This day in history: 23 april

1660: The Oliva Agreement was signed between Sweden and Poland, ending the Second Northern War and confirming territorial arrangements in Northern and Central Europe.
1661: Coronation of Charles II as King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, marking the restoration of the monarchy after the English Civil War.
1920: The Grand National Assembly of Turkey was founded in Ankara, a pivotal moment in the establishment of modern Turkey.
1935: Poland adopted a new constitution, shaping its interwar political landscape.
1941: During World War II, the Greek government and King George II evacuated Athens before the invading German Wehrmacht.
1942: Baedeker Blitz—German bombers attacked British cities Exeter, Bath, and York in retaliation for the British raid on Lübeck.
1564 & 1616: April 23 is traditionally recognized as both the birth and death date of William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright and poet.

1635: The first public school in the United States, Boston Latin School, is founded in Boston, Massachusetts.
1789: President-elect George Washington moves into Franklin House in New York City, the first official residence of a U.S. President.
1791: James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States, is born.
1861: Arkansas troops seize Fort Smith during the early days of the Civil War.
1872: Charlotte E. Ray becomes the first African-American woman lawyer in the United States.
1896: The Vitascope, an early system for projecting movies onto a screen, is demonstrated in New York City.
1910: Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt delivers his famous “The Man in the Arena” speech.
1968: Students protesting the Vietnam War take over administration buildings and shut down Columbia University in New York City.
1985: Coca-Cola introduces “New Coke,” which is met with widespread public disapproval, prompting a return to the original formula within months.

1949: Establishment of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) during the Chinese Civil War. This marked a significant step in the modernization and expansion of China’s military capabilities.
2025: Cultural events begin in Bangkok, Thailand, to mark the 243rd anniversary of the Rattanakosin Era. These celebrations, running from April 23–27, commemorate the founding of the Rattanakosin Kingdom and the legacy of King Rama I, with exhibitions, performances, and ceremonies across major cultural sites.
2025: Galungan Day in Bali, Indonesia, is celebrated. This important Balinese Hindu holiday marks the time when ancestral spirits visit the Earth, observed with rituals and offerings. The festival is based on the Balinese 210-day calendar and coincides with April 23 in 2025.

1993: Eritrea began a three-day referendum on independence from Ethiopia, a pivotal moment after decades of conflict and foreign rule. This vote led to Eritrea becoming a sovereign nation later that year.
1988: The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola reached its climax. This decisive battle, involving Angolan, Cuban, and South African forces, marked a turning point in the Angolan Civil War and was crucial in the struggle against apartheid in Southern Africa. It is commemorated as a significant event in African and global history.