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On This Day in History — June 23
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Highlights of June 23
- 2016 — Citizens of the United Kingdom voted in favour of leaving the European Union. Read more
- 1992 — Croatian War of Independence: The Battle of the Miljevci Plateau ended after a failed counterattack by forces of the Republic of Serbian Krajina against the Croatian Army who had captured the plateau. Read more
- 1991 — The first instalment of the video-game series Sonic the Hedgehog was released in North America. Read more
- 1982 — Chinese American Vincent Chin died after being beaten into a coma in Highland Park, Michigan, U.S., by two automotive workers who were angry about the success of Japanese auto companies. Read more
- 1973 — The Los Angeles Dodgers started Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Ron Cey, and Bill Russell in the infield, beginning a record eight-year run in Major League Baseball for four people designated as starters for those positions. Read more
- 1972 — President Richard Nixon signed Title IX (co-author Patsy Mink pictured) into law as part of the Education Amendments, prohibiting gender discrimination in any educational program receiving U.S. federal funds. Read more
- 1956 — In a nationwide referendum, Gamal Abdel Nasser (pictured) was elected President of Egypt, a post he held until his death in 1970. Read more
- 1946 — Canada's largest recorded onshore earthquake struck Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Read more
- 1944 — The Holocaust: After a closely supervised visit to Theresienstadt Ghetto in German-occupied Czechoslovakia, Red Cross official Maurice Rossel reported that conditions there were "almost normal". Read more
- 1926 — The College Board administered the first Scholastic Aptitude Test, a major standardized test for university and college admissions in the United States. Read more
- 1887 — The Parliament of Canada passed the Rocky Mountains Park Act, creating Banff National Park in Alberta as the country's first national park. Read more
- 1865 — Stand Watie became the last Confederate general of the American Civil War to surrender to Union forces. Read more
- 1797 — War of the First Coalition: Napoleon signed the Armistice of Bologna, agreeing a ceasefire between France and the Papal States. Read more
- 1726 — On the First Sunday after Trinity, J. S. Bach led the first performance of Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, BWV 39 (page pictured), one of a few new cantatas written that year. Read more
- 1594 — Anglo-Spanish War: During the Action of Faial, an English attempt to capture a Portuguese carrack, reputedly one of the richest ever to set sail from the Indies, caused it to explode with all the treasure lost. Read more
- 1280 — Reconquista: Troops of the Emirate of Granada defeated those of the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of León in the Battle of Moclín. Read more
- 1266 — War of Saint Sabas: In an action off Trapani, Sicily, a Venetian fleet captured all 27 opposing Genoese vessels. Read more
Events
- 2018 — Twelve boys and an assistant coach from a soccer team in Thailand are trapped in a flooding cave, leading to an 18-day rescue operation. Read more
- 2017 — A series of terrorist attacks take place in Pakistan, resulting in 96 deaths and wounding 200 others. Read more
- 2016 — Brexit: The United Kingdom votes in a referendum to leave the European Union, by 52% to 48%. Read more
- 2014 — The last of Syria's declared chemical weapons are shipped out for destruction. Read more
- 2013 — Nik Wallenda becomes the first man to successfully walk across the Grand Canyon on a tight rope. Read more
- 2013 — Militants storm a high-altitude mountaineering base camp near Nanga Parbat in Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan, killing ten climbers and a local guide. Read more
- 2012 — Ashton Eaton breaks the decathlon world record at the United States Olympic Trials. Read more
- 2005 — American social news and discussion site Reddit is founded in Medford, Massachusetts by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian. Read more
- 2001 — The 8.4 Mw southern Peru earthquake shakes coastal Peru with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). A destructive tsunami followed, leaving at least 74 people dead, and 2,687 injured. Read more
- 1994 — NASA's Space Station Processing Facility, a new state-of-the-art manufacturing building for the International Space Station, officially opens at Kennedy Space Center. Read more
- 1991 — Sonic the Hedgehog is released in North America on the Sega Genesis platform, beginning the popular video game franchise. Read more
- 1985 — A terrorist bomb explodes at Narita International Airport near Tokyo, killing two and injuring four. An hour later, the same group detonates a second bomb aboard Air India Flight 182, bringing the Boeing 747 down off the coast of Ireland killing all 329 aboard. Read more
