All Events

Historical Events on August 23

  • Napoleon

    1799

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

  • First Opium War

    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.

  • Battle of Mons

    1914

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

  • Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

    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.

  • Battle of Kursk

    1943

    World War II: Kharkiv is liberated after the Battle of Kursk.

  • Salad Bowl strike

    1970

    Organized by Mexican American labor union leader César Chávez, the Salad Bowl strike, the largest farm worker strike in U.S. history, begins.

  • Gulf War

    1990

    Saddam Hussein appears on Iraqi state television with a number of Western "guests" (actually hostages) to try to prevent the Gulf War.

  • Armenia

    1990

    Armenia declares its independence from the Soviet Union.

  • Libyan Civil War (2011)

    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