By Richard T. Cartwright, PE, CHMM, (IHMM, AHMP and APICS) Fellow.
Richard died April 21, 2025; honoring the work he did with hazmat history is one small way to keep his memory alive.
The saying, “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it” is more than a cliché. It is a reminder that we must constantly be learning from the past. Here’s a look back at major historical events that happened today in the world of hazardous materials.
May 22, 1992
The United Nations declared May 22 as International Day for Biological Diversity. Biodiversity refers to the variety of flora and fauna that make up an ecosystem. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, December 29 (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted May 22as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on May 22, 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for December 29, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.
May 22, 1967
An electrical fire broke out in a Brussels, Belgium department store, where 322 people died primarily of smoke inhalation. Virtually none of the 2,500 shoppers were aware of the fire because no fire alarm went off, nor were there any sprinklers. Fire spread quickly because there were only a few handheld extinguishers on hand. Firefighters were slow to arrive because the store was located in a crowded area of the city with narrow streets. Panic set in when shoppers realized what was happening. Many suffered trampling injuries after getting caught in the stampede of those trying to leave the store. At the same time, looters added to the general chaos. When fire hit butane gas canisters in the store’s camping area, several explosions occurred. Afterwards, one side of the store collapsed onto some fire engines parked outside.
May 22, 1960
One of the world’s largest recorded earthquakes (9.5-magnitude) struck the Valdivia-Puerto Montt area in southern Chile. Huge tsunamis caused extensive damage along the coast of Chile and across the Pacific Ocean.
May 22, 1947
The first U.S. surface-to-air ballistic missile was successfully fired. It was developed by a team led by American rocket scientist, Robert Goddard, and German rocket scientist, Werner Von Braun. California’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory built and tested an 11,000-pound, 45-foot-long rocket.
May 22, 1859
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Scottish Physician and Novelist, was born. He was a doctor without very many patients. While waiting for patients, he was so bored that he started writing short stories. His fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, emulates the research scientist, diligently searching through data and to make sense of it. “It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.” Doyle’s tales of solving crimes with an amazing ability to use scientific reason and observation have inspired many future scientists and hazardous materials managers.
May 22, 1819
The first American-built steam-propelled vessel to attempt trans-Atlantic crossing departed from Savannah, Georgia. The Savannah was a 350-ton wooden boat, fully rigged so that during the trip, steam power was used for only 80 hours. It was fitted with an inclined direct-acting low-pressure steam engine. Although it had 32 state rooms, it sailed without passengers, for none dared to make the trip.
Historical hazardous materials management events are posted 365 days a year at this LinkedIn discussion group.