- 1973 — A fire at a house in Hull, England, which kills a six-year-old boy is passed off as an accident; it later emerges as the first of 26 deaths by fire caused over the next seven years by serial arsonist Peter Dinsdale. Read more
- 1972 — Watergate scandal: U.S. President Richard M. Nixon and White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman are taped talking about illegally using the Central Intelligence Agency to obstruct the Federal Bureau of Investigation's investigation into the Watergate break-ins. Read more
- 1972 — Title IX of the United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 is amended to prohibit sexual discrimination to any educational program receiving federal funds. Read more
- 1969 — Warren E. Burger is sworn in as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court by retiring Chief Justice Earl Warren. Read more
- 1969 — IBM announces that effective January 1970 it will price its software and services separately from hardware thus creating the modern software industry. Read more
- 1968 — Seventy-four people were killed and 150 others injured in a stampede at a football match between Boca Juniors and Club Atlético River Plate in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Read more
- 1967 — Cold War: U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin in Glassboro, New Jersey for the three-day Glassboro Summit Conference. Read more
- 1961 — The Antarctic Treaty System, which sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve and limits military activity on the continent, its islands and ice shelves, comes into force. Read more
- 1960 — The United States Food and Drug Administration declares Enovid to be the first officially approved combined oral contraceptive pill in the world. Read more
- 1959 — Convicted Manhattan Project spy Klaus Fuchs is released after only nine years in prison and allowed to emigrate to Dresden, East Germany where he resumes a scientific career. Read more
- 1956 — The French National Assembly takes the first step in creating the French Community by passing the Loi Cadre, transferring a number of powers from Paris to elected territorial governments in French West Africa. Read more
- 1951 — The ocean liner SS United States is christened and launched. Read more
- 1947 — The United States Senate follows the United States House of Representatives in overriding U.S. President Harry S. Truman's veto of the Taft–Hartley Act. Read more
- 1946 — The 1946 Vancouver Island earthquake strikes Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Read more
- 1944 — An F4 tornado tears through the Appalachian Mountains, killing over 100 people in West Virginia, particularly in the town of Shinnston. Read more
- 1942 — World War II: Germany's latest fighter aircraft, a Focke-Wulf Fw 190, is captured intact when it mistakenly lands at RAF Pembrey in Wales. Read more
- 1941 — The Lithuanian Activist Front declares independence from the Soviet Union and forms the Provisional Government of Lithuania; it lasts only briefly as the Nazis will occupy Lithuania a few weeks later. Read more
- 1940 — Henry Larsen begins the first successful west-to-east navigation of Northwest Passage from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Read more
- 1938 — The Civil Aeronautics Act is signed into law, forming the Civil Aeronautics Authority in the United States. Read more
- 1931 — Wiley Post and Harold Gatty take off from Roosevelt Field, Long Island in an attempt to circumnavigate the world in a single-engine plane. Read more
- 1926 — The College Board administers the first SAT exam. Read more
- 1925 — Shameen Incident: British Army and French Army soldiers stationed in the concession of Shameen open fire on Chinese protesters, resulting in at least 52 deaths. Read more
- 1919 — Estonian War of Independence: The decisive defeat of the Baltische Landeswehr in the Battle of Cēsis; this date is celebrated as Victory Day in Estonia. Read more
- 1914 — Mexican Revolution: Pancho Villa takes Zacatecas from Victoriano Huerta. Read more
- 1913 — Second Balkan War: The Greeks defeat the Bulgarians in the Battle of Doiran. Read more
- 1908 — The Persian Cossack Brigade bombards the building of the National Consultative Assembly of Iran (Majles), killing hundreds of civilians. Read more
- 1894 — The International Olympic Committee is founded at the Sorbonne in Paris, at the initiative of Baron Pierre de Coubertin. Read more
- 1887 — The Rocky Mountains Park Act becomes law in Canada, creating the nation's first national park, Banff National Park. Read more
- 1868 — Christopher Latham Sholes receives a patent for an invention he called the "Type-Writer". Read more
- 1865 — American Civil War: At Fort Towson in the Oklahoma Territory, Confederate Brigadier General Stand Watie surrenders the last significant Confederate army. Read more
- 1860 — The United States Congress establishes the Government Printing Office. Read more
- 1812 — War of 1812: Great Britain revokes the restrictions on American commerce, thus eliminating one of the chief reasons for going to war. Read more
