Today in History graphic for August 22 featuring the first Geneva Convention, the founding of Cadillac in Detroit, and Miguel Cabrera's 500th career home run.

August 22 in History: The Geneva Convention Is Adopted, Cadillac Is Founded & Miguel Cabrera Hits 500

Scott Winters August 22, 2026 0 Comments

Discover what happened on August 22 in history as humanitarian breakthroughs, automotive milestones, remarkable achievements, and unforgettable moments helped shape the world we know today.

What Happened on August 22 in History?

On this day, the first Geneva Convention was adopted, Cadillac was founded in Detroit, and Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera hit the 500th home run of his Major League Baseball career.

AUGUST 22 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1864 – The first Geneva Convention was adopted in Geneva, Switzerland. The landmark agreement established protections for wounded soldiers and medical personnel during wartime and helped lay the foundation for modern international humanitarian law.

1865 – William Sheppard received a U.S. patent for an improved liquid soap.

1902 – Henry M. Leland founded the Cadillac Motor Company in Detroit, MI. The company would become part of General Motors in 1909.

1902 – President Theodore Roosevelt became the first sitting U.S. president to make a public appearance riding in an automobile when he toured Hartford, CT.

1906 – The Victor Talking Machine Company began manufacturing the Victrola, a phonograph with its horn concealed inside a cabinet. It originally sold for $200.

1911 – Officials announced that Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa had been stolen from the Louvre in Paris. The painting had disappeared the previous day and was recovered in Italy more than two years later.

1919 – The Grand Rapids Aero Club was founded in Grand Rapids, MI, to develop aviation and build an aerodrome in the city.

1973 – Henry Kissinger was named Secretary of State by President Richard Nixon. Kissinger won the Nobel Peace Prize the same year.

1984 – The last U.S.-built Volkswagen Rabbit rolled off the assembly line at Volkswagen’s plant in New Stanton, PA.

1989 – Nolan Ryan struck out Rickey Henderson to become the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to record 5,000 career strikeouts.

2003 – Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore was suspended after refusing to comply with a federal court order to remove a rock inscribed with the “Ten Commandments” from the lobby of the Alabama Supreme Court building.

2004 – In Oslo, Norway, a version of Edvard Munch’s painting “The Scream” and his work “Madonna” were stolen from the Munch Museum.

2007 – The Texas Rangers defeated the Baltimore Orioles 30–3, setting a modern Major League Baseball record for the most runs scored by one team in a game.

2015 – Giant panda Mei Xiang gave birth to twin cubs at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

2018 – Forbes reported that George Clooney earned an estimated $239 million over the previous year, largely due to the sale of the tequila company he co-founded.

2021 – Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera hit the 500th home run of his Major League Baseball career, becoming the 28th player in MLB history to reach the milestone.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON AUGUST 22:

Annie Proulx – 91 years old (1935) – Novelist, short story writer, and journalist

Carl Yastrzemski – 87 years old (1939) – Baseball player

Bill Parcells – 85 years old (1941) – Football player and coach

David Chase – 81 years old (1945) – Screenwriter and producer

Ron Dante – 81 years old (1945) – Singer-songwriter and producer

David Marks – 78 years old (1948) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Carolyn L. Mazloomi – 78 years old (1948) – Art historian and quilter

Diana Nyad – 77 years old (1949) – Swimmer and author

Ray Burris – 76 years old (1950) – Baseball player and coach

Scooter Libby – 76 years old (1950) – Lawyer and politician, Chief of Staff to the Vice President of the United States

Paul Ellering – 73 years old (1953) – Weightlifter, wrestler, and manager

Paul Molitor – 70 years old (1956) – Baseball player and coach

Colm Feore – 68 years old (1958) – American-Canadian actor

Stevie Ray – 68 years old (1958) – Wrestler

Vernon Reid – 68 years old (1958) – English-born American guitarist and songwriter

Juan Croucier – 67 years old (1959) – Cuban-American singer-songwriter, bass player, and producer

Collin Raye – 66 years old (1960) – Country music singer

Regina Taylor – 66 years old (1960) – Actress and playwright

Tori Amos – 63 years old (1963) – Singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer

James DeBarge – 63 years old (1963) – R&B/soul singer

Mats Wilander – 62 years old (1964) – Swedish-American tennis player and coach

GZA – 60 years old (1966) – Rapper and producer

Ty Burrell – 59 years old (1967) – Actor and comedian

Giada De Laurentiis – 56 years old (1970) – Italian-American chef and author

Craig Finn – 55 years old (1971) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Rick Yune – 55 years old (1971) – Actor

Paul Doucette – 54 years old (1972) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and drummer

