30 fun facts for October, 23
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
October 23 is a day with many interesting and fun facts, such as the birth of poet Robert Bridges, the first meeting of the League of Nations, and the world's longest non-stop commercial flight. The day also marks various worldwide observances, like World Snow Leopard Day, International Day of the Nacho, and Pharmacy Technician Day.
30 Fun facts
- On October 23, 1844, Robert Bridges was born. He was a famous English poet and eventually became the British Poet Laureate from 1913 to 1930.
- On this day in 1869, British sculptor Thomas Woolner completed his golden-age masterpiece, "Innocent Eye Test." The bronze sculpture features a girl holding a dead bird and it is considered one of the best allegories of innocence.
- October 23, 1906, marked the first official flight of the airship "Aero Club of America." It was a significant step in the development of air travel, as this was one of the first airships designed to carry passengers.
- On October 23, 1915, more than 25,000 women marched on Fifth Avenue in New York City for the right to vote. This event showcased the power and determination of the suffrage movement in the United States.
- The first meeting of the League of Nations took place on October 23, 1920. This international organization was formed with the intent of preventing wars and promoting cooperation between nations.
- October 23 is the National Mole Day in the United States. This day commemorates Avogadro's Number (6.02 x 10^23), which is a basic measurement unit in chemistry.
- On this day in 1940, actor and martial artist Pele was born. Widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Pele won three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, and 1970) with the Brazilian national team.
- On October 23, 1942, songwriter and composer Michael Cretu was born. He is best known for creating the electronica music project, Enigma, which gained worldwide fame in the 1990s.
- October 23, 1956, marked the first day of the Hungarian Revolution. This anti-Soviet uprising ultimately led to Hungary's brief period of independence and inspired other anti-communist movements in Eastern Europe.
- The Smurfs, a popular Belgian comic strip created by Peyo, was first published on October 23, 1958. The Smurfs later spawned television series, movies, and a variety of merchandise.
- The first planetary flyby occurred on October 23, 1966, when a spacecraft (Mariner 5) flew by Venus. This mission enabled the scientific community to study the atmosphere and surface of Venus.
- On October 23, 1977, English singer-songwriter Weird Al Yankovic made his professional debut when he started recording parodies of popular songs. His career has since spanned over four decades.
- On October 23, 1983, TV host and comedian Al Yankovic released "Eat It," his parody of Michael Jackson's "Beat It." The song was an instant hit and cemented Weird Al's reputation as a parody artist.
- Beirut barracks bombings: On October 23, 1983, two truck bombs struck buildings in Beirut, Lebanon, housing American and French peacekeeping forces, resulting in the death of 241 U.S. and 58 French servicemen.
- On this day in 1987, the first National Coming Out Day was celebrated in the United States. The day is observed annually to promote awareness and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
- October 23, 1991, marked the premiere of the Nickelodeon animated series Doug. The show followed the life of Doug Funnie, a young boy dealing with the challenges of school and friendships.
- On October 23, 2001, Apple Inc. introduced the first iPod, revolutionizing the way people listen to music. The device became iconic, with millions of units sold worldwide.
- On October 23, 2004, Ashlee Simpson appeared on Saturday Night Live and experienced a notorious lip-syncing snafu. Her performance sparked a significant backlash and brought attention to the practice of lip-syncing in live performances.
- In 2008, on October 23, "Bloody Friday" was experienced in worldwide stock markets, fueled by fears of a global financial crisis.
- On October 23, 2010, actress Katy Perry married comedian Russell Brand in a traditional Hindu ceremony in Rajasthan, India. The couple announced they were getting divorced slightly over a year later.
- October 23, 2013, marked the release of the iPad Air, Apple's fifth-generation tablet device.
- On October 23, 2015, Adele released her single "Hello," the lead track from her album "25." The song achieved widespread success and became one of the best-selling digital singles of all time.
- World Snow Leopard Day is celebrated every year on October 23. The day aims to raise awareness about the endangered snow leopard species and its fragile natural habitat.
- October 23 is observed as the International Day of the Nacho. This celebrates the popular Mexican dish consisting of tortilla chips, cheese, and various toppings.
- On October 23, 2016, the longest non-stop commercial flight took place, as a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Auckland spanned 9,031 miles and took 16 hours and 23 minutes.
- International Gin and Tonic Day is celebrated annually on October 23. This event invites enthusiasts to indulge in their favorite gin-based cocktail to honor the experience of the classic combination.
- In 2019, on October 23, Emperor Naruhito of Japan officially ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne, marking the beginning of the Reiwa Era.
- On October 23, 2020, Netflix released the first season of the hit TV series, The Queen's Gambit. The show, starring Anya Taylor-Joy as chess prodigy Beth Harmon, quickly became a global phenomenon.
- October 23 is Pharmacy Technician Day, a day to honor and recognize the essential role played by pharmacy technicians in supporting pharmacists and providing essential health services.
- Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day is celebrated on October 23. This event marks the departure of thousands of swallows, who migrate from the Mission San Juan Capistrano to Argentina.