This day in history: 23 june

Europa

• Battle of Bannockburn Begins (1314)
  On June 23, 1314, the Battle of Bannockburn began near Stirling, Scotland. This was a pivotal conflict in the First War of Scottish Independence, where the Scots, led by Robert the Bruce, faced the English army. The battle continued into the following day, ultimately resulting in a decisive Scottish victory that secured Scotland’s independence and established Robert the Bruce as a national hero.
• Treaty of Closer Amity (1532)
  On this day, Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France signed the “Treaty of Closer Amity With France” (also known as the Pommeraye treaty), pledging mutual aid against Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.
• International Olympic Committee Founded (1894)
  The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded in Paris at the initiative of French educator Pierre de Coubertin. This organization is responsible for organizing the Olympic Games, a major international sporting event.
• Brexit Referendum (2016)
  June 23, 2016, became a landmark date in British and European history as the United Kingdom voted in a referendum to leave the European Union (Brexit). With 51.9% voting to leave and 48.1% to remain, this was the first time a country decided to exit the EU, dramatically reshaping the political landscape of Europe.
• In 1758, during the Seven Years’ War, British, Hanoverian, and Prussian forces defeated French troops at the Battle of Krefeld in Germany.
• In 1760, Austria defeated Prussia at the Battle of Landeshut, also during the Seven Years’ War.
• In 1919, the decisive defeat of the Baltische Landeswehr in the Battle of Cēsis took place during the Estonian War of Independence; this date is celebrated as Victory Day in Estonia.
• In 1941, the Lithuanian Activist Front declared independence from the Soviet Union, forming the short-lived Provisional Government of Lithuania.

America

• Stand Watie Surrenders – End of the Civil War (1865)
  On June 23, 1865, Confederate General Stand Watie, a Cherokee chief, surrendered the last significant Confederate force at Fort Towson in the Oklahoma Territory. This marked the final formal surrender of Confederate troops, effectively ending the American Civil War.
• Patent for the Typewriter (1868)
  Christopher Latham Sholes and his colleagues were granted a U.S. patent for the typewriter on June 23, 1868. This invention revolutionized communication and office work in America and around the world.
• Government Printing Office Established (1860)
  The United States Congress established the Government Printing Office on this date, creating a centralized agency for printing and distributing official federal documents.
• 1836: The U.S. Congress approved the Deposit Act, which included provisions for distributing surplus federal revenue to the states.
• 1904: The first American motorboat race began on the Hudson River in New York.
• 1931: Aviators Wiley Post and Harold Gatty departed from New York on the first round-the-world flight in a single-engine plane.
• 1938: The Civil Aeronautics Authority, a precursor to the Federal Aviation Administration, was established.

Asia

• Battle of Plassey (1757)
  On June 23, 1757, the Battle of Plassey took place in Bengal, India. This was a decisive victory for the British East India Company over Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah and marked a pivotal moment in establishing British colonial rule in India. The outcome of this battle set the stage for nearly two centuries of British dominance in the Indian subcontinent.
• Completion of Duncan Dock, Bombay (1810)
  The construction of Duncan Dock in Bombay (now Mumbai) was completed on June 23, 1810. This dock became one of the largest wet docks in Asia at the time and played a significant role in the maritime trade and development of the region.
• Simon Commission Recommendation (1930)
  On June 23, 1930, the Simon Commission in London recommended the establishment of a federal India and the separation of Burma (now Myanmar) from India, influencing the future political landscape of South Asia.
• Recent Notable Events
  On June 23, 2008, JK Tire India Limited acquired the Mexican tire company Tornel and its subsidiaries, reflecting the growing global presence of Indian companies.
• On June 23, 2014, two Indian sites—Rani Ki Vav (Gujarat) and the Great Himalayan National Park (Himachal Pradesh)—were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Africa

• No Pan-Continental Event on June 23
  There is no single pan-African or continent-wide event specifically tied to June 23 in African history, such as an independence day or major holiday. However, several significant events and notable figures are associated with this date.
• Contextual Historical Events Around June 23
  Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Independence: While not on June 23, the DRC became independent from Belgium on June 30, 1960, marking a major milestone in African decolonization.
• Seychelles Independence: Seychelles gained independence from the United Kingdom on June 29, 1976.