On this day in history
January 23
American
1897Zona Heaster is found dead in Greenbrier County, West Virginia; her mother's claim that Zona's ghost named the…
Zona Heaster is found dead in Greenbrier County, West Virginia; her mother's claim that Zona's ghost named the killer helps convict her husband. Sources differ on whether the body was found January 22 or 23.
Source: Wikipedia
1849Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, graduating from Gen…
Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, graduating from Geneva Medical College in New York.
Source: Wikipedia
1870The Marias Massacre takes place in Montana Territory, where U.S. Army troops kill about 200 Piegan Blackfeet, …
The Marias Massacre takes place in Montana Territory, where U.S. Army troops kill about 200 Piegan Blackfeet, most of them women and children.
Source: HaveFunWithHistory
1960The bathyscaphe Trieste reaches the bottom of the Challenger Deep, the deepest known point of the ocean, carry…
The bathyscaphe Trieste reaches the bottom of the Challenger Deep, the deepest known point of the ocean, carrying Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh.
Source: Wikipedia
1968North Korea seizes the USS Pueblo in international waters, capturing the spy ship and holding its 83 crew memb…
North Korea seizes the USS Pueblo in international waters, capturing the spy ship and holding its 83 crew members for 11 months.
Source: Wikipedia
1957The Frisbee is introduced as a commercial product by the Wham O company, based on pie tins tossed by Yale stud…
The Frisbee is introduced as a commercial product by the Wham O company, based on pie tins tossed by Yale students.
Source: Smithsonian
1964The 24th Amendment is ratified, prohibiting poll taxes in federal elections.
The 24th Amendment is ratified, prohibiting poll taxes in federal elections.
Source: Editorialge
World
1556The Shaanxi earthquake strikes China, the deadliest earthquake in recorded history, killing an estimated 830,0…
The Shaanxi earthquake strikes China, the deadliest earthquake in recorded history, killing an estimated 830,000 people.
Source: Wikipedia
971Song dynasty crossbowmen defeat the Southern Han's war elephant corps at Shao, forcing the Southern Han to sub…
Song dynasty crossbowmen defeat the Southern Han's war elephant corps at Shao, forcing the Southern Han to submit; China's first regular war elephant corps.
Source: On This Day
1368The Ming Dynasty is founded in China when Zhu Yuanzhang proclaims himself the Hongwu Emperor, ending Mongol Yu…
The Ming Dynasty is founded in China when Zhu Yuanzhang proclaims himself the Hongwu Emperor, ending Mongol Yuan rule.
Source: New World Encyclopedia
2020Wuhan, China, is placed under lockdown as authorities try to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, the fi…
Wuhan, China, is placed under lockdown as authorities try to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, the first citywide lockdown of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Source: Editorialge
1571The Royal Exchange opens in London, England's first commercial center, founded by the merchant Thomas Gresham.
The Royal Exchange opens in London, England's first commercial center, founded by the merchant Thomas Gresham.
Source: On-This-Day.com
1793The Second Partition of Poland is carried out by Russia and Prussia, further carving up the Polish Lithuanian …
The Second Partition of Poland is carried out by Russia and Prussia, further carving up the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Source: HaveFunWithHistory
1950The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, declares Jerusalem the capital of Israel.
The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, declares Jerusalem the capital of Israel.
Source: DonPorque
1978Sweden becomes the first country to ban aerosol sprays over damage to the ozone layer.
Sweden becomes the first country to ban aerosol sprays over damage to the ozone layer.
Source: On This Day