All Events

Historical Events on April 23

  • University of Notre Dame

    1879

    Fire burns down the second main building and dome of the University of Notre Dame, which prompts the construction of the third, and current, Main Building with its golden dome.

  • Royal Navy

    1918

    World War I: The British Royal Navy makes a raid in an attempt to neutralise the Belgian port of Bruges-Zeebrugge.

  • World War II

    1941

    World War II: The Greek government and King George II evacuate Athens before the invading Wehrmacht.

  • Adolf Hitler

    1945

    World War II: Adolf Hitler's designated successor Hermann Göring sends him a telegram asking permission to take leadership of the Third Reich, which causes Hitler to replace him with Joseph Goebbels and Karl Dönitz.

  • Vietnam War

    1968

    Vietnam War: Student protesters at Columbia University in New York City take over administration buildings and shut down the university.

  • Coca-Cola

    1985

    Coca-Cola changes its formula and releases New Coke. The response is overwhelmingly negative, and the original formula is back on the market in less than three months.

  • Namibia

    1990

    Namibia becomes the 160th member of the United Nations and the 50th member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

  • Eritrea

    1993

    Eritreans vote overwhelmingly for independence from Ethiopia in a United Nations-monitored referendum.

  • Sri Lanka

    1993

    Sri Lankan politician Lalith Athulathmudali is assassinated while addressing a gathering, approximately four weeks ahead of the Provincial Council elections for the Western Province.

All Births

Famous Birthdays on April 23

All Deaths

Famous Deaths on April 23

22. April

24. April