In History, Today on November 22

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope, the southern tip of Africa, opening the sea route to India.

British pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, was killed in battle off the coast of North Carolina.

The Polish November Uprising against the Russian Empire began, aiming to restore Polish independence.

The clipper ship Cutty Sark was launched at Dumbarton in Scotland. It was one of the last tea clippers to be built and one of the fastest, marking the end of an era for sailing ships.

The International Radio Telegraphic Convention was signed in Berlin, establishing the SOS distress signal as the worldwide standard for radio communication.

The Cairo Conference began, where Allied leaders discussed the progress of World War II and post-war Asia.

U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, leading to a significant political and cultural impact on the United States.

Juan Carlos I was declared King of Spain following the death of dictator Francisco Franco, marking the beginning of Spain's transition to democracy.

Margaret Thatcher announced her resignation as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after failing to win sufficient support in a Conservative Party leadership contest.

Angela Merkel was sworn in as Germany's first female Chancellor, marking a significant moment in German and European politics.

The Irish government formally applied for a bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

Ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas, ending eight days of fighting in the Gaza Strip.

The United Nations declared the end of the 2013 Central African Republic conflict, although violence continued in the region.

Ratko Mladić, former Bosnian Serb military leader, was convicted of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.