🔍
Go To:

On This Day

March 23

YEAR 2025

Israel Defense Forces kill 15 aid workers in the Rafah paramedic massacre.

Israel Defense Forces kill 15 aid workers in the Rafah paramedic massacre.

YEAR 2021

A container ship runs aground and obstructs the Suez Canal for six days.

A container ship runs aground and obstructs the Suez Canal for six days.

YEAR 2020

Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts the United Kingdom into its first national lockdown in response to COVID-19.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts the United Kingdom into its first national lockdown in response to COVID-19.

YEAR 2019

The Kazakh capital of Astana is renamed to Nur-Sultan.

The Kazakh capital of Astana is renamed to Nur-Sultan.

YEAR 2019

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces capture the town of Baghuz in Eastern Syria, declaring military victory over the Islamic State of Iraq and the...

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces capture the town of Baghuz in Eastern Syria, declaring military victory over the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant after four years of fighting, although the group maintains a scattered presence and sleeper c...

YEAR 2018

President of Peru Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigns from the presidency amid a mass corruption scandal before certain impeachment by the opposition-majori...

President of Peru Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigns from the presidency amid a mass corruption scandal before certain impeachment by the opposition-majority Congress of Peru.

YEAR 2014

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports cases of Ebola in the forested rural region of southeastern Guinea, marking the beginning of the largest E...

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports cases of Ebola in the forested rural region of southeastern Guinea, marking the beginning of the largest Ebola outbreak in history.

YEAR 2010

The Affordable Care Act becomes law in the United States.

The Affordable Care Act becomes law in the United States.

YEAR 2009

FedEx Express Flight 80: A McDonnell Douglas MD-11 flying from Guangzhou, China crashes at Tokyo's Narita International Airport, killing both the capt...

FedEx Express Flight 80: A McDonnell Douglas MD-11 flying from Guangzhou, China crashes at Tokyo's Narita International Airport, killing both the captain and the co-pilot.

YEAR 2008

Official opening of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, India.

Official opening of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, India.

YEAR 2003

Battle of Nasiriyah, first major conflict during the invasion of Iraq.

Battle of Nasiriyah, first major conflict during the invasion of Iraq.

YEAR 2001

The Russian Mir space station is disposed of, breaking up in the atmosphere before falling into the southern Pacific Ocean near Fiji.

The Russian Mir space station is disposed of, breaking up in the atmosphere before falling into the southern Pacific Ocean near Fiji.

YEAR 1999

Gunmen assassinate Paraguay's Vice President Luis María Argaña.

Gunmen assassinate Paraguay's Vice President Luis María Argaña.

YEAR 1996

Taiwan holds its first direct elections and chooses Lee Teng-hui as President.

Taiwan holds its first direct elections and chooses Lee Teng-hui as President.

YEAR 1994

A United States Air Force (USAF) F-16 aircraft collides with a USAF C-130 at Pope Air Force Base and then crashes, killing 24 United States Army soldi...

A United States Air Force (USAF) F-16 aircraft collides with a USAF C-130 at Pope Air Force Base and then crashes, killing 24 United States Army soldiers on the ground alongside destroying a Starlifter by accident. This later became known as the Gree...

YEAR 1994

Aeroflot Flight 593 crashes into the Kuznetsk Alatau mountain, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia, killing 75.

Aeroflot Flight 593 crashes into the Kuznetsk Alatau mountain, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia, killing 75.

YEAR 1994

At an election rally in Tijuana, Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio is assassinated by Mario Aburto Martínez.

At an election rally in Tijuana, Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio is assassinated by Mario Aburto Martínez.

YEAR 1991

The Revolutionary United Front, with support from the special forces of Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia, invades Sierra Leone in...

The Revolutionary United Front, with support from the special forces of Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia, invades Sierra Leone in an attempt to overthrow Joseph Saidu Momoh, sparking the 11-year Sierra Leone Civil War.

YEAR 1988

Angolan and Cuban forces defeat South Africa in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.

Angolan and Cuban forces defeat South Africa in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.

