05月22日

334 BC saw the young Alexander the Great cross the Granicus River to confront the Persian satrapal army. He personally led the cavalry charge that broke the Persian lines. This decisive battle opened Asia Minor to Macedonian conquest. Alexander's bold tactics and leadership stunned his opponents. The victory secured Greek cities along the Anatolian coast. It marked the beginning of Alexander's eastward expansion and legendary career.

On May 22, 229 AD, Sun Quan proclaimed himself emperor of Eastern Wu, one of the three rival states after the Han Dynasty's fall. This formalized the power division known as the Three Kingdoms: Wei, Shu, and Wu. Sun Quan's reign solidified Wu's political structures and military defenses along the Yangtze River. His leadership fostered economic and cultural developments in southern China. The Three Kingdoms period became one of the most storied eras in Chinese history.

On May 22, 1455, forces of Richard, Duke of York, clashed with the Lancastrian army at St Albans. This skirmish was the first pitched battle of the dynastic Wars of the Roses. The Yorkists seized King Henry VI and secured a political advantage. Key nobles were killed, deepening the feud between the rival houses of York and Lancaster. The battle set the stage for decades of civil conflict in England.

After a protracted siege, Konyo, the eleventh leader of the Hongan-ji, negotiated peace with Oda Nobunaga on May 22, 1580. The Ishiyama Hongan-ji fortress in Osaka surrendered, ending years of fierce conflict. Konyo retired to Sagi-no-mori in Kii Province under the agreement. His son Kyonyo, opposing the treaty, refused to comply and held the temple grounds. The peace shifted the balance of power, bolstering Nobunaga's unification efforts.

On May 22, 1763, the hand-carved Aonodōmon tunnel was completed in the rugged gorges of Yabakei. Zen monk Zenkai spent over three decades chiseling through solid rock to ease villagers’ travel. The 447-meter passage improved safety and connected remote mountain communities. Aonodōmon stands as a testament to human perseverance and spiritual dedication. Today it remains a cultural landmark and popular tourist attraction.

On May 22, 1868, Sir Harry Parkes, the British minister to Japan, formally presented Queen Victoria's credentials to Emperor Meiji. This act signified Britain's diplomatic recognition of the newly formed Meiji government. It was the first time a foreign power officially acknowledged Japan's post-restoration regime. The recognition bolstered the Meiji government's legitimacy and encouraged other nations to follow suit. This milestone paved the way for Japan's rapid modernization and international engagement.

On May 22, 1871, the Meiji government promulgated the Family Register Law to standardize household records. This legal framework replaced the feudal system's village registers with a national registry. It became a cornerstone of Japan's modern administrative and legal infrastructure. The law recorded births, deaths, marriages, and migrations for all citizens. The family register system continues to play a vital role in Japanese society.

On May 22, 1874, the Japanese military launched an expedition to Taiwan under the command of Saigō Tsugumichi. The campaign aimed to punish local tribes for attacks on Ryukyuan sailors. This marked Japan's first overseas military operation under the Meiji government. It demonstrated Japan's emerging status as a modern regional power. The expedition ended with a negotiated withdrawal but influenced later territorial expansions.

Misao Fujimura, a promising student of First Higher School, composed a farewell poem before leaping into Kegon Falls on May 22, 1903. His death shocked the nation and became a sensational news story. Many young people, moved by his poetic farewell, followed his example. The incident sparked public debate on youth ideals and mental health in Meiji-era Japan. Fujimura's story remains a poignant reminder of societal pressures on adolescents.

On May 22, 1906, Orville and Wilbur Wright received U.S. Patent No. 821,393 for their powered flying machine. Their patent covered key innovations in aircraft control surfaces and wing warping. It recognized their pioneering contributions to heavier-than-air flight. The Wright patent became a cornerstone of aviation technology and business. This milestone accelerated the commercialization and global spread of powered flight.

ラッセン山はカリフォルニア州北部のカスケード火山帯に属する活火山で、1914年から1917年にかけて断続的に活動しました。1915年5月22日の噴火では、火山灰や熱雲が高く噴き上がり周辺に降下し、森林や地形を大きく変えました。この噴火は大規模な火砕流を伴い、多くの地質学者や観光客の注目を集めました。翌年にはラッセン火山国立公園が設立され、現在も火山活動の観測拠点として知られています。

山形県米沢市の市街地で発生したこの火災は、強風に煽られた火の手が木造家屋を次々と襲い、死者11名、2300戸以上の住宅が焼失しました。当時の消防体制では延焼を十分に食い止めることができず、被災者は避難所での生活を余儀なくされました。復興には多年を要し、地域社会に大きな影響を残しました。火災の原因は不明ですが、再建に向けた支援活動が県内外から寄せられました。