April 23 in history — What Happened Today in History
April 23 in history is full of turning points. This page walks you through what happened on April 23 in history, who was born on April 23 and who passed away on April 23, so nothing about this day slips past you.
On this page, April 23 in history is arranged as a timeline of major events in reverse order, with birthdays and deaths in their own sections, plus a short FAQ about April 23 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on April 23 in History 40
- 2024
The 2024 Lumut mid-air collision in Malaysia kills 10 people while rehearsing for the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
- 2019
The April 2019 Hpakant jade mine collapse in Myanmar kills four miners and two rescuers, with at least 50 others missing and presumed dead.
- 2018
A vehicle-ramming attack kills 11 people and injures 15 in Toronto. A 25-year-old suspect, Alek Minassian, is arrested.
- 2013
At least 111 people are killed and 233 injured as violence breaks out in Hawija, Iraq.
- 2005
The first YouTube video, titled "Me at the zoo", is published by co-founder Jawed Karim.
- 1993
Eritreans vote overwhelmingly for independence from Ethiopia in a United Nations-monitored referendum.
- 1993
Sri Lankan politician Lalith Athulathmudali is assassinated while addressing a gathering, approximately four weeks ahead of the Provincial Council elections for the Western Province.
- 1990
Namibia becomes the 160th member of the United Nations and the 50th member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
- 1985
Coca-Cola changes its formula and releases New Coke. The response is overwhelmingly negative, and the original formula is back on the market in less than three months.
- 1979
SAETA Flight 011 crashes in Pastaza Province, Ecuador, killing all 57 people on board. The wreckage was not discovered until 1984.
- 1979
Blair Peach, a British activist, is fatally injured after being knocked unconscious during an Anti-Nazi League demonstration against a National Front election meeting in Southall, London.
- 1971
Bangladesh Liberation War: The Pakistan Army and Razakars massacre approximately 3,000 Hindu emigrants in the Jathibhanga area of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
All entries for April 23（+28）
- 1968
Vietnam War: Student protesters at Columbia University in New York City take over administration buildings and shut down the university.
- 1967
Soviet space program: Soyuz 1 (Russian: Союз 1, Union 1), a crewed spaceflight carrying cosmonaut Colonel Vladimir Komarov, is launched into orbit.
- 1966
Aeroflot Flight 2723 crashes into the Caspian Sea off the Absheron Peninsula, killing 33 people.
- 1961
During the Algiers putsch by French generals, President Charles de Gaulle announces he has assumed emergency powers, and calls on troops and civilians to support him.
- 1951
Cold War: American journalist William N. Oatis is arrested for espionage by the Communist government of Czechoslovakia.
- 1949
Chinese Civil War: Establishment of the People's Liberation Army Navy.
- 1946
Manuel Roxas is elected the last President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
- 1945
World War II: Adolf Hitler's designated successor, Hermann Göring, sends him a telegram asking permission to take leadership of Nazi Germany. Martin Bormann and Joseph Goebbels advise Göring that the telegram is treasonous.
- 1942
World War II: Baedeker Blitz: German bombers hit Exeter, Bath and York in retaliation for the British raid on Lübeck.
- 1941
World War II: The Greek government and King George II evacuate Athens before the invading Wehrmacht.
- 1940
The Rhythm Club fire at a dance hall in Natchez, Mississippi, kills 198 people.
- 1935
The Polish Constitution of 1935 is adopted.
- 1927
Cardiff City defeat Arsenal in the FA Cup Final, the only time it has been won by a team not based in England.
- 1920
The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) is founded in Ankara. The assembly denounces the government of Sultan Mehmed VI and announces the preparation of a temporary constitution.
- 1919
The Estonian Constituent Assembly is held in Estonia, which marks the birth of the Estonian Parliament, the Riigikogu.
- 1918
World War I: The British Royal Navy makes a raid in an attempt to neutralise the Belgian port of Bruges-Zeebrugge.
- 1909
In Portugal, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes near Lisbon, killing at least 60 people and injuring 75.
- 1891
Chilean Civil War: The ironclad Blanco Encalada is sunk at Caldera Bay by torpedo boats.
- 1879
Fire burns down the second main building and dome of the University of Notre Dame, which prompts the construction of the third, and current, Main Building with its golden dome.
- 1815
The Second Serbian Uprising: A second phase of the national revolution of the Serbs against the Ottoman Empire, erupts shortly after the annexation of the country to the Ottoman Empire.
- 1724
Johann Sebastian Bach leads the first performance of his cantata Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104, illustrating the topic of the Good Shepherd in pastoral music.
- 1661
King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland is crowned in Westminster Abbey.
