Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
April 23 Thursday, April 23, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 23 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
8
Holidays
-215
World history 2241 years ago
A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Lake Trasimene.
A temple dedicated to Venus Erycina is erected on the Capitoline Hill to commemorate Rome's devastating defeat at Lake Trasimene during the Second Punic War.
History
What happened on April 23
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -215World history
A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Lake Trasimene.
A temple dedicated to Venus Erycina is erected on the Capitoline Hill to commemorate Rome's devastating defeat at Lake Trasimene during the Second Punic War.
- 599World history
Maya king Uneh Chan of Calakmul attacks rival city-state Palenque in southern Mexico, defeating queen Yohl Ik'nal and sacking the city.
Uneh Chan of Calakmul defeats Palenque's queen Yohl Ik'nal and sacks the city.
- 711European history
Dagobert III succeeds his father King Childebert III as King of the Franks.
Dagobert III becomes king of the Franks upon his father Childebert III's death.
- 1014European history
Battle of Clontarf: High King of Ireland Brian Boru defeats Viking invaders, but is killed in battle.
Brian Boru defeats Viking invaders at the Battle of Clontarf but is killed in the conflict.
- 1016UK history
Edmund Ironside succeeds his father Æthelred the Unready as King of England.
Edmund Ironside becomes king of England after his father Æthelred the Unready.
- 1343European history
St. George's Night Uprising commences in the Duchy of Estonia.
Estonian peasants rise against their Danish and German overlords in the Duchy of Estonia, igniting a widespread rebellion that would reshape the region's medieval power structure.
- 1348Royalty
The founding of the Order of the Garter by King Edward III is announced on St. George's Day.
King Edward III announces the founding of the Order of the Garter, a prestigious British order of chivalry.
- 1500World history
Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvarez Cabral reaches new coastline (Brazil).
Pedro Álvares Cabral discovers a new coastline, claiming it for Portugal and naming it Brazil.
- 1516European history
The Munich Reinheitsgebot (regarding the ingredients of beer) takes effect in all of Bavaria.
The Munich Reinheitsgebot becomes law across Bavaria, regulating beer ingredients to barley, hops, and water.
- 1655War
The Siege of Santo Domingo begins during the Anglo-Spanish War, and fails seven days later.
British forces under Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables launch a siege of Santo Domingo but withdraw in failure after seven days.
- 1660European history
Treaty of Oliva is established between Sweden and Poland.
Sweden and Poland sign the Treaty of Oliva, ending their long-standing conflict.
- 1724Religion
Johann Sebastian Bach leads the first performance of his cantata Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104, illustrating the topic of the Good Shepherd in pastoral music.
Johann Sebastian Bach conducts the premiere of his cantata Du Hirte Israel, höre, showcasing the theme of the Good Shepherd through pastoral music.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 23
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 40
Sven Kramer
Dutch speed skater
Sven Kramer, retired Dutch speed skater who won a record nine World Allround Championships and Olympic gold in the 5000 meters at three consecutive Winter Olympics, turns 40 today.
Born
1986
Turns 40
today
Wei Yuan
Chinese scholar and author
1794 – 1856
Stephen A. Douglas
American educator and politician, 7th Illinois Secretary of State
1813 – 1861
Guy Simonds
English-Canadian general
1903 – 1974
Oleg Penkovsky
Russian colonel
1919 – 1963
Avram Davidson
American soldier and author
1923 – 1993
Gail Goodrich
American basketball player and coach
b. 1943 · 83
Music
The number one songs on April 23
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on April 23, 2016
"One Dance"
by Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla
#1 for 15 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Too Sweet"— Hozier
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"— Lil Nas X
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport April 23, 1927
Cardiff City defeat Arsenal in the FA Cup Final, the only time it has been won by a team not based in England.
Cardiff City wins the FA Cup, becoming the only Welsh team to defeat an English side in the final.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 23, 1967
Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov dies when Soyuz 1 crashes during reentry
Soyuz 1 suffered multiple technical failures during its mission. Komarov became the first human to die during a space flight when the spacecraft's parachute failed to deploy properly during landing.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Canada Book Day (Canada)
International
Canada Book Day is a yearly event celebrated in Canada on April 23 to promote reading and books during Canada Book Week
Castile and León Day (Castile and León)
International
Castile and León Day is a holiday celebrated on 23 April in the autonomous community of Castile and León, a subdivision of Spain
International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day
International
International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day is a commemoration declared by author Jo Walton, held on April 23 and first celebrated in 2007, in response to remarks made by Howard V
Khongjom Day (Manipur)
International
The Anglo-Manipur War or Manipuri Rebellion of 1891 was a short armed conflict between the British Colonial Forces and the brave royal princes of Manipur Kingdom, Manipur was an independent kingdom at
National Sovereignty and Children's Day (Turkey and Northern Cyprus)
International
National Sovereignty and Children's Day is a public holiday in Turkey and Northern Cyprus commemorating the foundation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, on 23 April 1920
Navy Day (China)
International
Several nations observe or have observed a Navy Day to recognize their navy
❝
A room without books is like a body without a soul.
— Marcus Tullius Cicero · born April 23, -106