22 fun facts for March, 23
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
March 23 is an eventful day with many notable events, such as the founding of National Puppy Day, the beginning of the Oklahoma land rush, and the first successful spacewalk. From historic advancements in technology, arts, and politics to life-changing moments in world history, this day holds a unique significance.
22 Fun facts
- National Puppy Day (USA) - This day was founded on March 23, 2006, to raise awareness about the importance of adopting and rescuing puppies from shelters. As adorable creatures that bring joy into our lives, puppies deserve their special day!
- In 1743, Handel's oratorio "Messiah" made its London premiere. George Frideric Handel, a famous German-born composer, conducted the masterpiece himself. It has since become one of the most frequently performed choral works in Western music.
- In 1775, the famous "Give me liberty or give me death!" speech was given by Patrick Henry at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia. The speech helped to persuade the Virginia House of Burgesses to pass a resolution delivering the Virginia troops to the Revolutionary War.
- In 1806, American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on their return journey from the Pacific Northwest back to St. Louis, Missouri, marking the end of their historic expedition to explore the American West.
- In 1857, the first commercial passenger elevator was installed at the E.V. Haughwout Building in New York City by the Otis Elevator Company. It could transport people at a speedy (for its time) 40 feet per minute and resulted in the development of modern skyscrapers.
- In 1889, American President Benjamin Harrison opened the Oklahoma land rush. This event allowed settlers to claim 2 million acres of uninhabited land, leading to the creation of Oklahoma City, which grew rapidly after the land rush.
- In 1903, the Wright Brothers obtained an airplane patent. This marked a significant milestone in the development of flight, as they are often credited as the inventors of the first successful airplane. Their invention went on to transform the world and the way we travel.
- In 1912, the Dixie Cup was invented by American inventor Hugh Moore. This disposable paper cup was designed as an alternative to communal cups or glasses and contributed to the rise of sanitary practices in the early 20th century.
- In 1933, the first official NFL game took place. The game occurred between the Portsmouth Spartans (now Detroit Lions) and Chicago Bears. The Bears emerged victorious with a score of 9-7, marking the beginning of professional football.
- In 1956, Pakistan became the world's first Islamic republic. On this day, Pakistan's constitution was adopted, establishing the country as a separate Muslim state and renaming it the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
- In 1956, the Belgian-born martial artist and actor Jean-Claude Van Damme was born. He went on to become an international star, known for his roles in action films such as Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and Timecop.
- In 1965, America's first spacewalk took place when astronaut Ed White stepped out of the Gemini 4 spacecraft. This achievement demonstrated the viability of human activity in space, paving the way for future space missions like Apollo 11.
- On this day in 1978, the first UNIFIL troops (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) were deployed in southern Lebanon. This peacekeeping force was established to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli troops, restore peace, and help the Lebanese government regain authority in the region.
- In 1983, Dr. Barney Clark, the first artificial heart recipient, passed away 112 days after his surgery. Though this was an unfortunate ending, it marked a milestone in the development of artificial organs and life-saving medical technology.
- In 1989, the first free elections in the Soviet Union took place. Organized under Mikhail Gorbachev's policy of glasnost or openness, these elections represented a crucial turning point in Russian history and the ultimate demise of the Soviet Union.
- On this day in 1994, the sitcom "Friends" was first pitched to NBC. The show went on to resonate with millions of viewers worldwide, becoming one of the most successful television sitcoms in history.
- In 1998, the movie "Titanic" became the highest grossing film in history. Directed by James Cameron and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film swept the box-office and awards season, acquiring numerous accolades, including 11 Oscars.
- In 2001, Russia's space station Mir was decommissioned. After 15 years of orbiting Earth, Mir was deliberately brought down into the Pacific Ocean, ending its role as the world's longest inhabited space station.
- In 2007, Iran released 15 British sailors and marines who had been detained since March 23 due to a territorial dispute. Their release helped ease tensions between the two countries and was a significant diplomatic achievement.
- In 2014, the World Health Organization reported its first-ever case of the deadly Ebola virus in Guinea. The outbreak would go on to become the largest and deadliest in history, killing thousands of people and affecting numerous countries worldwide.
- In 2016, Argentina celebrated the National Day of Memory for Truth and Justice. This day commemorates the victims of the 1976-83 military dictatorship and acknowledges the importance of truth and justice for the healing of the nation.
- In 2020, India observed a 14-hour "Janata Curfew" due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions stayed in voluntary isolation to slow the spread of the virus, marking a turning point in the global response to the pandemic.