1. In 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, British forces captured New York City on September 22, forcing troops led by General George Washington to retreat.

2. On September 22, 1792, the cornerstone of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was laid at the intersection of Wall and Broad Streets. The NYSE is now the largest stock exchange in the world.

3. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in the Confederate states were to be set free. This historic announcement was read aloud in New York's City Hall on September 22.

4. The Metropolitan Opera House, one of the most iconic performance venues in New York City, opened its doors for the first time on September 22, 1883. The original building was demolished and replaced with the current one in 1966.

5. September 22, 1979 saw the opening of the first UN General Assembly with a female Secretary-General. This achievement was made possible thanks to the appointment of the first female Secretary-General, Dr. Andryi Salukvadze of Georgia, who served the UN from 1977 to 1981.