✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 235th day of the year

August 23

A look at August 23 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Louis XVI and Michel Rocard, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2006

    Natascha Kampusch

    Natascha Kampusch, who had been abducted at the age of ten, escapes from her captor Wolfgang Přiklopil, after eight years of captivity.

    Austrian kidnapping survivor (born
  2. 1991

    World Wide Web

    The World Wide Web is opened to the public.

    Linked hypertext system on
  3. 1990

    Armenia

    Armenia declares its independence from the Soviet Union.

    Country in West Asia
  4. 1989

    Singing Revolution

    Singing Revolution: Two million people from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania stand on the Vilnius–Tallinn road, holding hands.

    Baltic independence movements (1987–1991)
  5. 1954

    Cruise of the Kings

    The Cruise of the Kings, a royal cruise organised by the Queen Consort of Greece, Frederica of Hanover, departs from Marseille, France.

    1954 royal cruise
  6. 1939

    World War II

    World War II: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. In a secret protocol to the pact, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania are divided into German and Soviet "spheres of influence".

    1939–1945 global conflict
  7. 1914

    World War I

    World War I: The British Expeditionary Force and the French Fifth Army begin their Great Retreat before the German Army.

    1914–1918 global conflict
  8. 1898

    Southern Cross Expedition

    The Southern Cross Expedition, the first British venture of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, departs from London.

    1898–1900 research expedition to
  9. 1873

    Albert Bridge, London

    The Albert Bridge in Chelsea, London opens.

    Bridge over the River
  10. 1799

    Napoleon

    Napoleon Bonaparte leaves Egypt for France en route to seizing power.

    French general and emperor
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Famous birthday twins

Born on August 23

Louis XVI

b. 1754

of France

Michel Rocard

b. 1930

French civil servant and politician, 160th Prime Minister of France

Peter Lilley

b. 1943

English politician, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

Kobe Bryant

b. 1978

American basketball player and businessman

Santillana (footballer)

b. 1952

Spanish footballer

Henry Lee Lucas

b. 1936

American murderer

Nancy Richey

b. 1942

American tennis player

Moritz Cantor

b. 1829

German mathematician and historian

Deaths

  • 1995Alfred Eisenstaedt, German-American photographer and journalist
  • 1962Walter Anderson (folklorist), Russian-German ethnologist and academic
  • 1933Adolf Loos, Austrian architect and theoretician, designed Villa Müller
  • 1305William Wallace, Scottish knight and rebel leader (born c.1270)
  • 93AD 93, Roman general and politician (born AD 40)
  • -30Caesarion, Egyptian king (born 47 BC)

Holidays & observances

  • —Battle of Kursk Day (Russia)
  • —Christian feast day: Ascelina
  • —Christian feast day: Asterius, Claudius, and Neon
  • —Christian feast day: Éogan of Ardstraw
  • —Christian feast day: Lupus (Luppus) of Novae
  • —Christian feast day: Philip Benitius
  • —Christian feast day: Quiriacus and companions, of Ostia
  • —Christian feast day: Rose of Lima

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