Look Back To 1922: What Happened That Year

The BBC's first broadcast, the Austin Seven and Tutankhamun's tomb.

Here's 1922 in full - the music, the news, the screen, the sport and the ordinary details. Good for a birthday card, a party quiz round or a reminiscence session.

Popular music in 1922

• The BBC's first broadcasts included music, talks and news read twice in different speeds.
• Dance bands were booked into hotels and ballrooms across the country.
• Wireless sets were homemade crystal receivers for many early listeners.

In the news in 1922

• The British Broadcasting Company made its first daily broadcast on 14 November.
• Howard Carter found the entrance to Tutankhamun's tomb in November.
• The Irish Free State was established in December.
• Bonar Law became Prime Minister in October.

On screen in 1922

• Nosferatu was released in Germany.
• Cinema organs were installed in the larger picture palaces.
• Films were still silent and shown with live music.

In sport in 1922

• Huddersfield Town won the FA Cup.
• Liverpool won the league.
• The first radio sports commentary was still a year or two away.

Everyday life in 1922

• The Austin Seven was launched and made cars affordable to more families.
• Egyptian designs appeared on jewellery, cinemas and biscuit tins within a year.
• Crystal sets with headphones were the first wireless in most homes.

If you were born in 1922

• Anyone born in 1922 is the same age as the BBC.
• They were seventeen when the Second World War began.
• Anyone born in 1922 turns 30 in 1952, 40 in 1962, 50 in 1972, 60 in 1982 and 70 in 1992.
• For a milestone card, the strongest line is usually the number one from the week they were born rather than the year's biggest events - it's personal, and it takes two minutes to find.
• For a reminiscence session, read one section at a time and stop on whatever gets a reaction. The point is the conversation, not the facts.

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How to write it so it lands

• The number one from the week they were born beats the year's headlines on a card.
• Read one section at a time in a reminiscence session and stop where the conversation starts.
• Use it as a guess-the-year round by reading three facts and hiding the date.

Where to shop next

• Look back to 1925
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• Village fete and church hall games
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• The 2020s so far
• The 2010s: the whole decade
• The 2000s: the whole decade
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• The 1980s: the whole decade
• The 1970s: the whole decade
• The 1960s: the whole decade
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• The 1930s: the whole decade
• Decade calendar: every year from 1920
• Decade trivia: fun facts by era
• Decade trivia game: play for points
• Decade guides: books, films and TV by era
• Decade recipes: dishes and food trends by era
• Decade travel: destinations and holidays by era
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• Decade films: best movies and directors by era
• Decade art: artists, styles and trends by era
• Decade books: best novels, authors and reading trends
• Music by decade: albums, artists and songs
• Decade fashion: clothes, hair and accessories by era
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• How to make a balloon arch
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• Pin badges
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

When was the BBC's first broadcast?

14 November 1922, from station 2LO in London.

When was Tutankhamun's tomb found?

Howard Carter's team found the steps in November 1922 and entered the burial chamber in February 1923.

How old is someone born in 1922?

Subtract 1922 from the current year. They turn 40 in 1962, 50 in 1972, 60 in 1982 and 70 in 1992.

Do you sell anything to do with this year?

We make greeting cards, art prints and pin badges in the UK, including milestone birthday cards. This page itself is free to read and free to copy.