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On This Day

May 23

YEAR 2022

Anthony Albanese of the Australian Labor Party is sworn in as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia after winning the 2022 Australian federal election,...

Anthony Albanese of the Australian Labor Party is sworn in as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia after winning the 2022 Australian federal election, ending 9 years of conservative rule.

YEAR 2021

A cable car falls from a mountain near Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, killing 14 people.

A cable car falls from a mountain near Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, killing 14 people.

YEAR 2021

Ryanair Flight 4978 is forced to land by Belarusian authorities to detain dissident journalist Roman Protasevich.

Ryanair Flight 4978 is forced to land by Belarusian authorities to detain dissident journalist Roman Protasevich.

YEAR 2017

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declares martial law in Mindanao, following the Maute's attack in Marawi.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declares martial law in Mindanao, following the Maute's attack in Marawi.

YEAR 2016

Two suicide bombings, conducted by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, kill at least 45 potential army recruits in Aden, Yemen.

Two suicide bombings, conducted by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, kill at least 45 potential army recruits in Aden, Yemen.

YEAR 2016

Eight bombings are carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Jableh and Tartus, coastline cities in Syria. One hundred eighty-four people...

Eight bombings are carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Jableh and Tartus, coastline cities in Syria. One hundred eighty-four people are killed and at least 200 people injured.

YEAR 2015

At least 30 people are killed as a result of floods and tornadoes in Texas, Oklahoma, and northern Mexico.

At least 30 people are killed as a result of floods and tornadoes in Texas, Oklahoma, and northern Mexico.

YEAR 2014

Seven people, including the perpetrator, are killed and another 14 injured in a killing spree near the campus of University of California, Santa Barba...

Seven people, including the perpetrator, are killed and another 14 injured in a killing spree near the campus of University of California, Santa Barbara.

YEAR 2013

A freeway bridge carrying Interstate 5 over the Skagit River collapses in Mount Vernon, Washington.

A freeway bridge carrying Interstate 5 over the Skagit River collapses in Mount Vernon, Washington.

YEAR 2008

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) awards Middle Rocks to Malaysia and Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh) to Singapore, ending a 29-year territoria...

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) awards Middle Rocks to Malaysia and Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh) to Singapore, ending a 29-year territorial dispute between the two countries.

YEAR 2006

Alaskan stratovolcano Mount Cleveland erupts.

Alaskan stratovolcano Mount Cleveland erupts.

YEAR 2002

The "55 parties" clause of the Kyoto Protocol is reached after its ratification by Iceland.

The "55 parties" clause of the Kyoto Protocol is reached after its ratification by Iceland.

YEAR 1998

The Good Friday Agreement is accepted in a referendum in Northern Ireland with roughly 75% voting yes.

The Good Friday Agreement is accepted in a referendum in Northern Ireland with roughly 75% voting yes.

YEAR 1995

The first version of the Java programming language is released.

The first version of the Java programming language is released.

YEAR 1992

Italy's most prominent anti-mafia judge Giovanni Falcone, his wife and three body guards are killed by the Corleonesi clan with a half-ton bomb near C...

Italy's most prominent anti-mafia judge Giovanni Falcone, his wife and three body guards are killed by the Corleonesi clan with a half-ton bomb near Capaci, Sicily. His friend and colleague Paolo Borsellino will be assassinated less than two months l...

YEAR 1991

Aeroflot Flight 8556 crashes at Pulkovo Airport, killing 13.

Aeroflot Flight 8556 crashes at Pulkovo Airport, killing 13.

YEAR 1978

A Tupolev Tu-144 crashes near the Russian town of Yegoryevsk, killing two.

A Tupolev Tu-144 crashes near the Russian town of Yegoryevsk, killing two.

YEAR 1971

Seventy-eight people are killed when Aviogenex Flight 130 crashes on approach to Rijeka Airport in present-day Rijeka, Croatia (then the Socialist Fed...

Seventy-eight people are killed when Aviogenex Flight 130 crashes on approach to Rijeka Airport in present-day Rijeka, Croatia (then the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia).

YEAR 1971

The Intercontinental Hotel in Bucharest opens, becoming the second-tallest building in the city.

The Intercontinental Hotel in Bucharest opens, becoming the second-tallest building in the city.

YEAR 1960

A tsunami caused by an earthquake in Chile the previous day kills 61 people in Hilo, Hawaii.

A tsunami caused by an earthquake in Chile the previous day kills 61 people in Hilo, Hawaii.

YEAR 1951

Tibetans sign the Seventeen Point Agreement with China.

Tibetans sign the Seventeen Point Agreement with China.

YEAR 1949

Cold War: The Western occupying powers approve the Basic Law and establish a new German state, the Federal Republic of Germany.

Cold War: The Western occupying powers approve the Basic Law and establish a new German state, the Federal Republic of Germany.

YEAR 1948

Thomas C. Wasson, the US Consul-General, is assassinated in Jerusalem, Israel.

Thomas C. Wasson, the US Consul-General, is assassinated in Jerusalem, Israel.

YEAR 1946

The start of a two-day tornado outbreak across the Central United States that spawned at least 15 significant tornadoes.

The start of a two-day tornado outbreak across the Central United States that spawned at least 15 significant tornadoes.

YEAR 1945

World War II: Germany's Flensburg Government under Karl Dönitz is dissolved when its members are arrested by British forces.

World War II: Germany's Flensburg Government under Karl Dönitz is dissolved when its members are arrested by British forces.

YEAR 1945

World War II: Heinrich Himmler, head of the Schutzstaffel, commits suicide while in Allied custody.

