Important Events From This day in History – 22 April

Today in History

• 1997 The Japanese embassy hostage crisis ends after 126 days

  The Peruvian troops involved in the successful raid were later called heroes after evidence of summary executions of captured insurgents surfaced.

• 1992 A series of massive explosions destroys parts of Guadalajara

  The disaster in Analco’s downtown district occurred after gasoline leaked into the sewer system. At least 206 people were killed, nearly 500 were injured, and approximately 15,000 were displaced.

• 1977 Optical fiber is used for telephone transmissions for the first time

  Fiber-optic technology enables the transmission of data over long distances using light pulses. It has had a significant impact on the evolution of modern-day global communications.

• 1945 Adolf Hitler admits defeat

  After learning that Soviet forces had entered Berlin, the German dictator announced his intention to commit suicide in the underground Führerbunker.

• 1906 The 1906 Olympic Games begin in Athens

  While the meet was technically the second Olympic Games of the modern era, the International Olympic Committee did not recognize it as such.