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On This Day in History — March 23

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Highlights of March 23

2025 — Gaza war: Israel Defense Forces killed 15 aid workers in the Rafah paramedic massacre. Read more
2021 — A container ship ran aground and obstructed the Suez Canal for six days. Read more
2005 — A fire and explosion at an oil refinery in Texas City, the third-largest in the United States, killed 15 workers. Read more
2001 — The Russian space agency deorbited the space station Mir, causing it to reenter the Earth's atmosphere and break up over the Pacific Ocean. Read more
1996 — Lee Teng-hui was elected President of the Republic of China in the first direct presidential election in Taiwan. Read more
1994 — Aeroflot Flight 593 crashed into a hillside in Russia's Kemerovo Oblast, killing all 75 people on board, after the pilot's 15-year-old son unknowingly disabled the autopilot while seated at the controls. Read more
1993 — The demolition of Kowloon Walled City, a densely crowded slum in Hong Kong, began. Read more
1991 — The Sierra Leone Civil War began with the invasion of the Revolutionary United Front, in an attempt to overthrow President Joseph Saidu Momoh. Read more
1989 — Two researchers announced the discovery of cold fusion, a claim that was later discredited. Read more
1988 — Angolan and Cuban forces defeated South Africa in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. Read more
1982 — Guatemala's government, headed by Fernando Romeo Lucas García was overthrown in a military coup by right-wing General Efraín Ríos Montt. Read more
1977 — British journalist David Frost began a series of interviews with former U.S. president Richard Nixon, starting with the Watergate scandal. Read more
1933 — The Nazi Party took the first step in the Gleichschaltung process by having the Enabling Act passed, giving the government the right to make laws without the involvement of the Reichstag. Read more
1931 — Bhagat Singh, one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement, and two others were executed by the British authorities for their murder of a police officer. Read more
1919 — Benito Mussolini and his supporters founded the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento, the predecessor of the National Fascist Party. Read more
1908 — American diplomat Durham Stevens, an employee of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was fatally shot in San Francisco by two Korean immigrants unhappy with his support of increased Japanese presence in Korea. Read more
1905 — About 1,500 Cretans, led by Eleftherios Venizelos, met at the village of Theriso to call for the island's unification with Greece, beginning the Theriso revolt. Read more
1889 — Mirza Ghulam Ahmad founded the Ahmadiyya Islamic religious movement in British India. Read more
1888 — Chaired by William McGregor, a meeting of ten English football clubs was held in London, eventually resulting in the establishment of the Football League. Read more
1868 — Governor of California Henry Huntly Haight signed a law establishing the University of California, today a public university system that is considered a model for public institutions across the United States. Read more
1862 — American Civil War: General Stonewall Jackson of the Confederate States Army lost the First Battle of Kernstown, but was still able to prevent the Union Army from reinforcing the Peninsula campaign. Read more
1848 — The Italian tricolour is adopted for the flag of the Kingdom of Sardinia by Charles Albert of Sardinia during the First Italian War of Independence. Read more
1839 — An earthquake struck central Burma, causing significant damage and killing an estimated 300 to 400 people. Read more
1775 — American Revolution: Patrick Henry made his "Give me liberty or give me death!" speech to the House of Burgesses of Virginia, urging military action against the British Empire. Read more
1400 — After 175 years of rule, the Trần dynasty of Vietnam was deposed by Hồ Quý Ly, a court official. Read more
625 — The Muslim army under Muhammad suffered a defeat against the Quraysh in the Battle of Uhud (depicted). Read more