World War II: Heinrich Himmler, head of the Schutzstaffel, commits suicide while in Allied custody.

YEAR 1941

World War II: German paratroopers start a series of mass executions of Greek civilians in Missiria for their participation in the ongoing Battle of Cr...

World War II: German paratroopers start a series of mass executions of Greek civilians in Missiria for their participation in the ongoing Battle of Crete.

YEAR 1939

The U.S. Navy submarine USS Squalus sinks off the coast of New Hampshire during a test dive, causing the death of 24 sailors and two civilian technici...

The U.S. Navy submarine USS Squalus sinks off the coast of New Hampshire during a test dive, causing the death of 24 sailors and two civilian technicians. The remaining 32 sailors and one civilian naval architect are rescued the following day.

YEAR 1934

American bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde are ambushed by police and killed in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

American bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde are ambushed by police and killed in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

YEAR 1934

The Auto-Lite strike culminates in the "Battle of Toledo", a five-day melée between 1,300 troops of the Ohio National Guard and 6,000 picketers.

The Auto-Lite strike culminates in the "Battle of Toledo", a five-day melée between 1,300 troops of the Ohio National Guard and 6,000 picketers.

YEAR 1932

In Brazil, four students are shot and killed during a manifestation against the Brazilian dictator Getúlio Vargas, which resulted in the outbreak of t...

In Brazil, four students are shot and killed during a manifestation against the Brazilian dictator Getúlio Vargas, which resulted in the outbreak of the Constitutionalist Revolution several weeks later.

YEAR 1919

Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji, a Kurdish sheikh and at-the-time governor of the Slêmanî Province of British Iraq, initiates the first Mahmud Barzanji revolt.

Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji, a Kurdish sheikh and at-the-time governor of the Slêmanî Province of British Iraq, initiates the first Mahmud Barzanji revolt.

YEAR 1915

World War I: Italy joins the Allies, fulfilling its part of the Treaty of London.

World War I: Italy joins the Allies, fulfilling its part of the Treaty of London.

YEAR 1911

The New York Public Library is dedicated.

The New York Public Library is dedicated.

YEAR 1907

The unicameral Parliament of Finland gathers for its first plenary session.

The unicameral Parliament of Finland gathers for its first plenary session.

YEAR 1905

Abdul Hamid II, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, publicly announces the creation of the Ullah millet for the Aromanians of the empire, which had been est...

Abdul Hamid II, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, publicly announces the creation of the Ullah millet for the Aromanians of the empire, which had been established one day earlier. For this reason, the Aromanian National Day is usually celebrated on May 2...

YEAR 1900

American Civil War: Sergeant William Harvey Carney is awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the Assault on the Battery Wagner in 1863.

American Civil War: Sergeant William Harvey Carney is awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the Assault on the Battery Wagner in 1863.

YEAR 1873

The Canadian Parliament establishes the North-West Mounted Police, the forerunner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The Canadian Parliament establishes the North-West Mounted Police, the forerunner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

YEAR 1863

The General German Workers' Association, a precursor of the modern Social Democratic Party of Germany, is founded in Leipzig, Kingdom of Saxony.

The General German Workers' Association, a precursor of the modern Social Democratic Party of Germany, is founded in Leipzig, Kingdom of Saxony.

YEAR 1846

Mexican–American War: President Mariano Paredes of Mexico unofficially declares war on the United States.

Mexican–American War: President Mariano Paredes of Mexico unofficially declares war on the United States.

YEAR 1844

Báb: A merchant of Shiraz announces that he is a Prophet and founds a religious movement. He is considered to be a forerunner of the Baháʼí Faith.

Báb: A merchant of Shiraz announces that he is a Prophet and founds a religious movement. He is considered to be a forerunner of the Baháʼí Faith.

YEAR 1829

Accordion patent granted to Cyrill Demian in Vienna, Austrian Empire.

Accordion patent granted to Cyrill Demian in Vienna, Austrian Empire.

YEAR 1793

Battle of Famars during the Flanders Campaign of the War of the First Coalition.

Battle of Famars during the Flanders Campaign of the War of the First Coalition.

YEAR 1788

South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the United States Constitution.

South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the United States Constitution.

YEAR 1706

John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, defeats a French army under Marshal François de Neufville, duc de Villeroy at the Battle of Ramillies.

John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, defeats a French army under Marshal François de Neufville, duc de Villeroy at the Battle of Ramillies.

YEAR 1618

The Third Defenestration of Prague precipitates the Thirty Years' War.

The Third Defenestration of Prague precipitates the Thirty Years' War.

YEAR 1609

Official ratification of the Second Virginia Charter takes place.

Official ratification of the Second Virginia Charter takes place.

YEAR 1568

Dutch rebels led by Louis of Nassau defeat Jean de Ligne and his loyalist troops in the Battle of Heiligerlee, opening the Eighty Years' War.

Dutch rebels led by Louis of Nassau defeat Jean de Ligne and his loyalist troops in the Battle of Heiligerlee, opening the Eighty Years' War.

YEAR 1533

The marriage of King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon is declared null and void.

The marriage of King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon is declared null and void.

YEAR 1498

Girolamo Savonarola is burned at the stake in Florence, Italy.

Girolamo Savonarola is burned at the stake in Florence, Italy.

YEAR 1430

Joan of Arc is captured at the Siege of Compiègne by troops from the Burgundian faction.

Joan of Arc is captured at the Siege of Compiègne by troops from the Burgundian faction.