May 23 is the 143rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 222 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about May 23rd, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about May 23rd in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- World Turtle Day
- National Lucky Penny Day
Historic Events
2008: 12 South American countries created the Union of South American Nations in 2008.
1992: The Italian mafia murder Giovanni Falcone
Falcone, a judge, was the mafia’s most prominent adversary. After he, together with his wife and three bodyguards, fell victim to a car bomb, Falcone became a folk hero in Italy.
1969: The Who release Tommy
The British rock band’s fourth album is considered the first musical work of the rock opera genre.
1951: Delegates of the Dalai Lama sign the Seventeen Point Agreement
The contract affirmed Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. According to Tibetan officials, the document was signed under duress and is, therefore, invalid.
1949: The Federal Republic of Germany is established
The proclamation of the Grundgesetz, Germany’s current constitution, marked the birth hour of the republic. The foundation of West Germany came four years after the demise of the Nazi regime and the end of World War II.
1844: Siyyid `Alí Muḥammad Shírází founds Bábism
The Báb, as he called himself, created the religion which was a forerunner of the Bahá’í Faith. His teachings were seen as a threat by the Islamic clergy, and his followers were brutally persecuted by the Persian government.
1965: A model at the Gaby Young Agency learning the proper way to get out of a car with her knees together, London, England, 1965

1958: Robert Timm and John Cook refuelled outside Las Vegas while setting the world record for manned flight endurance of 64 days, 22 hours, and 19 minutes in 1958

1953: A tank in the streets of East Germany during the anti-communist revolt. 1953.

1953: A 22-year-old Neil Armstrong on the 23rd May 1953 during his duty in the Korean War.

1945: Nazi Heinrich Himmler committed suicide after being taken into Allied custody in 1945.
1929: A new gold rush is starting in Australia as gold has been found just 3 feet below the surface and claims are now being made all over the area in South West in 1929.
1920: Soviet political leader, Nikolai Bukharin, gives a speech at the funeral of American journalist John Reed, 1920

Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, May 23
1972: Rubens Barrichello, Brazilian race car driver
1954: Marvelous Marvin Hagler, American boxer
1921: Humphrey Lyttelton, English trumpet player, composer
1848: Otto Lilienthal, German pilot, engineer
1707: Carl Linnaeus, Swedish botanist, physician, zoologist
Bray Wyatt was born.
Joan Collins was born.
James Charles was born.
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, May 23
2009: Roh Moo-hyun, South Korean politician, 16th President of South Korea
1995: Harold Wilson, English politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
1937: John D. Rockefeller, American businessman, philanthropist, founded the Standard Oil Company
1906: Henrik Ibsen, Norwegian poet, playwright, director
1868: Kit Carson, American soldier
John D. Rockefeller died.
Bonnie Parker died.
Owen Hart died.