On this day in history - April 22

What Happened On This Day – April 22

• 1997 The Japanese embassy hostage crisis ends after 126 days

  The hero status of the Peruvian troops involved in the successful raid was later called into question when evidence of summary executions of captured insurgents emerged.

• 1992 A series of massive explosions destroys parts of Guadalajara

  The disaster in the downtown district of Analco occurred after gasoline had leaked into the sewer system. At least 206 people died, nearly 500 were injured, and about 15,000 were left homeless.

• 1977 Optical fiber is used for telephone transmissions for the first time

  Fiber-optic technology allows sending information over long distances by means of light pulses. It has played an important role in the development of modern-day global communications.

• 1945 Adolf Hitler admits defeat

  The German dictator announced in the underground Führerbunker that he plans to commit suicide after learning that Soviet forces had entered Berlin.

• 1906 The 1906 Olympic Games begin in Athens

  While the meet in practice was the second Olympic Games of the modern era, it is not recognized as such by the International Olympic Committee.