Howie Dorough – 53 years old (1973) – Singer-songwriter and dancer

Kristen Wiig – 53 years old (1973) – Actress, comedian, and screenwriter

Cory Gardner – 52 years old (1974) – Politician

Jenna Leigh Green – 52 years old (1974) – Actress and singer

Bryn Davies – 50 years old (1976) – Bassist, cellist, and pianist

Jeff Weaver – 50 years old (1976) – Baseball player

Randy Wolf – 50 years old (1976) – Baseball player

Brandon Adams – 47 years old (1979) – Actor

Matt Walters – 47 years old (1979) – Football player

Alex Holmes – 45 years old (1981) – Football player

Sean Rash – 44 years old (1982) – Bowler

Jahri Evans – 43 years old (1983) – Football player

Luke Russert – 41 years old (1985) – Journalist

Jey Uso – 41 years old (1985) – Samoan-American wrestler

Jimmy Uso – 41 years old (1985) – Samoan-American wrestler

Apollo Crews – 39 years old (1987) – Wrestler

Randall Cobb – 36 years old (1990) – Football player

Drew Hutchison – 36 years old (1990) – Baseball player

Adam Thielen – 36 years old (1990) – Football player

Dillon Danis – 33 years old (1993) – Mixed martial artist

Israel Broussard – 32 years old (1994) – Actor

Maxx Crosby – 29 years old (1997) – Football player

Fanum – 29 years old (1997) – Streamer

LaMelo Ball – 25 years old (2001) – Basketball player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR AUGUST 22:

World Plant Milk Day: Celebrating plant milks that are usually better for the body and the planet, World Plant Milk Day is a step on the way toward health and sustainability. How to Celebrate World Plant Milk Day Enjoy the celebration of World Plant Milk Day with some of these ideas: Try Different Kinds...
National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day: Keep your cats healthy by getting scheduling a preventative check-up on Take Your Cat to the Vet Day, to avoid painful and costly health problems in the future.
National Eat A Peach Day: Luscious fruit with velvety skin and a sweet aroma, reminding of warm summer days and offering a taste of heaven.
National Be An Angel Day: You don’t have to engage in giant acts of heroism to be someone’s angel. Small acts of kindness throughout your day can change others’ lives in many ways.
Folklore Day: Folklore Day in Brazil celebrates the country's deep and varied cultural traditions. This special day highlights the stories, myths, and legends that have been passed down through generations. Each region of Brazil has its own folklore, shaped by a blend of indigenous, African, and European influences. From the mischievous Saci-Pererê...
Never Bean Better Day: Never Bean Better Day is a heartwarming celebration that honors the unique bond between humans and therapy dogs, specifically spotlighting a special dog named Bean. This day encourages people to recognize the comforting and healing power these animals bring into the lives of those who need it most. Whether visiting hospitals...
National Bao Day: National Bao Day is a fun and tasty celebration that happens every August 22nd. This day spotlights bao, a type of steamed bun from China. With a rich history, bao has become a favorite for many worldwide. It's known for its soft, fluffy texture and the delicious fillings it can hold...
Rainbow Baby Day: A rainbow baby is a child born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or the loss of a newborn. The name comes from the calm that follows a storm. Rainbow Baby Day gives families space to hold both love and pain in the same breath. It’s not just about joy—it’s about healing, too...
International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief: People have lost their lives simply because of what they believe. The International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief honors them. It brings attention to the pain many have faced when their faith made them a target. Around the world, people still face...
Antique Tractor Preservation Day: Dedicated to America’s agricultural heritage and preservation of vintage tractors, this day is celebrated particularly throughout American farming states, such as Kansas and Missouri. But that doesn’t mean that folks from other places can’t celebrate too. This is an invitation for anyone and everyone to show up for Antique Tractor...
National Pecan Torte Day: Eggs, sugar, bread crumbs, vanilla, and of course pecans are all it takes to make a pecan torte, a tasty, rich, decadent and moist pecan-based flourless cake.
National Surgical Oncologist Day: Skilled hands and sharp minds come together to fight one of the world’s toughest diseases. National Surgical Oncologist Day honors the experts who remove tumors, perform critical procedures, and help patients through life-changing diagnoses. These specialists don’t just operate; they bring hope, using precision and knowledge to give people more...
Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
National Aviation Week: National Aviation Week is a time to look up and celebrate the sky's vastness and the marvels that allow us to explore it. This special week highlights the incredible journey of human flight, from the Wright brothers' first successful airplane to today’s sophisticated aircraft. It's a chance to reflect on...
Navasard: Navasard is the ancient Armenian New Year, a celebration that once united communities in festivities and tribute to their gods. Marking the start of a new cycle, it was a time when people believed divine forces came down to the Earth. With music, dance, and communal feasts, it reflected a...