Davis – 39 years old (1987) – Baseball player

Chris Ivory – 38 years old (1988) – Football player

J. J. Watt – 37 years old (1989) – Football player

Taurean Prince – 32 years old (1994) – Basketball player

Chimezie Metu – 29 years old (1997) – Nigerian-American basketball player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MARCH 22:

International Day of the Seal: Often called the ‘dogs of the sea’ because of their curiosity, playfulness, and affection, seals are also known in German as seehunds, meaning sea hounds. International Day of the Seal brings attention to these lovable marine mammals and raises awareness about their plight! How to Celebrate International Day of the Seal Get...
As Young As You Feel Day: Age is just a number — a state of mind, not a limitation — it's how you feel that counts! Embrace your inner child and stay young at heart.
Bavarian Crepes Day: Delicate pancakes filled with fresh fruit and topped with whipped cream—a delectable German treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!
Black Marriage Day: Black Marriage Day is a special occasion celebrated annually. This day is dedicated to celebrating the beauty and significance of marriage within the Black community. The Wedded Bliss Foundation, established by Nisa I. Muhammad in 2001, played a crucial role in creating this day. The importance of Black Marriage Day lies...
National Goof Off Day: Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to have some fun and let loose is always a good idea every now and again.
Talk Like William Shatner Day: People all over the world spend one day a year speaking a little differently—slower, more spaced out, with sudden energy. That’s what happens on Talk Like William Shatner Day. It’s a fun way to copy the well-known way he speaks, especially from his time as Captain Kirk. Simple conversations turn...
World Water Day: Ensuring the purity of this essential life source, a foundation for health and vitality, is a solemn duty for humanity's well-being.
Gryffindor Pride Day: Lion-hearted and fearless, they stand up for what's right, showing the world that courage isn't just about a scarred forehead.
World Day of Metta: World Day of Metta is all about spreading love and kindness to everyone. Inspired by the Buddhist practice of Metta—which means "loving-kindness"—this day encourages people to nurture unconditional compassion, no matter who they’re thinking about. Participants are invited to practice kindness in their daily lives, considering not just loved ones...
March Madness: Get your game face on for March Madness! This high-energy tournament is a slam dunk of excitement, passion, and heart-pumping action. So grab your team colors, gear up for the showdown, and let the madness begin!
International Teach Music Week: International Teach Music Week is a vibrant celebration that lights up every year's third week of March, and unites over 750 music schools and various organizations globally. They offer free 30-minute lessons to new students, encouraging everyone from kids to adults to explore the joy of music. It's a time when...
Global Money Week: Every year, Global Money Week (GMW) kicks off excitedly, focusing on enhancing financial awareness among the young. This vibrant event is organized by the OECD International Network on Financial Education, the launch brings together participants from around the world to share knowledge and strategies for managing finances safely and responsibly. How...
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week: While education about drugs, alcohol, and addiction has been going on for many decades, a great deal of misinformation around the topic has continued to pervade culture, particularly among young people. The aim of this important event is to bring together teens and scientific experts, working to shatter myths about...
Make Mine Chocolate: "Make Mine Chocolate" is a lively campaign urging people to think twice before giving live rabbits as Easter gifts. The campaign encourages people to opt for chocolate bunnies instead. This approach helps spread the message of responsible pet ownership while offering a sweet alternative that won't end up in shelters...
National Fragrance Week: Scent has the remarkable power to shape moods and spark memories. National Fragrance Week celebrates this magic by inviting everyone to explore the world of fragrance. Throughout the week, fragrance experts share insights, and companies offer special promotions, making it the perfect time to discover new scents or deepen appreciation...
Week of Solidarity with Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination: The Week of Solidarity with Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination brings communities together in support of a world free from racial hatred and inequality. This UN-led initiative highlights the voices and stories of those affected by racism worldwide, shining a light on the struggles and resilience of diverse...
National Introverts Week: Introverts often have an amazing inner world — they make great listeners and thinkers, adding depth to any conversation.
European-wide Action Week Against Racism: European-wide Action Week Against Racism connects communities across borders to take a clear stand against hate. It’s not just a campaign—it’s a shared effort. Schools, community groups, and everyday citizens take part. They speak out in their own way, using clear messages and public spaces to reject racism. The focus stays...
National Cleaning Week: Sprucing up the living space can be quite the chore, but the end result is a refreshed and orderly home to be proud of.
UNESCO-ITI World Theater Week: UNESCO-ITI World Theater Week celebrates the magic of live performance across cultures. It highlights voices that rise from every stage. Artists, storytellers, and directors come together to share something real. These stories spark laughter, stir emotion, and open new ways of seeing the world. From packed auditoriums to outdoor street corners...
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
AKC National Agility Championship: The AKC National Agility Championship is one of the most exciting events for dog lovers. It showcases the speed and precision of canine athletes. Dogs of all breeds and sizes compete in timed obstacle courses that test their agility, coordination, and teamwork with their handlers. The event is fast-paced and...
Wellderly Week: Wellderly Week is a special time set aside each year to celebrate and focus on the well-being of our senior community, and is dedicated to promoting health, happiness, and the importance of staying active and engaged, regardless of age. The celebration highlights the significant role that seniors play in our society...