Today in History for 22nd April 2026

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Historical Events

1601 - First expedition of the English East India Company to the Spice Islands of the Moluccas departs Torbay
1988 - Women are allowed to compete in Little 500 bicycle race (Indiana)
1990 - Lebanon release US hostage Robert Polhill after 39 months
1993 - Pete Townshend's rock musical "The Who's Tommy" adapted for theatrical stage, opens at St James Theater, NYC; runs for 899 performances, winning 5 Tony Awards, and a Grammy Award
1994 - Schelto Patijn appointed Mayor of Amsterdam

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Famous Birthdays

1729 - Michael Hillegas, American merchant and first Treasurer of the United States (1775-89), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 1804)
1863 - C. A. J. van Dishoeck, Dutch publisher, born in Zierikzee, Netherlands (d. 1931)
1919 - Donald J. Cram, American biochemist (development and use of molecules with structure-specific interactions of high selectivity - Nobel 1987), born in Chester, Vermont (d. 2001)
1935 - Mario Machado, Chinese-American eight-time Emmy Award-winning television and radio broadcaster, first Chinese-American on-air news anchor in Los Angeles, born in Shanghai (d. 2013)
1950 - (Jesse) "Pete" Carr, American guitarist and session musician (Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section; LeBlanc and Carr), born in Daytona Beach, Florida (d. 2020)

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Famous Deaths

1865 - Francis Washburn, US Union colonel/gen major, dies of injuries
1992 - Billy Wayne White, American murderer, executed in Texas at 34
1996 - Erma Bombeck, American humorist (The Grass is Greener over the Septic Tank), dies at 69
2003 - Felice Bryant [Matilda Scaduto], American songwriter, with husband Boudleaux ("Bye Bye Love"; "Wake Up Little Susie"), dies of cancer at 77
2011 - Moin Akhter, Pakistani actor, dies at 60

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