May 23 has witnessed a myriad of pivotal events that have shaped world history.
From the dramatic capture of Joan of Arc in 1430 to the revolutionary proclamation of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, this date stands as a testament to significant moments across centuries.
Whether it’s the execution of notorious pirates and reformers, the foundation of influential institutions, or key political and military developments, the stories of May 23 offer a fascinating glimpse into the past.
This article delves into twenty such events, exploring their historical context and lasting impact on the world.
May 23rd – On this Day in History
1430 – Joan of Arc is captured at the Siege of Compiègne
Joan of Arc, the French heroine and military leader, was captured by the Burgundians during the Siege of Compiègne. She was leading a small force to lift the siege when she was surrounded and pulled off her horse.
The Burgundians, who were allied with the English during the Hundred Years’ War, handed her over to the English. She was later tried for heresy and witchcraft and burned at the stake in 1431. Her capture marked a significant moment in the war, as she had inspired French victories and boosted morale.
1498 – Girolamo Savonarola is executed in Florence, Italy
Girolamo Savonarola, an Italian Dominican friar, preacher, and reformer, was executed in Florence. Known for his vehement sermons against the moral corruption of the clergy and the laity, he gained a significant following and temporarily transformed Florence into a theocratic republic.
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However, his strict puritanical rule and opposition to the Pope led to his downfall. On May 23, 1498, after being convicted of heresy, he was hanged and his body was burned in the Piazza della Signoria.
1533 – The marriage of King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon is declared null and void
On this day, Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer declared the marriage of King Henry VIII of England to Catherine of Aragon null and void. This act was a pivotal moment in the English Reformation, leading to the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England.
Henry VIII sought the annulment because Catherine had not produced a male heir, and he wished to marry Anne Boleyn. The Pope’s refusal to annul the marriage led Henry to reject papal authority and assume control of religious matters in England.
1568 – The Netherlands declare their independence from Spain
The conflict between the Protestant provinces of the Low Countries and their Catholic Spanish rulers culminated in the Dutch Revolt. On May 23, 1568, the rebellious provinces declared their independence from Spanish rule, marking the beginning of the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648).
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This declaration was part of a broader struggle for religious freedom and political autonomy. The war eventually led to the recognition of the independence of the Dutch Republic in 1648 with the Treaty of Westphalia.
1618 – The Second Defenestration of Prague precipitates the Thirty Years’ War
The Second Defenestration of Prague occurred on May 23, 1618, when Protestant nobles threw two Catholic officials and their secretary out of a window of Prague Castle.
This event marked the beginning of the Bohemian Revolt against the Habsburg emperor, Ferdinand II, and ignited the Thirty Years’ War, a devastating conflict that engulfed much of Europe.
The defenestration was a response to the perceived violations of religious freedoms guaranteed by the Letter of Majesty, and it symbolized the deep religious and political tensions within the Holy Roman Empire.
1701 – Captain William Kidd is executed for piracy and murder in London
William Kidd, often referred to as Captain Kidd, was a Scottish sailor who was tried and executed for piracy after returning from a voyage to the Indian Ocean.
Initially commissioned as a privateer to hunt pirates and protect English interests, Kidd’s mission became controversial due to his attacks on ships considered friendly by the English government.
He was arrested, tried, and found guilty of piracy and the murder of a crew member. On May 23, 1701, he was hanged at Execution Dock in London, and his body was later displayed in a gibbet over the River Thames as a warning to other would-be pirates.
1788 – South Carolina ratifies the United States Constitution
South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the United States Constitution on May 23, 1788. This ratification was a significant step towards the establishment of the United States as a unified nation under a single federal government.
South Carolina’s decision helped pave the way for the Constitution to come into effect, which required the approval of nine states. The new Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, addressing various weaknesses and creating a stronger federal structure.
1813 – South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the invasion of Venezuela
Simón Bolívar, known as “El Libertador,” played a crucial role in the struggle for independence in South America. On May 23, 1813, Bolívar entered the city of Mérida during his campaign to liberate Venezuela from Spanish rule.
This event marked the beginning of the Admirable Campaign, which successfully liberated large parts of Venezuela from Spanish control. Bolívar’s leadership and military prowess were instrumental in the eventual independence of several South American countries.
1846 – Mexican-American War: President Mariano Paredes of Mexico unofficially declares war on the United States
Tensions between the United States and Mexico escalated over territorial disputes, particularly regarding Texas, which had been annexed by the U.S. in 1845. On May 23, 1846, Mexican President Mariano Paredes unofficially declared war on the United States following a series of skirmishes along the Rio Grande.
This conflict, known as the Mexican-American War, lasted until 1848 and resulted in significant territorial gains for the United States, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
1873 – The Canadian Parliament establishes the North-West Mounted Police, the forerunner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
On May 23, 1873, the Canadian Parliament passed legislation to create the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP). The NWMP was established to maintain law and order in the vast and often lawless North-West Territories, particularly in response to concerns about American whiskey traders and potential conflicts with Indigenous peoples.
The NWMP played a key role in establishing Canadian sovereignty in the west and in facilitating peaceful settlement and development. In 1920, the NWMP was renamed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which continues to serve as Canada’s federal and national law enforcement agency.