- 1660
Treaty of Oliva is established between Sweden and Poland.
- 1655
The Siege of Santo Domingo begins during the Anglo-Spanish War, and fails seven days later.
- 1635
The first public school in the United States, the Boston Latin School, is founded.
- 1521
Battle of Villalar: King Charles I of Spain defeats the Comuneros.
- 1516
The Munich Reinheitsgebot (regarding the ingredients of beer) takes effect in all of Bavaria.
- 1500
Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvarez Cabral reaches new coastline (Brazil).
Famous Birthdays on April 23 in History 25
- 2018
Prince Louis of Wales, British royal
- 2000
Chloe Kim, American snowboarder
- 2000
Lee Jeno, South Korean rapper, vocalist and dancer
- 1999
Son Chaeyoung, South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter
- 1999
Laufey, Icelandic singer-songwriter and musician
- 1997
Zach Apple, American swimmer
- 1996
Carolina Alves, Brazilian tennis player
- 1995
Gigi Hadid, American fashion model and television personality
- 1995
Jamie Hayter, English professional wrestler
- 1994
Patrick Olsen, Danish footballer
- 1994
Song Kang, South Korean actor
- 1991
Britt Baker, American professional wrestler
All entries for April 23（+13）
- 1991
Nathan Baker, English footballer
- 1991
Caleb Johnson, American singer-songwriter
- 1991
Kyle Juszczyk, American football player
- 1991
Paul Vaughan, Australian-Italian rugby league player
- 1990
Rui Fonte, Portuguese footballer
- 1990
Dev Patel, English actor
- 1989
Nicole Vaidišová, Czech tennis player
- 1988
Victor Anichebe, Nigerian footballer
- 1988
Sandra Borch, Norwegian politician
- 1988
Alistair Brownlee, English triathlete
- 1988
Patrick Maroon, American ice hockey player
- 1988
Signe Ronka, Canadian figure skater
- 1988
Lenka Wienerová, Slovak tennis player
Notable Deaths on April 23 in History 25
- 2026
Łukasz Litewka, Polish Parliament Member (born 1989)
- 2024
Frank Field, British politician (born 1942)
- 2024
Helen Vendler, American Literary Critic (born 1933)
- 2022
Orrin Hatch, American politician, President pro tempore of the United States Senate (born 1934)
- 2021
Dan Kaminsky, American internet security researcher (born 1979)
- 2019
Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick, American soprano singer and presenter (born 1983)
- 2019
Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (born 1921)
- 2016
Inge King, German-born Australian sculptor (born 1915)
- 2016
Banharn Silpa-archa, Thai politician, Prime Minister from 1995 to 1996 (born 1932)
- 2015
Richard Corliss, American journalist and critic (born 1944)
- 2015
Ray Jackson, Australian activist (born 1941)
- 2015
Pierre Claude Nolin, Canadian lawyer and politician, Speaker of the Canadian Senate (born 1950)
All entries for April 23（+13）
- 2015
Jim Steffen, American football player (born 1936)
- 2015
Francis Tsai, American author and illustrator (born 1967)
- 2014
Benjamín Brea, Spanish-Venezuelan saxophonist, clarinet player, and conductor (born 1946)
- 2014
Michael Glawogger, Austrian director, screenwriter, and cinematographer (born 1959)
- 2014
Jaap Havekotte, Dutch speed skater and producer of ice skates (born 1912)
- 2014
Connie Marrero, Cuban baseball player and coach (born 1911)
- 2014
F. Michael Rogers, American general (born 1921)
- 2014
Mark Shand, English conservationist and author (born 1951)
- 2014
Patric Standford, English composer and educator (born 1939)
- 2013
Bob Brozman, American guitarist (born 1954)
- 2013
Robert W. Edgar, American educator and politician (born 1943)
- 2013
Tony Grealish, English footballer (born 1956)
- 2013
Antonio Maccanico, Italian banker and politician (born 1924)
That is the story of April 23 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on April 23 to relive these world-changing moments — or take a random trip through time and see what happened on another day in history.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on April 23 in history?
The biggest event on April 23 in history is: 2024 — The 2024 Lumut mid-air collision in Malaysia kills 10 people while rehearsing for the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy.. In total, 40 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on April 23?
25 famous people were born on April 23 in history, the best known being 2018 — Prince Louis of Wales, British royal.
Who died on April 23?
25 notable people died on April 23 in history, including 2026 — Łukasz Litewka, Polish Parliament Member (born 1989).
Why should I read about April 23 in history?
Exploring April 23 in history helps you grasp the day's place in history in just a few minutes: events, birthdays and deaths in one read — perfect for students, teachers and curious minds.
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