What Happened on February 23?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON FEBRUARY 23
Explore the most important historical events that happened on February 23, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Second Boer War
Year:
1900
Second Boer War: During the Battle of the Tugela Heights, the first British attempt to take Hart's Hill fails.
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Cuba
Year:
1903
Cuba leases Guantánamo Bay to the United States "in perpetuity".
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Émile Zola
Year:
1898
Émile Zola is imprisoned in France after writing J'Accuse…!, a letter accusing the French government of antisemitism and wrongfully imprisoning Captain Alfred Dreyfus.
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French Riviera
Year:
1887
The French Riviera is hit by a large earthquake, killing around 2,000.
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Sino-French War
Year:
1885
Sino-French War: French Army gains an important victory in the Battle of Đồng Đăng in the Tonkin region of Vietnam.
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Charles Martin Hall
Year:
1886
Charles Martin Hall produced the first samples of aluminium from the electrolysis of aluminium oxide, after several years of intensive work. He was assisted in this project by his older sister, Julia Brainerd Hall.
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Paul Harris (Rotary)
Year:
1905
Chicago attorney Paul Harris and three other businessmen meet for lunch to form the Rotary Club, the world's first service club.
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AEA Silver Dart
Year:
1909
The AEA Silver Dart makes the first powered flight in Canada and the British Empire.
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BIRTHS ON FEBRUARY 23
Discover famous people and historical figures born on February 23, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow
Year of birth:
1929
Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow (died 2008)
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Elston Howard
Year of birth:
1929
Elston Howard, American baseball player and coach (died 1980)
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Hans Herrmann
Year of birth:
1928
Hans Herrmann, German racing driver
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Paul West (writer, born 1930)
Year of birth:
1930
Paul West, English-American author, poet, and academic (died 2015)
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Tom Wesselmann
Year of birth:
1931
Tom Wesselmann, American painter and sculptor (died 2004)
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Diane Varsi
Year of birth:
1938
Diane Varsi, American actress (died 1992)
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Tom Osborne
Year of birth:
1937
Tom Osborne, American football player, coach, and politician
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Majel Barrett
Year of birth:
1932
Majel Barrett, American actress and producer (died 2008)
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DEATHS ON FEBRUARY 23
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on February 23, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Adolphus Frederick VI
Year of death:
1918
Adolphus Frederick VI, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (born 1882)
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Horst Wessel
Year of death:
1930
Horst Wessel, German SA officer (born 1907)
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Nellie Melba
Year of death:
1931
Nellie Melba, Australian soprano and actress (born 1861)
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Edward Elgar
Year of death:
1934
Edward Elgar, English composer and academic (born 1857)
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Friedrich von Esmarch
Year of death:
1908
Friedrich von Esmarch, German surgeon and academic (born 1823)
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Ernest Dowson
Year of death:
1900
Ernest Dowson, English poet, novelist, and short story writer (born 1867)
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Zygmunt Krasiński
Year of death:
1859
Zygmunt Krasiński, Polish poet and playwright (born 1812)
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Albrecht von Roon
Year of death:
1879
Albrecht von Roon, Prussian soldier and politician, 10th Minister President of Prussia (born 1803)
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HOLIDAYS ON FEBRUARY 23
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on February 23 around the world.
National Day (Brunei)
National Day (Brunei)
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Defender of the Fatherland Day
Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former Soviet Union, also held in various former Soviet republics: Defender of the Fatherland Day (Russia)
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Armed Forces Day (Tajikistan)
Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former Soviet Union, also held in various former Soviet republics: Armed Forces Day (Tajikistan) (Tajikistan)
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Polycarp
Christian feast day: Polycarp of Smyrna
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Mashramani
Mashramani-Republic Day (Guyana)
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Serenus the Gardener
Christian feast day: Serenus the Gardener
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February 23 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: February 23 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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The Emperor's Birthday
The Emperor's Birthday, birthday of Naruhito, the current Emperor of Japan (Japan)
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