Europa
- European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Totalitarian Regimes (Black Ribbon Day)
On August 23, Europe commemorates the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes, also known as Black Ribbon Day. This date marks the anniversary of the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1939 between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. The pact and its secret protocol divided Central and Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, paving the way for the outbreak of World War II and leading to mass suffering, deportations, and atrocities under both Nazi and Stalinist regimes. - The European Parliament formally established this day of remembrance in 2008, aiming to honor the millions of victims of totalitarian regimes, including those who perished in concentration camps, gulags, and through mass deportations and executions. The day serves as a reminder of the consequences of authoritarianism and the importance of safeguarding democracy and human rights across Europe.
- Key Event: Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939)
On August 23, 1939, the foreign ministers of Nazi Germany (Joachim von Ribbentrop) and the Soviet Union (Vyacheslav Molotov) signed a non-aggression pact in Moscow. The pact included a secret protocol dividing Eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence. This agreement directly preceded the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, which triggered World War II. - 1944: Romania Switches Sides in WWII
On this day, a coup led by King Michael I of Romania removed the pro-Axis government of Ion Antonescu. Romania then declared support for the Allies, a move that contributed to shortening the war in Eastern Europe. - 1305: Execution of William Wallace
The Scottish national hero William Wallace was executed in London for leading resistance against English rule. - 1328: Battle of Cassel
French troops suppressed an uprising of Flemish farmers, reinforcing royal authority in Flanders.
America
- 1775: Proclamation of Rebellion by King George III
King George III issued the Proclamation of Rebellion, declaring that the American colonies were in a state of open rebellion against the British Crown. This marked a significant escalation in the American Revolutionary War. - 1831: Suppression of Nat Turner’s Rebellion
Nat Turner’s rebellion, a major slave uprising in Southampton County, Virginia, was suppressed on this day. The revolt had a profound impact on the national conversation about slavery and led to harsher laws against enslaved people. - 1927: Execution of Sacco and Vanzetti
Italian immigrants Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed in Massachusetts after a controversial trial. Their case became a symbol of injustice and anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States. - 1954: First Flight of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules
The U.S. military’s C-130 Hercules transport aircraft made its maiden flight. The C-130 would go on to become one of the most widely used military transport aircraft in history. - 1970: Start of the Salad Bowl Strike
Led by labor leader César Chávez, the Salad Bowl strike began. It became the largest farm worker strike in U.S. history and was a pivotal moment in the labor and civil rights movements. - 1784: State of Franklin Declared
Western North Carolina (now eastern Tennessee) declared itself the independent State of Franklin. The state was never recognized and lasted only four years. - 1954: First Europe-U.S. Live TV Program via Telstar
The first live television program between Europe and the United States was broadcast via the Telstar satellite, marking a milestone in communications.
Asia
- 1896: The Cry of Pugad Lawin – Philippine Revolution Begins
On August 23, 1896, Filipino revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio and his fellow Katipuneros gathered at Pugad Lawin, tore up their cedulas (residence certificates), and issued the first cry for independence against Spanish colonial rule. This act marked the start of the Philippine Revolution, a pivotal moment in the country’s struggle for freedom from Spain. - 1870: Inauguration of Manila’s First Water System
The Carriedo Waterworks, the first water system to supply Manila, was inaugurated on August 23, 1870. The project was made possible by a donation from Spanish philanthropist Francisco Carriedo and represented a significant advancement in public health and infrastructure in the Philippines. - 1914: Japan Declares War on Germany (World War I)
On August 23, 1914, Japan declared war on Germany, entering World War I on the side of the Allies. This move was driven by Japan’s interests in expanding its influence in East Asia and seizing German-held territories in the region. - 1945: Key Events in the End of World War II and Asian Independence Movements
The closing days of World War II saw several significant events in Asia around August 23, 1945. The Soviet Union achieved victory in the Battle of Shumshu, part of its campaign against Japanese forces in the Kuril Islands. Simultaneously, the August Revolution in Vietnam was underway, with the Viet Minh launching an uprising against French colonial rule, leading to the abdication of the last emperor and the declaration of Vietnamese independence. - In Indonesia, the declaration of independence on August 17, 1945, sparked the Indonesian National Revolution, which continued to unfold in the days following, including August 23.
- 1990: Armenia Declares Independence from the Soviet Union
On August 23, 1990, Armenia declared its independence from the Soviet Union, marking a crucial step in the dissolution of the USSR and the emergence of new independent states in the region.
Africa
- International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
August 23 is globally recognized as the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. This date commemorates the beginning of the 1791 uprising in Saint Domingue (now Haiti), which played a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. The day is especially significant for Africa, as millions of Africans were forcibly taken from the continent during the slave trade. UNESCO encourages all African countries to mark this day with educational and cultural events, reflecting on the historical causes, consequences, and legacies of slavery. - 1997: Zambia
Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda was shot and wounded by police during a rally in Kabwe. Kaunda, a leading figure in Zambia’s independence and its first president, survived the incident, which highlighted ongoing political tensions in the country. - 1985: South Africa
Throughout late August 1985, including this week, massive protests erupted against the apartheid regime. Demonstrations, especially in Cape Town, were met with violent repression, resulting in deaths, injuries, and mass arrests. These protests intensified international pressure on the apartheid government and contributed to the eventual dismantling of apartheid.
This day in history: 23 august