1. In 1861, Alabama joined the Confederate States of America, following the outbreak of the American Civil War. This decision led to years of conflict and devastation in the state.

2. The Tuskegee Airmen, an all-black squadron of pilots who fought in World War II, were officially activated on July 22, 1941. These brave men defied racism and discrimination to become some of the most skilled and celebrated pilots of the war.

3. On July 22, 1968, the first racially integrated class graduated from the University of Alabama. This was a landmark moment in the civil rights movement, as the university had famously resisted integration just a few years earlier.

4. The Alabama Space and Rocket Center, located in Huntsville, was opened to the public on July 22, 1970. This museum and educational center is home to numerous exhibits and artifacts related to space travel and exploration.

5. In 2013, a tragic shooting occurred at the UPS facility in Trussville, Alabama, on July 22. Two employees were killed, and a third was critically injured, in the senseless act of violence. This incident highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States.