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What happened on February 23 Please support our Sponsors - They help us keep this site Alive! 1455 Johannes Gutenberg prints first book, the Bible (estimated date) 1455 Traditional date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed from movable type. 1574 France begins 5th Holy War against Huguenots 1660 Charles XI becomes king of Sweden 1668 Fire in Wiener Hofburg in Vienna, emperor Leopold I rescued 1672 Joan Blaeus publishers destroyed by fire in Amsterdam 1689 Dutch prince William III proclaimed king of England 1778 Baron von Steuben joins the Continental Army at Valley Forge 1792 Humane Society of Massachusetts incorporated (erected life-saving stations for distressed mariners) 1792 Joseph Haydn's 94th Symphony in G, premieres 1797 French Forces launch a failed invasion of Britain. See Last invasion of Britain 1804 Conspirators against Napoleon, for restoration of Louis XVIII 1813 First US raw cotton-to-cloth mill founded in Waltham MA 1820 Cato Street Conspiracy: A plot to murder all the British cabinet ministers is exposed. 1821 College of Apothecaries organized in Philadelphia; first US pharmacy college 1822 Boston is incorporated as a city. 1830 Oxford, Ohio, home of Miami University, is incorporated. 1836 The Siege of the Alamo begins in San Antonio, Texas. 1847 General Zachary Taylor leads US troops to defeat Mexican General Santa Anna and his army at the Battle of Buena Vista in Mexico. 1848 A revolution in Paris brought the expulsion of King Louis-Philippe and established a Second Republic in France under Louis Napoleon (1808-1873). 1848 John Quincy Adams, 6th president of the US, dies of a stroke at age 80. 1852 "H M S Birkenhead" sinks off South Africa killing 420 troops 1854 Great-Britain & Orange Free state sign Convention of Bloemfontein 1854 The official independence of the Orange Free State is declared. 1861 By popular referendum, Texas becomes 7th state to secede from US 1861 Dutch Premier Floris A van Hall resigns 1861 President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrives secretly in Washington, D.C., after an assassination attempt in Baltimore, Maryland. 1866 Lebanon Valley College is founded in Annville, Pennsylvania. 1869 Louisiana governor signs public accommodations law 1870 Military control of Mississippi ends and it is readmitted to the Union. 1870 Mississippi is readmitted to the Union, after the Civil War. 1874 Major Walter Winfield patents game called "sphairistike" (lawn tennis) 1883 Alabama becomes the first U.S. state to enact an antitrust law. 1883 American Anti-Vivisection Society organized (Philadelphia) 1886 Aluminum manufacturing process developed 1886 London Times publishes world's first classified ad 1886 Tsjaikovski's symphony "Manfred," premieres 1887 Congress grants Seal Rocks to San Francisco 1887 French/Italian Riviera struck by Earthquake; 2,000 die 1887 The French Riviera is hit by a large earthquake, killing around 2,000. 1892 First college student government established, Bryn Mawr PA 1893 Rudolf Diesel receives a patent for the diesel engine. 1894 Stanley Cup Montréal AAA's awarded cup by trustees as Ottawa refuses to travel to Toronto to play 1895 Jaap Eden skates world record 10 km (17:56) 1895 William Heard, AME minister & educator, named minister to Liberia 1896 Tootsie Roll introduced by Leo Hirshfield 1898 In France, Emile Zola is imprisoned for writing his "J'accuse" letter accusing government of anti-Semitism & wrongly jailing Alfred Dreyfus 1898 mile Zola is imprisoned in France after writing "J'accuse", a letter accusing the French government of anti-Semitism and wrongfully placing Captain Alfred Dreyfus in jail. 1900 Battle at Hart's Hill, South-Africa (Boers vs British army) 1900 In South Africa the Boers and British troops fight in the Battle of Hart's Hill. 1900 Steamer "Rio de Janeiro" sinks in San Francisco Bay 1903 Cuba leases Guantanamo Bay to the United States "in perpetuity". 