On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
December 23
Events on This Day
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1888
125 years agoVincent van Gogh cuts off his left ear with a razor while suffering from depression. He later depicts the event in a self-portrait.
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1913
100 years agoPresident Woodrow Wilson signs the Federal Reserve Act, which created the central banking system of the United States.
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1946
67 years agoPresident Harry S. Truman considers the cases of conscientious objectors who were jailed for refusing to serve during World War II.
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1993
20 years agoTom Hanks and Antonio Banderas star in Philadelphia, the first Hollywood movie about AIDS
December 23
Born on This Day
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Eddie Vedder
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Singers
- Famous Grammy Winners
Eddie Vedder
Singer / 1964 -
As lead singer of the grunge rock band Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder belted out hits like "Evenflow," "Alive" and "Jeremy."
Born: December 23, 1964
Age: 48 years old
Birthplace: Evanston, Illinois, United States
Occupation: Singer -
Corey Haim
- In these groups:
- Where Are They Now
- Child Stars
- Famous Capricorns
Corey Haim
Actor / 1971 - 2010
Corey Haim was a Canadian actor who was a teen hearthrob in the 1980s (often paired with Corey Feldman). He battled addiction and died of an overdose in 2010.
1971 | 38 years old
Actor -
Susan Lucci
- In these groups:
- People Who Played Scrooge
- Girl Scouts
- Cast of Dancing with the Stars
Susan Lucci
Film Actress, Television Actress / 1946 -
Susan Lucci is an American actress, best known for portraying Erica Kane on the daytime drama All My Children.
1946 | 66 years old
Film Actress, Television Actress -
Madam C.J. Walker
- In these groups:
- Million-Dollar Ideas
- Famous Black Inventors
- Groundbreaking Women
Madam C.J. Walker
Civil Rights Activist, Entrepreneur / 1867 - 1919
Madam C.J. Walker was the first American woman to become a self-made millionaire. Her business was worth more than $1 million at the time of her death.
Born: December 23, 1867
Birthplace: Delta, Louisiana, United States
Occupation: Civil Rights Activist, Entrepreneur -
Maritza Correia
- In these groups:
- Olympic Swimmers
- Hispanic Athletes
- Famous Black Athletes
Maritza Correia
Professional Swimmer / 1981 -
In 2004, athlete Maritza Correia made history as the first African-American woman to earn a place on the U.S. Olympic Swim Team. She later became the first African-American woman to break an American record.
1981 | 31 years old
Professional Swimmer -
Joseph Smith
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous People Named Joseph
- Famous People Named Smith
Joseph Smith
Religious Leader / 1805 - 1844
Joseph Smith was the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After he was murdered, his work was continued by Brigham Young.
1805 | 38 years old
Religious Leader
December 23
Died on This Day
-
Victor Borge
- In these groups:
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Pianists
Victor Borge
Comedian, Pianist / 1909 - 2000
Victor Borge was a classically trained pianist who went from concert halls to playing shows infused with humor.Died: December 23, 2000
Age: 91 years old
Place: Greenwich, Connecticut , United States
Occupation: Comedian, Pianist -
Gerard Kuiper
- In these groups:
- Famous Academics
- Famous Teachers
- Famous Sagittarians
Gerard Kuiper
Educator, Astronomer / 1905 - 1973
Dutch-American astronomer Gerard Kuiper, born in 1905, made many important discoveries about our solar system.
1973 | 68 years old
Educator, Astronomer -
Billy Barty
- In these groups:
- Famous Scorpios
- Famous Actors
- Famous Comedians
Billy Barty
Actor, Comedian / 1924 - 2000
Billy Barty is best known for his long acting career, even as he fought for the rights of little people.
2000 | 76 years old
Actor, Comedian
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Play Nowprofile name: Eddie Vedder profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 547970
profile name: Corey Haim profile occupation: Actor
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profile name: Susan Lucci profile occupation: Film Actress, Television Actress
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profile name: Madam C.J. Walker profile occupation: Civil Rights Activist, Entrepreneur
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profile name: Maritza Correia profile occupation: Professional Swimmer
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profile name: Joseph Smith profile occupation: Religious Leader
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profile name: Victor Borge profile occupation: Comedian, Pianist
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profile name: Gerard Kuiper profile occupation: Educator, Astronomer
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profile name: Billy Barty profile occupation: Actor, Comedian
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profile name: Vincent van Gogh profile occupation: Painter
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profile name: Woodrow Wilson profile occupation: Educator
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profile name: Harry S. Truman profile occupation: U.S. President
profile id: 9327661
profile name: Tom Hanks profile occupation: Television Actor
profile id: 9197649
profile name: Antonio Banderas profile occupation: Television Actor
profile id: 9189320
profile name: Benedict Arnold profile occupation: General
profile id: 9447934
profile name: Marcel Proust profile occupation: Author
profile id: 9358066
profile name: Michael Jordan profile occupation: Basketball Player
profile id: 224897
profile name: Phil Jackson profile occupation: Coach
profile id: 9284324
profile name: Prince Philip profile occupation: Duke
profile id: 37350
profile name: Baby Dodds profile occupation: Drummer
profile id: 38142
profile name: Rickey Henderson profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 37151
profile name: Leonel Fernández Reyna profile occupation: World Leader
profile id: 38125
profile name: Ernesto Zedillo profile occupation: World Leader
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