1900 – The Associated Press is formed in New York City
The Associated Press (AP), a cooperative news agency, was formally established on May 23, 1900, in New York City. It was founded by a group of New York newspaper publishers seeking to share the cost of transmitting news via the telegraph.
The AP quickly grew to become one of the largest and most trusted news organizations in the world, known for its comprehensive coverage of news events and its commitment to journalistic integrity.
Today, the AP continues to provide news to media outlets globally, operating as a not-for-profit cooperative owned by its member newspapers and broadcasters.
1911 – The New York Public Library is dedicated
The New York Public Library (NYPL) was dedicated on May 23, 1911, with a grand ceremony attended by dignitaries including President William Howard Taft. Located at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, the library’s main branch, known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, is an iconic Beaux-Arts structure.
The dedication marked the opening of one of the largest public libraries in the world, offering extensive collections and resources to the public. The NYPL became an important cultural and educational institution, providing free access to books, research materials, and community programs.
1934 – American bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde are ambushed and killed by police in Bienville Parish, Louisiana
Infamous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, known for their string of bank robberies and violent crimes during the Great Depression, were ambushed and killed by law enforcement officers on May 23, 1934.
The ambush took place on a rural road in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, after a coordinated effort by Texas and Louisiana law enforcement officials, led by former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer.
Bonnie and Clyde were shot multiple times, bringing an end to their notorious crime spree. Their deaths were highly publicized and have since become legendary, depicted in numerous books, films, and songs.
1945 – World War II: Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS, commits suicide while in Allied custody
Heinrich Himmler, one of the most powerful leaders of Nazi Germany and the head of the SS (Schutzstaffel), committed suicide on May 23, 1945. After the collapse of the Nazi regime, Himmler attempted to go into hiding but was captured by British forces.
While in custody, Himmler bit into a cyanide capsule hidden in his mouth, killing himself before he could be brought to trial for his war crimes. Himmler was a central figure in the Holocaust, overseeing the genocide of six million Jews and millions of others deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime.
1949 – The Federal Republic of Germany is established and the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany is proclaimed
On May 23, 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), commonly known as West Germany, was officially established with the proclamation of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) in Bonn.
This event marked the creation of a new democratic government in the western zones of Germany, which were occupied by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France after World War II.
The Basic Law served as the constitution for West Germany and laid the foundation for a federal parliamentary democracy. The establishment of the FRG was a significant step in the post-war reconstruction of Germany and the broader effort to create a stable and democratic Europe.
1960 – Israel announces the capture of Nazi Adolf Eichmann in Argentina
On May 23, 1960, Israel announced that Adolf Eichmann, a high-ranking Nazi official and one of the main architects of the Holocaust, had been captured by Mossad agents in Argentina. Eichmann had been living under a false identity since fleeing Europe after World War II.
He was responsible for organizing the logistics of the mass deportation of Jews to concentration and extermination camps. His capture was a significant event in the pursuit of justice for Holocaust victims. Eichmann was brought to Israel, where he was tried, found guilty of crimes against humanity, and executed in 1962.
1971 – Efraim Katzir is elected the fourth President of Israel
On May 23, 1971, Efraim Katzir was elected as the fourth President of Israel by the Knesset. A biophysicist by profession, Katzir was known for his contributions to the scientific community before entering politics.
His presidency, which lasted from 1973 to 1978, was marked by significant events, including the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Katzir’s background in science and education brought a unique perspective to the presidency, emphasizing the importance of scientific advancement and education in the development of Israel.
1992 – Italy’s most prominent anti-mafia judge Giovanni Falcone is killed by a Mafia car bomb on the motorway near Capaci
On May 23, 1992, Giovanni Falcone, a leading Italian anti-mafia judge, was assassinated by the Sicilian Mafia in a bomb attack on the motorway near Capaci, Sicily. Falcone, along with his wife and three bodyguards, was killed when a massive explosive device detonated under their convoy.
His death shocked Italy and the world, highlighting the Mafia’s violent resistance to legal and judicial efforts to combat organized crime.
Falcone had been instrumental in securing convictions against numerous Mafia members during the Maxi Trial in the 1980s. His murder galvanized further efforts to dismantle the Mafia and strengthen Italy’s legal system.
1995 – The first version of the Java programming language is released
On May 23, 1995, Sun Microsystems released the first version of the Java programming language. Developed by James Gosling and his team, Java was designed to be a platform-independent, object-oriented programming language that could run on any device with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
Java quickly became popular for its portability, security features, and robustness, making it a preferred language for web development, enterprise applications, and Android mobile app development. The release of Java marked a significant milestone in software development, influencing the evolution of programming languages and computing.
2002 – The “55 parties” agreement is signed by the major political parties in East Timor, establishing a framework for national governance
On May 23, 2002, the major political parties in East Timor signed the “55 parties” agreement, establishing a framework for national governance in the newly independent nation. East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, had gained independence from Indonesia in 1999 after a long and violent struggle.
The agreement was a crucial step in building a stable political system and promoting national unity. It outlined principles for democratic governance, human rights, and the rule of law, setting the foundation for East Timor’s first democratic elections and the establishment of its governmental institutions. The agreement represented a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards peace and development.