Events

2026 — An Aerospace Force Lockheed C-130 crashes during take-off in Puerto Leguízamo, Colombia, killing 69 people. Read more
2025 — Israel Defense Forces kill 15 aid workers in the Rafah paramedic massacre. Read more
2021 — A container ship runs aground and obstructs the Suez Canal for six days. Read more
2020 — Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts the United Kingdom into its first national lockdown in response to COVID-19. Read more
2019 — The Kazakh capital of Astana is renamed to Nur-Sultan. Read more
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 Levant after four years of fighting, although the group maintains a scattered presence and sleeper cells across Syria and Iraq. Read more
2018 — 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. Read more
2014 — 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. Read more
2010 — The Affordable Care Act becomes law in the United States. Read more
2009 — 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. Read more
2008 — Official opening of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, India. Read more
2003 — Battle of Nasiriyah, first major conflict during the invasion of Iraq. Read more
2001 — The Russian Mir space station is disposed of, breaking up in the atmosphere before falling into the southern Pacific Ocean near Fiji. Read more
1999 — Gunmen assassinate Paraguay's Vice President Luis María Argaña. Read more
1996 — Taiwan holds its first direct elections and chooses Lee Teng-hui as President. Read more
1994 — At an election rally in Tijuana, Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio is assassinated by Mario Aburto Martínez. Read more
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 soldiers on the ground alongside destroying a Starlifter by accident. This later became known as the Green Ramp disaster. Read more
1994 — Aeroflot Flight 593 crashes into the Kuznetsk Alatau mountain, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia, killing 75. Read more
1991 — 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. Read more
1988 — Angolan and Cuban forces defeat South Africa in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. Read more
1983 — Strategic Defense Initiative: President Ronald Reagan makes his initial proposal to develop technology to intercept enemy missiles. Read more
1982 — Guatemala's government, headed by Fernando Romeo Lucas García, is overthrown in a military coup by right-wing General Efraín Ríos Montt. Read more
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. Read more
1978 — The first UNIFIL troops arrive in Lebanon for a peacekeeping mission along the Blue Line. Read more
1977 — 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. Read more
1965 — NASA launches Gemini 3, the United States' first two-man space flight (crew: Gus Grissom and John Young). Read more
1956 — Pakistan becomes the first Islamic republic in the world. This date is now celebrated as Republic Day in Pakistan. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
1935 — Signing of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Read more
1933 — The Reichstag passes the Enabling Act of 1933, making Adolf Hitler dictator of Germany. Read more
1931 — Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar are hanged for the killing of a deputy superintendent of police during the Indian independence movement. Read more
1919 — In Milan, Italy, Benito Mussolini founds his Fascist political movement. Read more
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 men becoming prisoners of war. Read more
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. Read more
1909 — Theodore Roosevelt leaves New York for a post-presidency safari in Africa. The trip is sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society. Read more
1905 — Eleftherios Venizelos calls for Crete's union with Greece, and begins what is to be known as the Theriso revolt. Read more
1901 — Emilio Aguinaldo, only President of the First Philippine Republic, is captured at Palanan, Isabela by the forces of American General Frederick Funston. Read more
1889 — The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is established by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in Qadian, British India. Read more
1888 — In England, The Football League, the world's oldest professional association football league, meets for the first time. Read more
1885 — Sino-French War: Chinese victory in the Battle of Phu Lam Tao near Hưng Hóa, northern Vietnam. Read more
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. Read more
1868 — The University of California is founded in Oakland, California when the Organic Act is signed into law. Read more
1862 — 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. Read more
1857 — Elisha Otis's first elevator is installed at 488 Broadway New York City. Read more
1848 — The ship John Wickliffe arrives at Port Chalmers carrying the first Scottish settlers for Dunedin, New Zealand. Otago province is founded. Read more
1839 — A massive earthquake destroys the former capital Inwa of the Konbaung dynasty, present-day Myanmar. Read more
1821 — Greek War of Independence: Battle and fall of city of Kalamata. Read more
1806 — 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. Read more
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. Read more
1775 — American Revolutionary War: Patrick Henry delivers his speech – "Give me liberty or give me death!" – at St. John's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia. Read more
1568 — The Peace of Longjumeau is signed, ending the second phase of the French Wars of Religion. Read more
1540 — Waltham Abbey in England is surrendered to King Henry VIII, the last religious community to be closed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Read more
1400 — The Trần dynasty of Vietnam is deposed, after one hundred and seventy-five years of rule, by Hồ Quý Ly, a court official. Read more
625 — The Muslim army under Muhammad suffers a defeat against the Quraysh in the battle of Uhud. Read more

Born on March 23

2001 — Anna Hall, American world champion heptathlete Read more
1997 — Ben Manenti, Australian cricketer Read more
1996 — Alexander Albon, Thai-British race car driver Read more
1996 — Joel Kiviranta, Finnish ice hockey player Read more
1995 — Kevin Kauber, Estonian footballer Read more
1995 — Jan Lisiecki, Canadian pianist Read more
1995 — Victoria Pedretti, American actress Read more
1995 — Ozan Tufan, Turkish footballer Read more
1994 — Nick Powell, English footballer Read more
1994 — Oskar Sundqvist, Swedish ice hockey player Read more
1994 — Bridger Zadina, American actor Read more
1993 — Quinn Cook, American basketball player Read more
1993 — Tomáš Hyka, Czech ice hockey player Read more
1993 — Dmitrij Jaškin, Russian-Czech ice hockey player Read more
1993 — Aytaç Kara, Turkish footballer Read more
1992 — Tolga Ciğerci, German-Turkish footballer Read more
1992 — Kyrie Irving, Australian-American basketball player Read more
1992 — Vanessa Morgan, Canadian actress Read more
1991 — Facundo Campazzo, Argentine basketball player Read more
1991 — Erik Haula, Finnish ice hockey player Read more
1991 — Gregg Wylde, Scottish footballer Read more
1990 — Jaime Alguersuari, Spanish race car driver Read more
1990 — Mark Barberio, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
1990 — Princess Eugenie, English royal Read more
1990 — Gordon Hayward, American basketball player Read more
1990 — Robert Zickert, German footballer Read more
1989 — Ayesha Curry, Canadian-American chef, author and television personality Read more
1989 — Nikola Gulan, Serbian footballer Read more
1989 — Luis Fernando Silva, Mexican footballer Read more
1988 — Dellin Betances, American baseball player Read more
1988 — Jason Kenny, English cyclist Read more
1988 — Michal Neuvirth, Czech ice hockey player Read more
1987 — Alan Toovey, Australian footballer Read more
1986 — Patrick Bordeleau, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
1986 — Andrea Dovizioso, Italian motorcycle racer Read more
1986 — Brett Eldredge, American singer-songwriter and musician Read more
1986 — Kangana Ranaut, Indian actress Read more
1985 — Maurice Jones-Drew, American football player Read more
1985 — Bethanie Mattek-Sands, American tennis player Read more
1984 — Ryan Araña, Filipino basketball player Read more

