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
February 23 Monday, February 23, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 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
6
Holidays
1950
UK history 76 years ago
General elections are held in the United Kingdom.
General elections are held in the United Kingdom, resulting in a narrow Labour victory with Clement Attlee remaining Prime Minister.
History
What happened on February 23
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 303Religion
Roman emperor Diocletian orders the destruction of the Christian church in Nicomedia, beginning eight years of Diocletianic Persecution.
Diocletian orders the destruction of the Christian church in Nicomedia, marking the start of severe persecution against Christians.
- 532Religion
Byzantine emperor Justinian I lays the foundation stone of a new Orthodox Christian basilica in Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia.
Byzantine emperor Justinian I lays the foundation stone for the Hagia Sophia, an Orthodox Christian basilica in Constantinople that will become one of history's most influential architectural achievements.
- 628World history
Khosrow II, Shahanshah of the Sasanian Empire, is overthrown.
Khosrow II, the emperor of the Sasanian Empire, is deposed and replaced.
- 705World history
Empress Wu Zetian abdicates the throne, restoring the Tang dynasty.
Empress Wu Zetian steps down, returning power to the Tang dynasty.
- 1455Technology
Traditionally the date of publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed with movable type.
The Gutenberg Bible is traditionally published, marking it as the first Western book printed with movable type.
- 1725Culture
J. S. Bach leads his Tafel-Music Shepherd Cantata for the birthday of Christian, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels.
Johann Sebastian Bach premieres his Shepherd Cantata to celebrate the birthday of Christian, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels.
- 1778War
American Revolutionary War: Baron von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to help train the Continental Army.
Prussian military officer Baron von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge to transform the ragged Continental Army into a disciplined fighting force.
- 1836US history
Texas Revolution: The Siege of the Alamo (prelude to the Battle of the Alamo) begins in San Antonio, Texas.
Mexican forces begin a siege of the Alamo mission in San Antonio, Texas, marking the prelude to the famous battle.
- 1887Disaster
The French Riviera is hit by a large earthquake, killing around 2,000.
A powerful earthquake strikes the French Riviera, resulting in approximately 2,000 deaths.
- 1950UK history
General elections are held in the United Kingdom.
General elections are held in the United Kingdom, resulting in a narrow Labour victory with Clement Attlee remaining Prime Minister.
- 1980Politics
Iran hostage crisis: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini states that Iran's parliament will decide the fate of the American embassy hostages.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini declares that Iran's parliament will determine the fate of the American embassy hostages.
- 2017War
The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army captures Al-Bab from ISIL.
The Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkey, seizes control of Al-Bab from ISIL forces.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 23
7 this date All birthdays
Johnny Carey
Irish footballer and manager
Johnny Carey, the Irish footballer who captained Manchester United from 1946 to 1953 and played for both Ireland teams, was born today in 1919.
Born
1919
Died
1995
Matthias Corvinus
Hungarian king
1443 – 1490
Norman Taurog
American director and screenwriter
1899 – 1981
Dante Lavelli
American football player
1923 – 2009
Régine Crespin
French soprano and actress
1927 – 2007
Marc Garneau
Canadian engineer, astronaut, and politician
1949 – 2025
Ola Svensson
Swedish singer-songwriter
b. 1986 · 40
Music
The number one songs on February 23
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Opalite"— Taylor Swift
- 2025"Messy"— Lola Young
- 2024"Stick Season"— Noah Kahan
- 2023"Flowers"— Miley Cyrus
- 2022"We Don't Talk About Bruno"— Carolina Gaitán , Mauro Castillo , Adassa , Rhenzy Feliz , Diane Guerrero and Stephanie Beatriz
- 2021"Drivers License"— Olivia Rodrigo
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport February 23, 1998
Tara Lipinski becomes the youngest individual gold medalist in Winter Olympics history
At the Nagano Winter Olympics, the 15-year-old American figure skater wins the ladies' singles competition, defeating Michelle Kwan. Her record as youngest individual event champion in Winter Games history stands for decades.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 23, 1941
Plutonium is first produced and isolated by Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg.
Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg produces and isolates plutonium, a breakthrough in nuclear science.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
The Emperor's Birthday, birthday of Naruhito, the current Emperor of Japan (Japan)
International
Emperor's Birthday is an annual public holiday in Japan celebrating the birthday of the reigning emperor, which is currently 23 February as Emperor Naruhito was born on that day in 1960
Mashramani-Republic Day (Guyana)
International
Mashramani, often abbreviated to "Mash", is an annual festival that celebrates Guyana becoming a Republic in 1970
National Day (Brunei)
International
National Day or Independence Day is the national day of Brunei, commemorating the anniversary of Brunei's proclamation of independence
Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former Soviet Union, also held in various former Soviet republics: Defender of the Fatherland Day (Russia)
International
Defender of the Fatherland Day is a holiday observed in Russia, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan honouring their countries' armed forces and commemorating the founding of t
Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former Soviet Union, also held in various former Soviet republics: Defender of the Fatherland and Armed Forces day (Belarus)
International
National holidays in Belarus are classified into state holidays and other holidays and commemorative days, including religious holidays
Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former Soviet Union, also held in various former Soviet republics: Armed Forces Day (Tajikistan) (Tajikistan)
International
Armed Forces Day also known as Tajik National Army Day or Defender of the Fatherland Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on 23 February, commemorating the founding of the Armed Forces of the
❝
I am the state.
— Louis XIV · born February 23, 1638