- 1810 — John Jacob Astor forms the Pacific Fur Company. Read more
- 1794 — Empress Catherine II of Russia grants Jews permission to settle in Kyiv. Read more
- 1780 — American Revolution: Battle of Springfield fought in and around Springfield, New Jersey (including Short Hills, formerly of Springfield, now of Millburn Township). Read more
- 1760 — Seven Years' War: Battle of Landeshut: Austria defeats Prussia. Read more
- 1758 — Seven Years' War: Battle of Krefeld: British, Hanoverian, and Prussian forces defeat French troops at Krefeld in Germany. Read more
- 1757 — Battle of Plassey: Three thousand British troops under Robert Clive defeat a 50,000-strong Indian army under Siraj ud-Daulah at Plassey. Read more
- 1713 — The French residents of Acadia are given one year to declare allegiance to Britain or leave Nova Scotia, Canada. Read more
- 1683 — William Penn signs a friendship treaty with Lenape Indians in Pennsylvania. Read more
- 1594 — The Action of Faial, Azores. The Portuguese carrack Cinco Chagas, loaded with slaves and treasure, is attacked and sunk by English ships with only 13 survivors out of over 700 on board. Read more
- 1565 — Dragut, commander of the Ottoman navy, dies during the Great Siege of Malta. Read more
- 1532 — Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France sign the "Treaty of Closer Amity With France" (also known as the Pommeraye treaty), pledging mutual aid against Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Read more
- 1314 — First War of Scottish Independence: The Battle of Bannockburn (south of Stirling) begins. Read more
- 1305 — A peace treaty between the Flemish and the French is signed at Athis-sur-Orge. Read more
- 1287 — The Aragonese fleet under Roger of Lauria defeats a Angevin fleet in the Battle of the Counts close to Naples. Read more
- 1280 — The Spanish Reconquista: In the Battle of Moclín the Emirate of Granada ambush a superior pursuing force, killing most of them in a military disaster for the Kingdom of Castile. Read more
- 1266 — War of Saint Sabas: In the Battle of Trapani, the Venetians defeat a larger Genoese fleet, capturing all its ships. Read more
Born on June 23
- 2008 — Lilliana Ketchman, American dancer and YouTuber Read more
- 2007 — Elliana Walmsley, American dancer Read more
- 2006 — Eli Junior Kroupi, French footballer Read more
- 2000 — Starford To'a, New Zealand rugby league player Read more
- 1994 — Ben Dwarshuis, Australian cricketer Read more
- 1994 — Roger Martínez, Colombian footballer Read more
- 1993 — Tim Anderson, American baseball player Read more
- 1993 — Marvin Grumann, German footballer Read more
- 1992 — Luiza Galiulina, Uzbekistani gymnast Read more
- 1992 — Nampalys Mendy, French footballer Read more
- 1991 — Katie Armiger, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
- 1990 — Clevid Dikamona, French footballer Read more
- 1990 — Vasek Pospisil, Canadian tennis player Read more
- 1990 — Laura Ràfols, Spanish footballer Read more
- 1989 — Lisa Carrington, New Zealand flatwater canoeist Read more
- 1989 — Jordan Nolan, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
- 1988 — Chet Faker, Australian singer-songwriter Read more
- 1988 — Chellsie Memmel, American gymnast Read more
- 1987 — Alessia Filippi, Italian swimmer Read more
- 1986 — Christy Altomare, American actress and singer-songwriter Read more
- 1985 — Marcel Reece, American football player Read more
- 1984 — Duffy, Welsh singer-songwriter and actress Read more
- 1984 — Takeshi Matsuda, Japanese swimmer Read more
- 1984 — Levern Spencer, Saint Lucian high jumper Read more
- 1983 — Brooks Laich, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
- 1983 — José Manuel Rojas, Chilean footballer Read more
- 1982 — Derek Boogaard, Canadian-American ice hockey player (died 2011) Read more
- 1981 — Antony Costa, English singer-songwriter Read more
- 1981 — Rolf Wacha, German rugby player Read more
- 1980 — Becky Cloonan, American author and illustrator Read more
- 1980 — Melissa Rauch, American actress Read more
- 1980 — Francesca Schiavone, Italian tennis player Read more
- 1979 — LaDainian Tomlinson, American football player Read more
- 1978 — Memphis Bleek, American rapper, producer, and actor Read more
- 1978 — Frederic Leclercq, French heavy metal musician Read more
- 1978 — Matt Light, American football player and sportscaster Read more
- 1977 — Miguel Ángel Angulo, Spanish footballer Read more
- 1977 — Hayden Foxe, Australian footballer and manager Read more
- 1977 — Jaan Jüris, Estonian ski jumper Read more
- 1977 — Jason Mraz, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
Died on June 23
- 2025 — Rebekah Del Rio, American singer-songwriter (born 1967) Read more
- 2025 — John Clark, Scottish Footballer and Lisbon Lion (born 1941) Read more
- 2021 — John McAfee, British-American computer programmer and businessman, founded McAfee (born 1945) Read more
- 2016 — Ralph Stanley, American singer and banjo player (born 1927) Read more