YEAR 1983

Strategic Defense Initiative: President Ronald Reagan makes his initial proposal to develop technology to intercept enemy missiles.

Strategic Defense Initiative: President Ronald Reagan makes his initial proposal to develop technology to intercept enemy missiles.

YEAR 1982

Guatemala's government, headed by Fernando Romeo Lucas García, is overthrown in a military coup by right-wing General Efraín Ríos Montt.

Guatemala's government, headed by Fernando Romeo Lucas García, is overthrown in a military coup by right-wing General Efraín Ríos Montt.

YEAR 1980

Archbishop Óscar Romero of El Salvador gives his famous speech appealing to men of the El Salvadoran armed forces to stop killing the Salvadorans.

Archbishop Óscar Romero of El Salvador gives his famous speech appealing to men of the El Salvadoran armed forces to stop killing the Salvadorans.

YEAR 1978

The first UNIFIL troops arrive in Lebanon for a peacekeeping mission along the Blue Line.

The first UNIFIL troops arrive in Lebanon for a peacekeeping mission along the Blue Line.

YEAR 1977

The first of The Nixon Interviews (12 will be recorded over four weeks) is videotaped with British journalist David Frost interviewing former United S...

The first of The Nixon Interviews (12 will be recorded over four weeks) is videotaped with British journalist David Frost interviewing former United States President Richard Nixon about the Watergate scandal and the Nixon tapes.

YEAR 1965

NASA launches Gemini 3, the United States' first two-man space flight (crew: Gus Grissom and John Young).

NASA launches Gemini 3, the United States' first two-man space flight (crew: Gus Grissom and John Young).

YEAR 1956

Pakistan becomes the first Islamic republic in the world. This date is now celebrated as Republic Day in Pakistan.

Pakistan becomes the first Islamic republic in the world. This date is now celebrated as Republic Day in Pakistan.

YEAR 1940

The Lahore Resolution (Qarardad-e-Pakistan or Qarardad-e-Lahore) is put forward at the Annual General Convention of the All-India Muslim League.

The Lahore Resolution (Qarardad-e-Pakistan or Qarardad-e-Lahore) is put forward at the Annual General Convention of the All-India Muslim League.

YEAR 1939

The Hungarian air force attacks the headquarters of the Slovak air force in Spišská Nová Ves, killing 13 people and beginning the Slovak–Hungarian War...

The Hungarian air force attacks the headquarters of the Slovak air force in Spišská Nová Ves, killing 13 people and beginning the Slovak–Hungarian War.

YEAR 1935

Signing of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

Signing of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

YEAR 1933

The Reichstag passes the Enabling Act of 1933, making Adolf Hitler dictator of Germany.

The Reichstag passes the Enabling Act of 1933, making Adolf Hitler dictator of Germany.

YEAR 1931

Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar are hanged for the killing of a deputy superintendent of police during the Indian independence movem...

Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar are hanged for the killing of a deputy superintendent of police during the Indian independence movement.

YEAR 1919

In Milan, Italy, Benito Mussolini founds his Fascist political movement.

In Milan, Italy, Benito Mussolini founds his Fascist political movement.

YEAR 1918

First World War: On the third day of the German Spring Offensive, the 10th Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment is annihilated with many of the m...

First World War: On the third day of the German Spring Offensive, the 10th Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment is annihilated with many of the men becoming prisoners of war.

YEAR 1913

A tornado outbreak kills more than 240 people in the central United States, while an ongoing flood in the Ohio River watershed was killing 650 people.

A tornado outbreak kills more than 240 people in the central United States, while an ongoing flood in the Ohio River watershed was killing 650 people.

YEAR 1909

Theodore Roosevelt leaves New York for a post-presidency safari in Africa. The trip is sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographi...

Theodore Roosevelt leaves New York for a post-presidency safari in Africa. The trip is sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society.

YEAR 1905

Eleftherios Venizelos calls for Crete's union with Greece, and begins what is to be known as the Theriso revolt.

Eleftherios Venizelos calls for Crete's union with Greece, and begins what is to be known as the Theriso revolt.

