What Happened on September 22?

September 22 is National Ice Cream Cone Day — a sweet treat of a holiday — on the same date Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, Farm Aid debuted in 1985, and JFK signed the Peace Corps Act in 1961.

• 1776 — Nathan Hale is executed as an American spy

  On September 22, 1776, British forces hanged 21-year-old American captain Nathan Hale in New York for spying during the Revolutionary War. Read the full story →

• 1792 — France proclaims the First Republic

  On September 22, 1792 — one day after abolishing the monarchy — France’s National Convention proclaimed the First French Republic. Read the full story →

• 1862 — Lincoln issues the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation

  On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln announced that enslaved people in rebel states would be freed on January 1, 1863, if those states did not return to the Union. Read the full story →

• 1927 — Tunney vs. Dempsey ends in the famous “Long Count”

  On September 22, 1927, Gene Tunney retained the heavyweight title against Jack Dempsey in Chicago after a disputed knockdown count. Read the full story →

• 1961 — President Kennedy signs the Peace Corps Act

  On September 22, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed the Peace Corps Act, creating a lasting volunteer service program. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Joan Jett (1958) · Andrea Bocelli (1958) · Nick Cave (1957) · Ronaldo (1976)

Days & observances

National Ice Cream Cone Day · Hobbit Day · Elephant Appreciation Day · World Rhino Day