30 fun facts for April, 23
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
April 23rd is a day full of fascinating events, including the birth and death of William Shakespeare, the celebration of World Book Day, Turkey's National Sovereignty and Children's Day, and notable historic moments like the first video uploaded on YouTube and the establishment of the Eastman Kodak company. This day showcases achievements in science, technology, and human rights, making it a day of truly diverse and remarkable events.
30 Fun facts
- April 23, 1564: It is widely believed that English playwright and poet William Shakespeare was born on this day. Although his exact birthdate is not confirmed, it is traditionally observed on April 23.
- April 23, 1616: William Shakespeare passed away on this day, making his birthdate and death date the same. His work has continued to remain popular throughout the centuries and his influence on literature and theater is immeasurable.
- April 23 is World Book Day, celebrated since 1995 by UNESCO, which aims to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. On this day, many countries hold various events and activities to encourage reading, especially among children.
- April 23 is Turkey's National Sovereignty and Children's Day, founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1920. The day commemorates the establishment of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and is also dedicated to the children of Turkey as they are the future of the nation.
- April 23, 1858: Max Planck, a German theoretical physicist, was born on this day. He is widely regarded as the founder of quantum theory and made significant contributions to understanding the behavior of energy on atomic, and subatomic levels.
- April 23, 1961, Judy Garland performed at Carnegie Hall, where she gave one of the most iconic live concerts in history. The concert album won multiple Grammy Awards and is hailed as "the greatest night in showbiz history."
- April 23, 1985: The Coca-Cola Company introduced "New Coke" in a controversial move to discontinue its original recipe. The public backlash was so severe that the original Coca-Cola recipe was reinstated as "Coca-Cola Classic" within three months.
- April 23, 1902: The first official outdoor game of US baseball took place in Philadelphia when the Phillies and the Boston Braves played at the Philadelphia National League Park.
- April 23, 1968: The United Methodist Church was created on this day, which resulted from the union of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church of the United States.
- April 23, 1996: The "Toxic Substances Control Act" was authorized by the United States Congress, with the goal of regulating and reducing the introduction of harmful chemical substances in the environment.
- April 23, 1990: Namibia, a country in southern Africa, joined the United Nations as its 160th member state on this day.
- April 23, 2005: The first video on YouTube, titled "Me at the zoo," was uploaded by co-founder Jawed Karim. Today, YouTube is the largest video-sharing platform globally, with 2 billion monthly active users.
- April 23, 1661: King Charles II of England was crowned at Westminster Abbey at the age of 30, marking the beginning of the Restoration period. During his reign, art, science, and trade flourished in England.
- April 23, 1967: Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov was killed in a spacecraft accident during the Soyuz 1 mission. He became the first person to die during a space mission, and his death revealed the lack of testing and safety measures in the Soviet space program.
- April 23, 1900: The first United States Post Office was set up in Oklahoma City, following the Oklahoma Land Rush, which attracted thousands of settlers.
- April 23, 1962: The first broadcast of the popular TV game show "Password" aired on CBS. The show's format involved two teams competing to identify secret words based on one-word clues, setting a standard for future word-based game shows.
- April 23, 1827: A young Charles Darwin embarked on a life-changing journey aboard the HMS Beagle. This five-year trip led to his groundbreaking theories on evolution and natural selection.
- April 23, 1998: The James Cameron movie "Titanic" surpassed the $1 billion box office mark, becoming the first film in history to achieve this milestone.
- April 23, 1987: American tennis player Althea Gibson was recognized for her legendary career and inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame. She was the first Black woman to win the Wimbledon singles title.
- April 23, 1956: English radio station, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) broadcasted weather for the first time ever. The first bulletin was presented by George Cowling.
- April 23, 1963: Renowned Russian gymnast Svetlana Boginskaya was born on this day. Known for her exceptional artistry and style, Boginskaya has won five Olympic gold medals over her distinguished career.
- April 23, 1993: The World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses, marking a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ rights and the organization's understanding of mental health.
- April 23, 1974: American actress, model, and singer, Sandra Dee, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring her contributions to the film industry.
- April 23, 1775: Joseph Mallord William Turner, an important and influential English Romantic painter, was born in London. Turner is best known for his expressive landscapes and seascapes, epitomizing the Romantic era's artistic style.
- April 23, 1996: The Supreme Court of Vermont ruled in favor of equal rights for same-sex couples, becoming the first state in the US to provide equal rights for same-sex partners.
- April 23, 1897: Russian pianist and composer Sergei Prokofiev was born, who was a leading figure in 20th-century classical music. His compositions have left a significant impact on the world of music and continue to inspire.
- April 23, 1888: The Eastman Kodak company, a major force in the photography industry, was formed by George Eastman. The company pioneered film technology and accessible photography for the masses.
- April 23, 1987: Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, married Michelle Robinson in Chicago, beginning a partnership that would lead to the White House and inspire millions worldwide.
- April 23, 1939: Ted Williams, a legendary baseball player, hit his first career home run in the major league for the Boston Red Sox. He went on to become one of the greatest hitters in baseball history.
- April 23, 2010: Apple released its groundbreaking iPad, the first of its kind to gain widespread adoption. The iPad revolutionized the world of tablet technology, bridging the gap between smartphones and laptops.