What Happened on May 23

Battle of Dandanaqan

The Battle of Dandanaqan was fought between the army of the Seljuqs and the Ghaznavid Empire. The battle ended with a Seljuq victory and brought... Read more

Giovanni Carafa (Paul IV) elected Pope

Pope Paul IV (28 June 1476 – 18 August 1559), né Giovanni Pietro Carafa, was Pope from 23 May 1555 until his death. Giovanni Pietro Carafa was... Read more

Second Defenstration of Prague

The Second Defenestration of Prague was central to the start of the Thirty Years' War in 1618. Some members of the Bohemian aristocracy rebelled... Read more

Meigs Raid

Meigs Raid (also known as the Battle of Sag Harbor) was a guerrilla raid by American forces on the British at Sag Harbor, New York on May 23, 1777... Read more

Battle of Front Royal

Description of the Battle Prelude: On 21 May 1862, the US army under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, numbering about 9,000 men, was concentrated... Read more

Belle Boyd Braves Enemy Fire while Spying for Confederacy

Isabella Marie Boyd (May 9, 1844[2] – June 11, 1900), best known as Belle Boyd considering her middle name; or Cleopatra of the Secession, was a... Read more

Battle of North Anna - Lee Outmaneuvers Grant

Description: After the fighting at Spotsylvania Court House, Grant continued his Overland Offensive against Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. He was... Read more

Army of The Potomac Paraded Down Pennsylvania Avenue

On May 23, 1865, the Army of the Potomac celebrated the end of the Civil War by parading down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Only weeks... Read more

Jesse James And His Gang Rob A Bank

The survivors of Clement's gang continued to conduct bank robberies over the next two years, though their numbers dwindled through arrests,... Read more

Dedication of New York Public Library

President William Howard Taft presided over the dedication of the New York Public Library on May 23, 1911. Built on the site of the Croton... Read more

Italy Declares War on Austria-Hungary

Italian Army, 700,000 Gen. Luigi Cadorna, Commander Gen. Brusati Gen. Pecori-Giraldi Duke of Aosta King Victor Emmanuel Admiral Patris... Read more

Costa Rica declares War on Germany

Of course, these levels of 'involvement' differed hugely. Some countries mobilized millions of troops and fought hard for over four years, some... Read more

Bonnie and Clyde Shot and Killed

Before dawn on May 23, 1934, a posse composed of police officers from Louisiana and Texas, including Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, concealed themselves... Read more

U.S.S. Sailfish Sinks

On 12 May, following a yard overhaul, Squalus began a series of test dives off Portsmouth, New Hampshire. After successfully completing 18 dives,... Read more

Allies Begin Retreat Southward Across Crete

Fighting against a constant supply of fresh enemy troops, the Allies began a series of retreats working southward across Crete. The 5th... Read more

"The Asphalt Jungle" Is Released

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) is an Academy Award nominated film noir directed by John Huston. The caper film is based on the novel of the same name by... Read more

"The Miracle Worker" Is Released

The Miracle Worker is a 1962 American biographical film directed by Arthur Penn. The screenplay by William Gibson is based on his 1959 play of the... Read more

Kiss releases Dynasty

Dynasty is a studio album by the American hard rock band Kiss. The album, and its subsequent tour, were billed as the "Return of Kiss." The band as... Read more

"The Shining" Is Released

The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. Though it had mixed... Read more

U2 releases "11 O'Clock Tick Tock" single

"11 O'Clock Tick Tock" was U2's third single, released May 23, 1980 (1980-05-23). It followed debut EP/single "Out of Control" and "Another Day,"... Read more

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (film) released

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a 1984 adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is the second film in the Indiana Jones franchise,... Read more

"The Chinese Restaurant" - Season 2 Episode 11 of Seinfeld First Airs

"The Chinese Restaurant" was the 17th episode of Seinfeld. The episode was the 11th episode for the show's second season. It aired on May 23, 1991.... Read more

Bad Brains release God of Love

God of Love is the sixth full-length studio album by hardcore punk pioneers Bad Brains. It is the first Bad Brains album since 1989 to feature the... Read more

Primus releases Tales from the Punchbowl

Tales from the Punchbowl is the fourth studio album by Primus, released on May 23, 1995. It is the band's last album with Tim Alexander before he... Read more

The Lost World: Jurassic Park released

The Lost World: Jurassic Park is a 1997 science fiction thriller film, directed by Steven Spielberg. The film was produced by Bonnie Curtis,... Read more