On May 22, 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition reached a key moment as the Corps of Discovery set off from St. Charles, Missouri, traveling up the Missouri River. Despite enduring heavy rainfall the previous night, they pressed forward at sunrise, passing small farms along the way. During their journey, they encountered Kickapoo hunters, who exchanged four deer for two quarts of whiskey.

This departure marked an important step in their mission to explore uncharted lands, laying the foundation for their groundbreaking expedition through the Louisiana Territory.

Image: The Lewis and Clark statue at St. Charles via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On May 22, 1775, a provisional Revolutionary government was formed in New York. It was called the New York Provincial Congress and it was a pro-American alternative to the New York General Assembly.

The first President of The New York Provincial Congress was this man, Peter Van Brugh Livingston.
One of his brothers Philip, signed the Declaration of Independence and one of his other brothers, William, signed the U.S. Constitution.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

An illustration of the SS Savannah, the first steamship that crossed the Atlantic, departed Savannah Harbor on May 22, 1819.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Baseball star Ted Williams being sworn into the U.S. Naval Reserve on May 22, 1942.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Lassen Peak, located in California, erupted on
May 22, 1915.
The event was 65 years before the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens in 1980 and the first of only two volcanic eruptions in the lower 48 states during the 20th Century.

Image from 1915 via LOC, no known restrictions

U.S. Patent #821,393 that was granted to Orville and Wilbur Wright for their Flying Machine on May 22, 1906.
They applied for the patent over three years earlier in March 1903.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

“Watching Their Troops: As the Marines drive toward the capital city of Naha, leaders watch the action from an observation post on a rocky ledge. They are, (left to right): Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr., commanding the Tenth Army; Major General Lemuel C. Shepherd, commanding general of the Sixth Marine Division, and his assistant commander, Marine Brigadier General William T. Clement.”

May 22, 1945

USMC Archives from Quantico, USA via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

On May 22, 1992 the final episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson aired.
Johnny became host of the late night program 30 years prior in 1962.

Image of Johnny with his brother and Tonight Show Director Dick Carson on set in 1963 via Alamy

The Old Hunting Grounds by American artist Worthington Whittredge c. 1864

Worthington Whittredge was born on May 22, 1820 in
Springfield, Ohio.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

12 years before Abraham Lincoln became President of The United States he received a U.S. patent on May 22, 1849. His invention was for an inflatable air bladder on boats to help lift them over shoals.

Image from David and Jessie Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

During the Pan-American Exposition in 1901, Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt fell victim to a carefully orchestrated prank. He had been invited to guide a group of dignitaries to an old log cabin behind the fairgrounds. As he bent down to enter, a sudden war whoop rang out, and two Oglala Sioux leaders, American Horse and Jack Red Cloud, sprang from the darkness, dressed in full war paint and feathers, grabbing hold of Colonel Roosevelt.

The startled crowd was met with chaotic shouts and simulated gunfire, creating a dramatic scene. The next day, newspapers reported the spectacle in vivid detail. Once Roosevelt realized it was all in good fun, he laughed heartily and exclaimed, “By Jove, this is a rum on me!”

Lydia at The Tapestry Loom c. 1881

by American artist Mary Cassatt who was born on May 22, 1844 in present day Pittsburgh, PA

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

“Silly Love Songs” written by Paul & Linda McCartney became the #1 song in America on May 22, 1976.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

These Yank airmen beam broadly as they look out from their bomber, following their arrival at Bradley Field, Windsor Locks, Conn., May 22, on a flight from Europe. In their bomber “Hell Hen,” they helped to bomb Germany out of the war. 1945.

Press Association via
Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Jacqueline Kennedy after State Dinner, May 22, 1962
White House.

Image via
Wikimedia Commons, public domain