- 2015 — Miguel Facussé Barjum, Honduran businessman (born 1924) Read more
- 2015 — Nirmala Joshi, Indian nun, lawyer, and social worker (born 1934) Read more
- 2015 — Dick Van Patten, American actor (born 1928) Read more
- 2014 — Nancy Garden, American author (born 1938) Read more
- 2014 — Euros Lewis, Welsh cricketer (born 1942) Read more
- 2014 — Paula Kent Meehan, American businesswoman, co-founded Redken (born 1931) Read more
- 2013 — Bobby Bland, American singer-songwriter (born 1930) Read more
- 2013 — Gary David Goldberg, American screenwriter and producer (born 1944) Read more
- 2013 — Frank Kelso, American admiral and politician, United States Secretary of the Navy (born 1933) Read more
- 2013 — Kurt Leichtweiss, German mathematician and academic (born 1927) Read more
- 2013 — Richard Matheson, American author and screenwriter (born 1926) Read more
- 2013 — Darryl Read, English singer-songwriter, drummer, and actor (born 1951) Read more
- 2013 — Sharon Stouder, American swimmer (born 1948) Read more
- 2012 — James Durbin, English economist and statistician (born 1923) Read more
- 2012 — Brigitte Engerer, French pianist and educator (born 1952) Read more
- 2012 — Alan McDonald, Northern Ireland footballer and manager (born 1963) Read more
- 2012 — Frank Chee Willeto, American soldier and politician, 4th Vice President of the Navajo Nation (born 1925) Read more
- 2012 — Walter J. Zable, American football player and businessman, founded the Cubic Corporation (born 1915) Read more
- 2011 — Peter Falk, American actor (born 1927) Read more
- 2011 — Dennis Marshall, Costa Rican footballer (born 1985) Read more
- 2011 — Fred Steiner, American composer and conductor (born 1923) Read more
- 2010 — John Burton, Australian public servant and diplomat (born 1915) Read more
- 2009 — Raymond Berthiaume, Canadian singer-songwriter and producer (born 1931) Read more
- 2009 — Ed McMahon, American game show host and announcer (born 1923) Read more
- 2009 — Jerri Nielsen, American physician and explorer (born 1952) Read more
- 2008 — Claudio Capone, Italian-Scottish actor (born 1952) Read more
- 2008 — Arthur Chung, Guyanese surveyor and politician, 1st President of Guyana (born 1918) Read more
- 2008 — Marian Glinka, Polish actor and bodybuilder (born 1943) Read more
- 2007 — Rod Beck, American baseball player (born 1968) Read more
- 2006 — Aaron Spelling, American actor, producer, and screenwriter, founded Spelling Television (born 1923) Read more
- 2006 — Harriet, Western Santa Cruz tortoise (born c. 1830) Read more
- 2005 — Shana Alexander, American journalist and author (born 1926) Read more
- 2005 — Manolis Anagnostakis, Greek poet and critic (born 1925) Read more
- 2002 — Pedro Alcázar, Panamanian boxer (born 1975) Read more
- 2000 — Peter Dubovský, Slovak footballer (born 1972) Read more
- 1998 — Maureen O'Sullivan, Irish-American actress (born 1911) Read more
Holidays & observances
Christian feast day:
Æthelthryth; Christian feast day:
Joseph Cafasso; Christian feast day:
Blessed Maria Raffaella Cimatti; Christian feast day:
Marie of Oignies; Christian feast day:
Thomas Garnet; Christian feast day:
June 23 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Father's Day (Nicaragua, Poland); Grand Duke's Official Birthday (Luxembourg); International Women in Engineering Day; International Widows Day (international); National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism (Canada); Okinawa Memorial Day (Okinawa Prefecture); Saint John's Eve and the first day of the Midsummer celebrations (although this is not the real summer solstice; see June 20) (Roman Catholic Church, Europe):
Bonfires of Saint John (Spain); Saint John's Eve and the first day of the Midsummer celebrations (although this is not the real summer solstice; see June 20) (Roman Catholic Church, Europe):
First night of Festa de São João do Porto (Porto); Saint John's Eve and the first day of the Midsummer celebrations (although this is not the real summer solstice; see June 20) (Roman Catholic Church, Europe):
First day of Golowan Festival (Cornwall); Saint John's Eve and the first day of the Midsummer celebrations (although this is not the real summer solstice; see June 20) (Roman Catholic Church, Europe):
Jaaniõhtu (Estonia); Saint John's Eve and the first day of the Midsummer celebrations (although this is not the real summer solstice; see June 20) (Roman Catholic Church, Europe):
Jāņi (Latvia); Saint John's Eve and the first day of the Midsummer celebrations (although this is not the real summer solstice; see June 20) (Roman Catholic Church, Europe):
Kupala Night (Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine); Saint John's Eve and the first day of the Midsummer celebrations (although this is not the real summer solstice; see June 20) (Roman Catholic Church, Europe):
Last day of Drăgaica fair (Buzău, Romania); United Nations Public Service Day (International); Victory Day (Estonia)
Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “June 23”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.