1903 Cuban state of Guantanamo leased to USA 1904 For $10 million the United States gains control of the Panama Canal Zone. 1905 Chicago, Illinois attorney Paul Harris and three other businessmen meet for lunch to form the Rotary Club, the world's first service club. 1905 Rotary Club International established by 4 men in Chicago 1906 Tommy Burns beats Marvin Hart for heavyweight boxing champion in 20 rounds 1909 At Baddeck, Nova Scotia J. A. D. McCurdy flies the Bell designed Silver Dart at an altitude of about 10 metres for nearly one kilometre across Baddeck Bay; first airplane flight in Canada by a Canadian; first powered flight in British Empire. 1909 Russian tsar Nicolas II dissolves Finnish Diet 1909 The AEA Silver Dart makes the first powered flight in Canada and the British Empire. 1910 First radio contest held (Philadelphia) 1914 In British Columbia a Fraser River rockslide nearly wipes out the area's salmon fishing industry, much later we do the same thing 1915 Germany sinks US ships Carib & Evelyn & torpedoes Norwegian ship Regin 1915 Nevada enforces convenient divorce law 1916 Congress authorizes McKinley Memorial $1 gold coin 1916 French artillery kills entire French 72nd division at Samogneux Verdun 1917 February revolution begins in Russia 1917 First demonstrations in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The beginning of the February Revolution. 1918 First victory of Red Army over the Kaiser's German troops near Narva and Pskov. Since 1923 this date become the Day of Red Army in honour of this victory. 1919 Benito Mussolini forms the Fascist Party in Italy. 1920 Visitor posting - Joseph Cecil Brissette was born to Benjamin and Elenore Brissette in Augusta, Maine - USA 1921 First US transcontinental air mail flight arrives in New York NY from San Francisco CA 1923 German Republic day with laws against worker 1923 Great Britain lowers import duty on German products from 26% to 5% 1927 The Federal Radio Commission (later renamed the Federal Communications Commission) begins to regulate the use of radio frequencies. 1934 Casey Stengel becomes manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers 1934 Coronation of King Leopold III of Belgium 1934 Lopold III becomes King of Belgium. 1936 First rocket air mail flight, Greenwood Lake NY 1938 Joe Louis KOs Nathan Mann in 3 for heavyweight boxing title 1939 Lou Thesz beats E Marshall in St Louis, to become wrestling champion 1940 Walt Disney's animated movie "Pinocchio," released 1941 Plutonium was first produced and isolated by Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg. 1942 Japanese sub fires on oil refinery in Ellwood CA 1943 German troops pull back through Kasserine-pass Tunisia 1944 forced deportation of the Chechen and Ingush people to Central Asia 1945 2nd Dutch government of Gerbrandy forms in London 1945 Canadian troops occupy Kalkar 1945 Operation Grenade General Simpson's 9th Army crosses Ruhr 1945 US Marines raise the American flag after taking Mount Suribachi on the island Iwo Jima, during WWII. 1945 World War II: Capitulation of German garrison in Pozna, city is liberated by Soviet and Polish forces. 1945 World War II: The Verona Philharmonic Theatre is bombed by Allied forces (re-opened 1975). 1945 Visitor posting - February 23, 1945 CAROLYN VIRGINIA BURNS is born.. - USA 1945 World War II: The capital of the Philippines, Manila, is liberated by American forces. 1947 General Eisenhower opens drive to raise $170 million in aid for European Jews 1947 International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is founded. 1951 In Korea Canadian troops with 27th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade make first contact with enemy. 1954 Pittsburgh begins the first mass inoculation of children against polio in the US, using the vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk. 1954 Syrian army drives out President Adib el-Shishakli 1954 The first mass vaccination of children against polio begins in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1955 Edgar Faure forms French government 1955 First meeting of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO). 1956 Russian party leader Khrushchev attacks memory of Stalin 1957 "Mr Wonderful" closes at Broadway Theater NYC after 383 performances 1957 The founding congress of the Senegalese Popular Bloc is opened in Dakar. 1958 5-time world driving champion Juan Fangio kidnapped by Cuban rebels 1958 Arturo Frondizi elected President of Argentina 1958 Cuban rebels kidnap 5-time world driving champion Juan Manuel Fangio. 