✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 204th day of the year

July 23

A look at July 23 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Gustav Heinemann and Jarkko Nieminen, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2010

    One Direction

    The English-Irish boy band One Direction were formed while auditioning for the 2010 series of the British singing competition The X Factor.

    English-Irish boy band (2010–2016)
  2. 2001

    Megawati Sukarnoputri

    Megawati Sukarnoputri was sworn in as the first female president of Indonesia following her predecessor's impeachment.

    President of Indonesia from
  3. 1995

    Comet Hale–Bopp

    Comet Hale–Bopp is discovered; it becomes visible to the naked eye on Earth nearly a year later.

    Great Comet of 1997
  4. 1968

    Glenville shootout

    Glenville shootout: In Cleveland, Ohio, a violent shootout between a Black Militant organization and the Cleveland Police Department occurs. During the shootout, a riot begins and lasts for five days.

    1968 gun battle in
  5. 1945

    Philippe Pétain

    The post-war legal processes against Philippe Pétain begin.

    French general (1856–1951)
  6. 1942

    Bulgaria

    Bulgarian poet and Communist leader Nikola Vaptsarov is executed by firing squad.

    Country in Southeast Europe
  7. 1942

    World War II

    World War II: The German offensives Operation Edelweiss and Operation Braunschweig begin on the Eastern Front.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  8. 1936

    Catalonia

    In Catalonia, Spain, the Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia is founded through the merger of Socialist and Communist parties.

    Nationality and autonomous community
  9. 1900

    Canada

    Pressed by expanding immigration, Canada closes its doors to paupers and criminals.

    Country in North America
  10. 1319

    Knights Hospitaller

    A Knights Hospitaller fleet scores a crushing victory over an Aydinid fleet off Chios.

    Catholic military order
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Famous birthday twins

Born on July 23

Gustav Heinemann

b. 1899

German lawyer and politician, 3rd President of West Germany

Jarkko Nieminen

b. 1981

Finnish tennis player

Anthony Kennedy

b. 1936

American lawyer and jurist

Slash (musician)

b. 1965

English-American guitarist, songwriter, and producer

Daniel Radcliffe

b. 1989

English actor

Ronny Cox

b. 1938

American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor

Haile Selassie

b. 1892

Ethiopian emperor

Stefanie Sun

b. 1978

Singaporean singer-songwriter and pianist

Deaths

  • 2013Emile Griffith, American boxer and trainer
  • 2012Sally Ride, American physicist and astronaut
  • 2011Amy Winehouse, English singer-songwriter
  • 1951Philippe Pétain, French general and politician, 119th Prime Minister of France
  • 1948D. W. Griffith, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
  • 1885Ulysses S. Grant, American general and politician, 18th President of the United States

Holidays & observances

  • —Birthday of Haile Selassie (Rastafari)
  • —Children's Day (Indonesia)
  • —Christian feast day: Bridget of Sweden
  • —Christian feast day: Heiromartyr Phocas (Eastern Orthodox)
  • —Christian feast day: John Cassian (Western Christianity)
  • —Christian feast day: Liborius of Le Mans
  • —Christian feast day: Margarita María
  • —Christian feast day: Mercè Prat i Prat

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