YEAR 1901

Emilio Aguinaldo, only President of the First Philippine Republic, is captured at Palanan, Isabela by the forces of American General Frederick Funston...

Emilio Aguinaldo, only President of the First Philippine Republic, is captured at Palanan, Isabela by the forces of American General Frederick Funston.

YEAR 1889

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is established by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in Qadian, British India.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is established by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in Qadian, British India.

YEAR 1888

In England, The Football League, the world's oldest professional association football league, meets for the first time.

In England, The Football League, the world's oldest professional association football league, meets for the first time.

YEAR 1885

Sino-French War: Chinese victory in the Battle of Phu Lam Tao near Hưng Hóa, northern Vietnam.

Sino-French War: Chinese victory in the Battle of Phu Lam Tao near Hưng Hóa, northern Vietnam.

YEAR 1879

War of the Pacific: The Battle of Topáter, the first battle of the war, is fought between Chile and the joint forces of Bolivia and Peru.

War of the Pacific: The Battle of Topáter, the first battle of the war, is fought between Chile and the joint forces of Bolivia and Peru.

YEAR 1868

The University of California is founded in Oakland, California when the Organic Act is signed into law.

The University of California is founded in Oakland, California when the Organic Act is signed into law.

YEAR 1862

American Civil War: The First Battle of Kernstown, Virginia, marks the start of Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign. Although a Confederate defeat, th...

American Civil War: The First Battle of Kernstown, Virginia, marks the start of Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign. Although a Confederate defeat, the engagement distracts Federal efforts to capture Richmond.

YEAR 1857

Elisha Otis's first elevator is installed at 488 Broadway New York City.

Elisha Otis's first elevator is installed at 488 Broadway New York City.

YEAR 1848

The ship John Wickliffe arrives at Port Chalmers carrying the first Scottish settlers for Dunedin, New Zealand. Otago province is founded.

The ship John Wickliffe arrives at Port Chalmers carrying the first Scottish settlers for Dunedin, New Zealand. Otago province is founded.

YEAR 1839

A massive earthquake destroys the former capital Inwa of the Konbaung dynasty, present-day Myanmar.

A massive earthquake destroys the former capital Inwa of the Konbaung dynasty, present-day Myanmar.

YEAR 1821

Greek War of Independence: Battle and fall of city of Kalamata.

Greek War of Independence: Battle and fall of city of Kalamata.

YEAR 1806

After traveling through the Louisiana Purchase and reaching the Pacific Ocean, explorers Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery begin their ardu...

After traveling through the Louisiana Purchase and reaching the Pacific Ocean, explorers Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery begin their arduous journey home.

YEAR 1801

Tsar Paul I of Russia is struck with a sword, then strangled, and finally trampled to death inside his bedroom at St. Michael's Castle.

Tsar Paul I of Russia is struck with a sword, then strangled, and finally trampled to death inside his bedroom at St. Michael's Castle.

YEAR 1775

American Revolutionary War: Patrick Henry delivers his speech – "Give me liberty or give me death!" – at St. John's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virgin...

American Revolutionary War: Patrick Henry delivers his speech – "Give me liberty or give me death!" – at St. John's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia.

YEAR 1568

The Peace of Longjumeau is signed, ending the second phase of the French Wars of Religion.

The Peace of Longjumeau is signed, ending the second phase of the French Wars of Religion.

YEAR 1540

Waltham Abbey is surrendered to King Henry VIII of England, the last religious community to be closed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Waltham Abbey is surrendered to King Henry VIII of England, the last religious community to be closed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

YEAR 1400

The Trần dynasty of Vietnam is deposed, after one hundred and seventy-five years of rule, by Hồ Quý Ly, a court official.

The Trần dynasty of Vietnam is deposed, after one hundred and seventy-five years of rule, by Hồ Quý Ly, a court official.

YEAR 625

The Muslim army under Muhammad suffers a defeat against the Quraysh in the battle of Uhud.

The Muslim army under Muhammad suffers a defeat against the Quraysh in the battle of Uhud.