1958 Last Municipal arc light, Mission & 25th removed (installed in 1913) 1959 Betsy Rawls wins LPGA Lake Worth Golf Open 1959 KVIE TV channel 6 in Sacramento-Stockton CA (PBS) begins broadcasting 1960 Demolition begins on Brooklyn's Ebbets Field (opened in 1913) 1961 Number one hit on UK music charts - Petula Clark - Sailor 1963 Visitor posting - Michael J. Dowling, loving father of Haley and Holly, was born. 1964 Charlie Finley signs a 4 year lease to keep A's in Kansas City 1965 Comedian Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy fame, dies in Santa Monica, CA. 1965 Constance Baker Motley elected Manhattan Borough president 1965 In Ottawa the Government approves collective bargaining and arbitration in the Civil Service but takes it away when it is convenient 1966 A military coup in Syria replaces the previous government. 1966 Aldo Moro forms Italian government 1966 Military coup in Syria ends Bitar government 1966 Premier Obote grabs power in Uganda 1967 25th amendment (Presidential succession) declared ratified 1967 John Herbert's "Fortune & Men's Eyes," premieres in New York NY 1967 Ted Workman replaces Senator Keith Davey as CFL commissioner 1967 US troops begin largest offensive of Vietnam War 1968 Wilt Chamberlain becomes first NBAer to score 25,000 points 1969 Nayif Hawatimah forms Democratic People's Front for Liberation of Palestine 1969 Start of hovercraft service between Vancouver and Nanaimo; first scheduled hovercraft service in Canada didn't last too many logs in the water 1970 Guyana becomes a republic (National Day) 1970 Holy Eucharist given by women for first time in Roman Catholic service 1971 Boston Bruins begin 13 NHL game win streak 1971 George Harrison is fined & his driving license is suspended for 1 year as a result of several speeding tickets 1971 Lieutenant Calley confesses & implicates Captain Medina 1973 Gold goes up $10 overnight to record $95 an ounce in London 1974 Number one hit on UK music charts - Suzi Quatro - Devil Gate Drive 1974 Teri Garr appears on Bob Newhart Show in "Confessions of an Orth" 1975 Amy Alcott wins LPGA Orange Blossom Golf Classic 1975 In response to the energy crisis, daylight saving time commences nearly two months early in the United States. 1976 Owners announce spring training won't open without a labor contract 1978 20th Grammy Awards Hotel California, Fleetwood Mac, Debbie Boone win 1978 William H. Webster took the oath of office as FBI Director. Director Webster continued Director Kelley's emphasis on "quality" investigations. 1979 "Sarava" opens at Mark Hellinger Theater NYC for 140 performances 1979 Cameron Mclanahan is born in California 1979 Frank Peterson Jr named first black general in Marine Corps 1979 W.A.C. Bennett dies at age 78; Premier of British Columbia from 1952 to 1972 1980 Eric Heiden wins all 5 speed skating golds at Lake Placid Olympics 1980 Visitor posting - David C was born in Baltimore, MD after 23 hours of labor - USA 1980 Oil tanker explosion off Pilos, Greece, causes 37-million-gallon spill 1981 23-F, Antonio Tejero attempts a coup d'tat by capturing the Spanish Congress of Deputies. 1981 People magazine features drug ordeal of Mackenzie & Papa John Phillips 1981 Spanish coup under Lieutenant-Colonel Antonio Tejero Molina fails 1982 Michael Frayn's "Noises Off," premieres in London 1983 25th Grammy Awards Rosanna, Toto IV, Men at Work win 1983 The Spanish Socialist government of Felipe Gonzlez and Miguel Boyer nationalizes Rumasa, a holding of Jos Mara Ruiz Mateos. 1983 USFL New Jersey Generals sign Heisman winner Herschel Walker (3 years-$5 million) 1985 Indiana basketball coach Bobby Knight throws a chair during a game 1985 US Senate confirms Edwin Meese III as Attorney General 1986 Despite losing, Red Sox Wade Boggs gets largest arbitration ($1.35M) 1986 Mary Beth Zimmerman wins LPGA Standard Register/Samaritan Golf Classic 1986 Nelli Fiere-Cooman runs world record 60 meter indoor (7.00 seconds) 1987 A supernova is seen in the Large Magellanic Cloud (see Supernova 1987a). 