Europa
- Hungarian Revolution of 1956
On October 23, 1956, a significant anti-Soviet uprising began in Budapest, Hungary. University students initiated demonstrations that quickly drew in workers and the general public, leading to mass protests against Communist rule and Soviet domination. The Hungarian Revolution marked a pivotal moment in Cold War Europe, as Soviet forces responded with military intervention, resulting in several days of intense fighting before the revolt was ultimately crushed. - The Battle of Sagrajas (1086)
On this day in 1086, the Battle of Sagrajas (also known as the Battle of Zallaqa) took place during the Spanish Reconquista. The Almoravid army defeated the Castilian forces, though they were unable to capitalize on their victory in the long term. - Battle of Grathe Heath (1157)
The Danish Civil War ended with the Battle of Grathe Heath, which saw the defeat of King Sweyn III and the consolidation of power by Valdemar I, shaping the future of Denmark. - First Treaty of the Auld Alliance (1295)
The first treaty forming the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France was signed in Paris, establishing a long-lasting diplomatic and military partnership against England. - Hitler and Franco Meet at Hendaye (1940)
On October 23, 1940, Adolf Hitler met with Spanish dictator Francisco Franco at Hendaye, France, to discuss Spain’s possible entry into World War II on the Axis side. The talks ultimately failed to bring Spain into the war. - Imatra Cinema Fire in Finland (1927)
A tragic fire destroyed the Imatra Cinema in Tampere, Finland, during the showing of the film Wages of Virtue. The disaster killed 21 people and injured nearly 30, marking one of Finland’s worst cinema tragedies. - Jean-Paul Sartre Turns Down Nobel Prize (1964)
French philosopher and writer Jean-Paul Sartre publicly declined the Nobel Prize in Literature, stating he did not want to be institutionalized or take sides in the Cold War struggle between East and West. - 1906: Alberto Santos-Dumont achieves the first heavier-than-air flight in Europe.
- 1911: First use of an airplane in combat during the Italo-Turkish War.
- 1912: The Battle of Kumanovo begins in the First Balkan War.
- 1923: A failed Communist insurrection occurs in Hamburg, Germany.
- 1989: Hungary officially declares itself a republic, 33 years after the failed 1956 uprising.
America
- Beirut Barracks Bombing (1983)
On October 23, 1983, suicide bombers attacked the barracks of U.S. Marines in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 American servicemen. This was one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. military personnel and led to the eventual withdrawal of American forces from Lebanon. - Watergate Scandal: Nixon Agrees to Release Tapes (1973)
President Richard Nixon agreed to turn over White House tape recordings to Judge John J. Sirica, a pivotal moment in the Watergate scandal that contributed to Nixon’s resignation. - First National Women’s Rights Convention (1850)
The first National Women’s Rights Convention was held in Worcester, Massachusetts, gathering more than a thousand delegates from 11 states and marking a key milestone in the American suffrage movement. - Civil War: Battle of Westport (1864)
Union forces led by General Samuel R. Curtis defeated Confederate troops under General Sterling Price in Missouri, a significant Union victory in the western theater of the Civil War. - Blanche S. Scott’s Historic Flight (1910)
Blanche S. Scott became the first woman to make a public solo airplane flight in the United States, reaching an altitude of 12 feet in Fort Wayne, Indiana. - Women’s Suffrage March in New York (1915)
Approximately 25,000 women marched up Fifth Avenue in New York City demanding the right to vote, highlighting the growing momentum of the suffrage movement. - Stock Market Crash Begins (1929)
The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged, marking the beginning of the stock market crash that led to the Great Depression. - Battle of Leyte Gulf Begins (1944)
The largest naval battle in history, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, began in the Philippines, marking a turning point in the Pacific theater of World War II. - NBC Airs First Coast-to-Coast Videotape (1956)
NBC broadcasted the first videotape recording across the U.S., featuring comedian Jonathan Winters. - Enron CEO Sentenced (2006)
Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling was sentenced to over 24 years in prison for his role in the company’s collapse, which wiped out thousands of jobs and billions in market value.
Asia
- Battle of Buxar (1764, India)
On October 23, 1764, the Battle of Buxar was fought in India. The combined forces of Mir Qasim (the Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (the Nawab of Awadh), and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II were decisively defeated by the British East India Company. This victory solidified British dominance in northern India and was a pivotal moment in the establishment of British colonial rule. - Beijing Coup (1924, China)
On October 23, 1924, Chinese warlord Feng Yuxiang staged a coup in Beijing, ousting the Zhili clique from power. This event, known as the Beijing Coup, significantly altered the political landscape of Republican China and marked a turning point in the Warlord Era. - Founding of the ‘Jhansi Ki Rani Brigade’ (1943, Singapore/India)
On this day in 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose established the ‘Jhansi Ki Rani Brigade’ of the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) in Singapore. This all-female combat regiment was named after the famous Indian queen and freedom fighter Rani Lakshmibai, symbolizing women’s active role in the struggle for Indian independence. - Battle of Leyte Gulf Begins (1944, Philippines)
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history, began on October 23, 1944, off the coast of the Philippines. This battle was a decisive engagement in the Pacific Theater of World War II, leading to the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation. - Battle of Marawi Ends (2017, Philippines)
The Battle of Marawi, a five-month-long conflict between Philippine government forces and Islamist militants, officially ended on October 23, 2017. The battle resulted in the liberation of Marawi City but left much of it devastated.
Africa
- Second Battle of El Alamein Begins (1942, Egypt)
On October 23, 1942, the Second Battle of El Alamein commenced in Egypt. This pivotal World War II battle saw Allied forces, including many South Africans, launch a major offensive against Axis troops led by Erwin Rommel. The victory at El Alamein marked a turning point in the North African campaign, eventually leading to the retreat of Axis forces from Egypt and much of North Africa. - Notably, Lucas Majozi, a Black South African medic, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his extraordinary bravery during this battle. Despite being wounded, he repeatedly risked his life to rescue fellow soldiers under heavy fire, becoming one of the most decorated Black South African soldiers of the war.
- Naming of Pietermaritzburg (1838, South Africa)
On this day in 1838, the Voortrekkers decided to name the first planned town in Natal “Pietermaritzburg,” in honor of their leaders Piet Retief and Gerrit Maritz. The town would go on to play a significant role in South African history. - Imposition of Economic Sanctions on South Africa
October 23 has also seen important political decisions related to Africa, such as the imposition of economic sanctions on South Africa as part of the global anti-apartheid movement. - 1911: The first use of aircraft in war occurred, with relevance to the Italo-Turkish War in North Africa.
- Zambia’s Independence (1964): While Zambia’s formal independence is marked on October 24, the lead-up and celebrations began on October 23, culminating in the end of colonial rule in the country.
This day in history: 23 october