What Happened on December 23?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 23
Explore the most important historical events that happened on December 23, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
World War I
Year:
1914
World War I: Australian and New Zealand troops arrive in Cairo, Egypt.
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Battle of Sarikamish
Year:
1914
World War I: During the Battle of Sarikamish, Ottoman forces mistook one another for Russian troops. The following friendly fire incident leaves 2,000 Ottomans dead and many more wounded.
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Federal Reserve Act
Year:
1913
The Federal Reserve Act is signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson, creating the Federal Reserve System.
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Tampere conference of 1905
Year:
1905
The Tampere conference, where Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin meet for the first time, is held in Tampere, Finland.
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Battle of Magdhaba
Year:
1916
World War I: Battle of Magdhaba: Allied forces defeat Turkish forces in the Sinai Peninsula.
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Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919
Year:
1919
Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 becomes law in the United Kingdom.
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Transistor
Year:
1947
The transistor is first demonstrated at Bell Laboratories.
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Battle of Wake Island
Year:
1941
World War II: After 15 days of fighting, the Imperial Japanese Army occupies Wake Island.
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BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 23
Discover famous people and historical figures born on December 23, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Abdul Ghani Minhat
Year of birth:
1935
Abdul Ghani Minhat, Malaysian footballer and manager (died 2012)
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Johnny Kidd (singer)
Year of birth:
1935
Johnny Kidd, English singer-songwriter (died 1966)
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Esther Phillips
Year of birth:
1935
Esther Phillips, American R&B singer (died 1984)
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Akihito
Year of birth:
1933
Akihito, Emperor of Japan
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Noella Leduc
Year of birth:
1933
Noella Leduc, American baseball player (died 2014)
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Paul Hornung
Year of birth:
1935
Paul Hornung, American football player and sportscaster (died 2020)
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Willie Wood
Year of birth:
1936
Willie Wood, American football player (died 2020)
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Barney Rosenzweig
Year of birth:
1937
Barney Rosenzweig, American screenwriter and producer
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DEATHS ON DECEMBER 23
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on December 23, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Otto Schoetensack
Year of death:
1912
Otto Schoetensack, German anthropologist and academic (born 1850)
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Gungunhana
Year of death:
1906
Mdungazwe Ngungunyane Nxumalo, last emperor of the Gaza Empire (born c.1850)
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Swami Shraddhanand
Year of death:
1926
Swami Shraddhanand, Indian monk, missionary, and educator (born 1856)
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Mustafa Fehmi Kubilay
Year of death:
1930
Mustafa Fehmi Kubilay, Turkish lieutenant and educator (born 1906)
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Wilson Bentley
Year of death:
1931
Wilson Bentley, American meteorologist and photographer (born 1865)
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Frederick Temple
Year of death:
1902
Frederick Temple, English archbishop and academic (born 1821)
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Frederick Tracy Dent
Year of death:
1892
Frederick Tracy Dent, Brigadier General in the Regular United States Army, brother in law to President Ulysses S. Grant.
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Pehr Osbeck
Year of death:
1805
Pehr Osbeck, Swedish explorer and author (born 1723)
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HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 23
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on December 23 around the world.
Festivus
Festivus, a secular holiday made popular by the sitcom Seinfeld
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Armed Forces of Ukraine
Day of all level operational control structures servicemen (Ukraine)
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December 23 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian Feast Day: December 23 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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HumanLight
HumanLight (Secular humanism in United States)
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Charan Singh
Kisan Diwas (Uttar Pradesh, India)
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Tom Bawcock's Eve
Tom Bawcock's Eve (Mousehole, Cornwall)
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Night of the Radishes
Night of the Radishes (Oaxaca City, Mexico)
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Flag flying days in Sweden
Birthday of the Queen Silvia, an official flag flying day (Sweden)
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