1987 Dick Howser retires from managing Kansas City Royals, due to brain tumor 1987 Russian Writers Union accepts Boris Pasternak posthumous as member 1987 Supernova 1987A in LMC first seen; first naked-eye supernova since 1604 1988 Chicago gives Cubs right to install lights & play up to 18 night games 1988 Yvonne van Gennip skates female record 3k (4:11.94) 1990 Ian Smith 173 New Zealand vs India, 136 balls, world record for no 9 bat 1990 Jose Napoleon Duarte, former Salvadoran president, dies at age 64. 1991 Greg Haugen scores a split decision over Hector "Macho" Camacho 1991 Gulf War: Ground troops cross the Saudi Arabia border and enter Iraq, thus starting the ground-phase of the war. 1991 In Thailand, General Sunthorn Kongsompong leads a bloodless coup d'tat, deposing Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan. 1991 Military coup in Thailand, Premier Choonhaven arrested 1991 North Carolina is first NCAA basketball team to win 1,500 games 1991 Patty Sheehan wins LPGA Orix Hawaiian Ladies Golf Open 1991 US insists Iraq publicly announce it is leaving Kuwait by 12 PM EST 1992 Andy Flower scores 115 on ODI debut, Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka 1992 The Socialist Labour Party is founded in Georgia. 1993 Gary Coleman wins $1,280,000 lawsuit against parents for high fees 1993 India complete a 3-0 series drubbing of England 1993 Sacramento Gold Miners admitted as CFL's 9th franchise (1st US team) 1994 Visitor posting - Brandon Tukes Birthday - USA 1995 Antoine Nduwayo appointed Premier of Burundi 1995 On Wall Street, The Dow Jones industrial average closes above 4,000 for the first time, ending the day at 4003.33. 1996 Mark Waugh scores 130 in World Cup vs Kenya, 207 w/brother Steve 1996 Visitor posting - Mitchell R. Leis Born - USA 1996 Rajindra Dhanraj takes 9-97 for Trinidad against Leeward Islands 1997 A large fire occurs in the Russian Space station, Mir. 1997 Visitor posting - austin Micheal Runnels was Born - USA 1997 Ali Abu Kamal opens fire in Empire State Building & kills 1 1997 American Express Senior Golf Invitational 1997 Jeff Sluman wins Tucson Golf Classic 1997 NBC TV shows "Schindler's List," completely uncensored, 65 million watch 1997 Scottish scientists announce the successful cloning of an adult mammal ("Dolly" the lamb). 1997 Tucson Chrysler Golf Classic 1998 Kissimmee Tornado Outbreak: Tornadoes in central Florida destroy or damage 2,600 structures and kill 42. 1998 Osama bin Laden publishes a fatwa declaring jihad against all Jews and Crusaders. 1998 Supreme Court lets Megan's Law stand 1998 Tornadoes in Florida kills at least 31 feb240303 first official Roman edict for persecution of Christians issued 1999 An avalanche destroys the Austrian village of Galtr, killing 31. 1999 Visitor posting - i am ten years old going on 11 my mom had me at the age of fifteen - USA 1999 Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah calan is charged with treason in Ankara, Turkey. 1999 Two avalanches in as many days are blamed for the death of 38 people in Austria. 2005 Slovakia Summit 2005 begins, marking the first occasion when a sitting American President visits Slovakia; Bush and Putin are in attendance. 2005 Vote of the controversial French law on colonialism, repealed start of 2006. 2006 Dubai Ports World agrees to postpone its plans to take over management of six U.S. ports after the proposal ignited harsh bipartisan criticism on Capitol Hill. 2007 A train derails on an evening express service near Grayrigg, Cumbria, United Kingdom, killing one person and injuring 22. This results in hundreds of points being checked over the UK after a few similar accidents. 2007 Japan launches its fourth spy satellite, stepping up its ability to monitor potential threats such as North Korea. More historical events added daily - keep checking back Add your own Personal Historic listing FREE! - Click Here Return to Daily Calendar Contact us at: info @ datesinhistory.com (remove the spaces) "This site contains links to other Internet sites. These links are not endorsements of any products or services in such sites, and no information in such site has been endorsed or approved by this site. We are not responsible for the content of external sites. We do not vouch for accuracy of the dates listed on this site." Privacy Policy . What happened on my birthday? Search other websites with Google If you added a Personal Historic listing - Find it on Google Get a HOUSE for $23,000 ?? 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