✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 296th day of the year

October 23

A look at October 23 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including "Weird Al" Yankovic and Pelé, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♏ZodiacScorpio ◈BirthstoneOpal ❀Birth flowerMarigold
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2001

    Apple Inc.

    Apple Computer releases the iPod.

    American multinational technology company
  2. 1998

    Israel

    Israel and the Palestinian Authority sign the Wye River Memorandum.

    Country in West Asia
  3. 1965

    Vietnam War

    Vietnam War: The 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in conjunction with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, launches an operation seeking to destroy Communist forces during the siege of Plei Me.

    1955–1975 war in Southeast
  4. 1958

    Belgium

    Belgian artist Peyo's comic characters, the Smurfs, make their debut in Spirou magazine.

    Country in Northwestern Europe
  5. 1956

    Hungarian Revolution of 1956

    Secret police shoot several anti-communist protesters, igniting the Hungarian Revolution.

    Citizen rebellion in Hungary
  6. 1942

    World War II

    World War II: Allied forces commence the Second Battle of El Alamein, which proves to be the key turning point in the North African campaign.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  7. 1940

    Adolf Hitler

    Adolf Hitler and Francisco Franco meet at Hendaye to discuss the possibility of Spain entering the Second World War.

    Dictator of Germany from
  8. 1906

    Alberto Santos-Dumont

    Alberto Santos-Dumont flies an airplane in the first heavier-than-air flight in Europe.

    Brazilian aviation pioneer (1873–1932)
  9. 1850

    National Women's Rights Convention

    The first National Women's Rights Convention begins in Worcester, Massachusetts.

    Annual conference of political
  10. 1157

    Battle of Grathe Heath

    The Battle of Grathe Heath ends the Danish Civil War.

    1157 final battle of
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Famous birthday twins

Born on October 23

"Weird Al" Yankovic

b. 1959

American comedy musician, writer, and actor

Pelé

b. 1940

Brazilian footballer and actor

Vasily Belov

b. 1932

Russian novelist, poet and playwright

Juan Luna

b. 1857

Filipino painter and sculptor

Masiela Lusha

b. 1985

Albanian-American actress, poet, and humanitarian

Álvaro Morata

b. 1992

Spanish footballer

Randy Pausch

b. 1960

American author and academic

Ludwig Leichhardt

b. 1813

German-Australian explorer

Deaths

  • 2017Walter Lassally, German cinematographer
  • 2014Alvin Stardust, English singer and actor
  • 2003Soong Mei-ling, Chinese wife of Chiang Kai-shek, 2nd First Lady of the Republic of China
  • 1867Franz Bopp, German linguist and academic
  • 1616Leonhard Hutter, German theologian and academic
  • 1550Tiedemann Giese, Polish bishop

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer
  • —Christian feast day: James the Just (i.e. James, brother of Jesus) (Lutheran, Episcopal Church (USA), Eastern Orthodox)
  • —Christian feast day: Allucio of Campugliano
  • —Christian feast day: Amon of Toul (Diocese of Toul)
  • —Christian feast day: Boethius
  • —Christian feast day: Ignatios of Constantinople
  • —Christian feast day: John of Capistrano
  • —Christian feast day: Joséphine Leroux

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