Died on March 23

2026 — Valerie Perrine, American actress (born 1943) Read more
2026 — Chip Taylor, American singer and songwriter (born 1940) Read more
2025 — Mia Love, American politician (born 1975) Read more
2022 — Madeleine Albright, Czechoslovak-American diplomat, 64th United States Secretary of State (born 1937) Read more
2021 — George Segal, American actor (born 1934) Read more
2021 — Julie Pomagalski, French snowboarder (born 1980) Read more
2017 — Miroslava Breach, Mexican investigative journalist (born 1962) Read more
2016 — Joe Garagiola, American baseball player and sportscaster (born 1926) Read more
2016 — Ken Howard, American actor (born 1944) Read more
2015 — Gian Vittorio Baldi, Italian director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1930) Read more
2015 — Lee Kuan Yew, Singaporean lawyer and politician, 1st Prime Minister of Singapore (born 1923) Read more
2015 — Bobby Lowther, American basketball player and lieutenant (born 1923) Read more
2015 — Lil' Chris, English singer-songwriter, actor, and television personality (born 1990) Read more
2014 — Dave Brockie, Canadian-American singer-songwriter and bass player (born 1963) Read more
2014 — Jaroslav Šerých, Czech painter and illustrator (born 1928) Read more
2014 — Adolfo Suárez, Spanish lawyer and politician, 1st Prime Minister of Spain (born 1932) Read more
2014 — Peter Oakley, English YouTuber (born 1927) Read more
2013 — Boris Berezovsky, Russian-born Soviet-British mathematician and businessman (born 1946) Read more
2013 — Onofre Corpuz, Filipino economist, historian, and academic (born 1926) Read more
2013 — Virgil Trucks, American baseball player and coach (born 1917) Read more
2013 — Joe Weider, Canadian-American bodybuilder and publisher, co-founded the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (born 1919) Read more
2012 — Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, Somalian politician, President of Somalia (born 1934) Read more
2012 — Jim Duffy, American animator, director, and producer (born 1937) Read more
2012 — Naji Talib, Iraqi politician, 52nd Prime Minister of Iraq (born 1917) Read more
2012 — Lonnie Wright, American basketball and football player (born 1945) Read more
2011 — Jean Bartik, American computer scientist and engineer (born 1924) Read more
2011 — Rosario Morales, Puerto Rican poet and writer (born 1930) Read more
2011 — Elizabeth Taylor, American-British actress, socialite and humanitarian (born 1932) Read more
2009 — Ghukas Chubaryan, Armenian sculptor (born 1923) Read more
2009 — Raúl Macías, Mexican boxer and trainer (born 1934) Read more
2008 — Vaino Vahing, Estonian psychiatrist, author, and playwright (born 1940) Read more
2007 — Paul Cohen, American mathematician and theorist (born 1934) Read more
2007 — Eric Medlen, American race car driver (born 1973) Read more
2006 — David B. Bleak, American sergeant, Medal of Honor recipient (born 1932) Read more
2006 — Desmond Doss, American soldier, Medal of Honor recipient (born 1919) Read more
2006 — Cindy Walker, American singer-songwriter and dancer (born 1918) Read more
2004 — Rupert Hamer, Australian soldier, lawyer, and politician, 39th Premier of Victoria (born 1916) Read more
2003 — Fritz Spiegl, Austrian-English flute player and journalist (born 1926) Read more
2002 — Eileen Farrell, American soprano (born 1920) Read more
2002 — Ben Hollioake, Australian-English cricketer (born 1977) Read more

Holidays & observances

Christian feast day: Gregory the Illuminator (Episcopal Church); Christian feast day: Gwinear; Christian feast day: Joseph Oriol; Christian feast day: Ottone Frangipane; Christian feast day: Rafqa Pietra Choboq Ar-Rayès (Maronite Church); Christian feast day: Turibius of Mogrovejo; Christian feast day: Victorian, Frumentius and Companions; Christian feast day: March 23 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Day of Hungarian-Polish Friendship (Hungary and Poland); Day of the Sea (Bolivia); Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Day (Azerbaijan); Pakistan Day (Pakistan); Promised Messiah Day (Ahmadiyya); World Meteorological Day

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Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “March 23”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.