All Events

Historical Events on August 23

  • Goths

    406

    Gothic king Radagaisus is executed after he is defeated by Roman general Stilicho and 12,000 "barbarians" are incorporated into the Roman army or sold as slaves.

  • American Revolutionary War

    1775

    American Revolutionary War: King George III delivers his Proclamation of Rebellion to the Court of St James's stating that the American colonies have proceeded to a state of open and avowed rebellion.

  • North Carolina

    1784

    Western North Carolina (now eastern Tennessee) declares itself an independent state under the name of Franklin; it is not accepted into the United States, and only lasts for four years.

  • Napoleon

    1799

    Napoleon I of France leaves Egypt for France en route to seizing power.

  • Qing dynasty

    1839

    The United Kingdom captures Hong Kong as a base as it prepares for war with Qing China. The ensuing three-year conflict will later be known as the First Opium War.

  • World War I

    1914

    World War I: Battle of Mons: The British Army begins withdrawal.

  • World War II

    1939

    World War II: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign a non-aggression treaty, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. In a secret addition to the pact, the Baltic states, Finland, Romania, and Poland are divided between the two nations.

  • Armenia

    1990

    Armenia declares its independence from the Soviet Union.

  • Muammar Gaddafi

    2011

    Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is overthrown after the National Transitional Council forces take control of Bab al-Azizia compound during the Libyan Civil War.

All Births

Famous Birthdays on August 23

All Deaths

Famous Deaths on August 23

22. August

24. August