By: HISTORY.com Editors An amateur painter sets up his easel near Leonardo da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa" at the Louvre in Paris, only to discover that the masterpiece is missing . Earlier in the day, in perhaps the most brazen art theft of all time, Vincenzo Peruggia had walked into the Louvre, removed the famed painting from the wall, hid it beneath his clothes, and escaped. While the entire nation of France was stunned, theories abounded as to what could have happened to the invaluable artwork. Most believed that professional thieves could not have been involved because they would have realized that it would be too dangerous to try to sell the world’s most famous painting. A popular rumor in Paris was that the Germans had stolen it to humiliate the French. The Heist that Made the 'Mona Lisa' Famous In 1911, a former Louvre employee perpetrated one of the greatest art heists in history. In 1911, a former Louvre employee perpetrated one of the greatest art heists in history. Investigators and detectives searched for the painting for more than two years without finding any decent leads. Then, in November 1913, Italian art dealer Alfredo Geri received a letter from a man calling himself Leonardo. It indicated that the "Mona Lisa" was in Florence and would be returned for a hefty ransom. When Peruggia attempted to receive the ransom, he was captured. The painting was unharmed. Peruggia, a former employee of the Louvre, claimed that he had acted out of a patriotic duty to avenge Italy on behalf of Napoleon . But prior robbery convictions and a diary with a list of art collectors led most to think that he had acted solely out of greed. Peruggia served seven months of a one-year sentence and later served in the Italian army during the First World War. The "Mona Lisa" is back in the Louvre, where improved security measures are now in place to protect it. Who posed for Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa? Also on This Day in History Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on August 22nd Battle of Bosworth Field In the last major battle of the War of the Roses, King Richard III is defeated and killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field by Henry Tudor, the earl of Richmond. After the battle, the royal crown, which Richard had worn into the fray, was picked out of a bush and placed on Henry’s head. […] Redcoats land at Long Island On August 22, 1776, the British arrive at Long Island, between Gravesend and New Utrecht, with “near twenty four thousand men ready to land in a moment,” according to one observer. General William Howe’s large army came to Long Island hoping to capture New York City and gain control of the Hudson River, a victory […] Austria attacks Venice with balloon bombs, considered the first remote aerial attack It considered the first remote aerial attack. U.S. wins first America’s Cup On August 22, 1851, the U.S.-built schooner America bests a fleet of Britain’s finest ships in a race around England’s Isle of Wight. The ornate silver trophy won by the America was later donated to the New York Yacht Club on condition that it be forever placed in international competition. Today, the “America’s Cup” is […] President Lincoln replies to Horace Greeley President Abraham Lincoln writes a carefully worded letter in response to an abolitionist editorial by Horace Greeley, the editor of the influential New York Tribune, and hints at a change in his policy concerning slavery. From the outset of the Civil War, Lincoln proclaimed the war’s goal to be the reunion of the nation. He […] First Geneva Convention establishes Red Cross aid for war wounded The Geneva Convention of 1864 for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick of Armies in the Field is adopted by 12 nations meeting in Geneva. The agreement, advocated by Swiss humanitarian Jean-Henri Dunant, called for nonpartisan care to the sick and wounded in times of war and provided for the neutrality […] Irish politician Michael Collins assassinated Irish revolutionary and Sinn Fein politician Michael Collins is killed in an ambush in west County Cork, Ireland, on August 22, 1922. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx is born

Annie Proulx, author of celebrated books and stories including The Shipping News and “Brokeback Mountain,” is born on August 22, 1935 in Norwich, Connecticut. Her mother was a painter and her father a self-made executive in a textile company. Annie lived in various towns in New England and in North Carolina during her childhood, and wrote […] Citroen helps de Gaulle survive assassination attempt On August 22, 1962, President Charles de Gaulle of France survives one of several assassination attempts against him thanks to the superior performance of the presidential automobile: The sleek, aerodynamic Citroen DS 19, known as “La Deesse” (The Goddess). When the Citroen DS made its sensational debut at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, its streamlined, […] Juan Marichal hits catcher with bat, instigating epic MLB brawl At San Francisco’s Candlestick Park on August 22, 1965, Giants pitcher Juan Marichal steps up to the plate to lead off the home half of the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After the second pitch, a ball low and away, catcher John Roseboro returns the ball to pitcher Sandy Koufax, but he offends […] Czechs protest against Soviet invasion In the streets of Prague and in the United Nations headquarters in New York City, Czechs protest against the Soviet invasion of their nation. The protests served to highlight the brutality of the Soviet action and to rally worldwide condemnation of the Soviet Union. On the night of August 20, 1968, more than 200,000 troops […] Zager and Evans end a six-week run at No. 1 with their smash-hit “In The Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)” The American pop-rock duo Zager and Evans end a six-week run at the top of the charts with their ponderously titled single “In The Year 2525.” With lyrics focused on the ominous effects of future technology, it would be their one and only hit. Zager and Evans never returned to the pop charts after their triumphant debut in […] Demonstrators disrupt Republican National Convention in Miami Beach Delegates entering the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach are harassed by 3,000 antiwar demonstrators, many painted with death masks. The rest of the convention is marked by demonstrations outside the meeting hall; hundreds of protestors are arrested and many are injured when police use riot-control agents. Nolan Ryan registers 5,000th strikeout On August 22, 1989, Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers becomes the first pitcher in major league history to register 5,000 career strikeouts. Ryan would go on to rack up a total of 5,714 strikeouts, over 1,500 more than his closest competition. Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. was born January 31, 1947, in Refugio, Texas and […] Shootings continue at Ruby Ridge In the second day of a standoff at Randy Weaver’s remote northern Idaho cabin atop Ruby Ridge, FBI sharpshooter Lon Horiuchi wounds Randy Weaver and Kevin Harris, and then kills Weaver’s wife, Vicki. Randy Weaver, an alleged white supremacist, had been targeted by the federal government for selling two illegal sawed-off shotguns to an undercover […] DNA testing links O.J. Simpson to murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman The match carries staggering odds. The Enduring Mystery Behind Percy Fawcett’s Disappearance Explorer Percy Fawcett was an inspiration for Indiana Jones. 10 Daring Museum Heists Famous artworks like the 'Mona Lisa' and 'The Scream' have been among the treasures stolen. How Whitey Bulger Manipulated the FBI Into Locking Up His Enemies The notorious gangster was recruited as an FBI informant. It turned it out that corrupt FBI agents were the ones informing him. About the author HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion , Missy Sullivan , Christian Zapata, Cristiana Lombardo and Adrienne Donica. We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Citation Information