February 23: What Happened on This Day in History

23February

February 23rd marks the 54th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 311 days (312 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.

Discover what happened on February 23rd in history, famous birthdays on February 23rd, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to February 23.

history

What happened on February 23?

Here's what happened on February 23rd in history:


  • 2021: A comprehensive COVID-19 antibody survey conducted in Lagos, Nigeria, revealed a staggering finding: approximately 4 million people in the state had been infected with the virus. This number significantly exceeded the official recorded cases for the entire African continent, suggesting massive underreporting and highlighting the challenges in tracking the pandemic's true spread in developing regions.
  • 2014: On February 23, 2014, former President Yanukovych was reportedly blocked from leaving Ukraine as protests intensified. This event was part of the broader Ukrainian revolution that sought to remove him from power. source: bbc.com
  • 2011: By February 23, 2011, the Libyan Civil War had intensified. Anti-Gaddafi forces had captured key cities, and the government forces were reportedly using heavy artillery and airstrikes against civilian areas. The conflict had led to a significant number of casualties and displaced persons. source: britannica.com
  • 2004: On February 23, 2004, the Palestinian Authority filed a case against Israel regarding the construction of the West Bank barrier, claiming it violated international law. This legal action was part of ongoing tensions in the region. source: bbc.com
  • 2002: The Nebra Sky Disc, an ancient Bronze Age artifact, was recovered in a police-led sting operation in Basel, Switzerland, after being illegally sold on the black market. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 1999: Eminem released his breakthrough album, 'The Slim Shady LP,' on February 23, 1999. This album catapulted him to fame and is credited with bringing hip-hop to a broader audience, featuring hits that addressed personal and social issues. source: rollingstone.com
  • 1998: On February 23, 1998, Osama bin Laden issued a fatwa calling for jihad against Americans and their allies. This declaration marked a significant moment in the rise of global terrorism and anti-Western sentiment. source: reuters.com
  • 1995: On February 23, 1995, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a significant milestone, closing above 4,000 points for the first time. This event was seen as a reflection of the strong performance of the U.S. economy during the 1990s. source: wsj.com
  • 1988: The Anfal campaign, a series of military operations conducted by the Iraqi government against the Kurdish population, began on February 23, 1988. This campaign resulted in widespread atrocities, including mass killings, forced displacements, and the use of chemical weapons. It is considered one of the most severe genocides of the late 20th century, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of Kurds. source: britannica.com
  • 1981: On February 23, 1981, a coup attempt occurred in Spain when Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero led a group of armed Civil Guards into the Spanish Parliament, attempting to seize control. The coup ultimately failed due to widespread public opposition and the decisive stance taken by King Juan Carlos I, who reaffirmed his commitment to democracy. This event is often referred to as 23-F and marked a significant moment in Spain's transition to democracy after Franco's dictatorship. source: bbc.com
Discover all events on February 23 in history
birthday

What famous birthdays are on February 23?

On February 23rd there are the following famous birthdays:


  • John Lewis
    John Lewis (1942)

    John Lewis was an influential American civil rights leader and politician who played a key role in the struggle for racial equality in the United States. He served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020 and is widely recognized for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, especially as chairman of … [bio]

  • Emily Blunt
    Emily Blunt (1983)

    Emily Blunt is a British actress renowned for her versatile roles across drama, comedy, and action films. She is best known for her performances in films such as 'The Devil Wears Prada,' 'Edge of Tomorrow,' 'A Quiet Place,' and 'Mary Poppins Returns.' Blunt has received multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and nominations for several BAFTA and Screen Actors … [bio]

  • Peter Fonda
    Peter Fonda (1940)

    Peter Fonda was an American actor, director, and screenwriter, best known for his influential role in the 1969 film 'Easy Rider.' A prominent figure of 1960s counterculture cinema, Fonda also received critical acclaim throughout his career with multiple award nominations. [bio]

  • Aziz Ansari
    Aziz Ansari (1983)

    Aziz Ansari is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. He is best known for his role as Tom Haverford on the NBC series 'Parks and Recreation' and as the creator and star of the Netflix series 'Master of None.' Ansari has won several awards for his work, including multiple Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. [bio]

  • Josh Gad
    Josh Gad (1981)

    Josh Gad is an American actor, comedian, and singer best known for voicing Olaf the snowman in the 'Frozen' franchise and for his roles in 'The Book of Mormon' on Broadway and various television and film projects. [bio]

  • Samara Weaving
    Samara Weaving (1992)

    Samara Weaving is an Australian actress and model known for her roles in film and television, including the horror-comedy 'Ready or Not' and the series 'Home and Away.' [bio]

  • Majel Barrett
    Majel Barrett (1939)

    Majel Barrett was an American actress and producer, best known for her recurring roles in the Star Trek franchise as Nurse Christine Chapel, Lwaxana Troi, and as the voice of Starfleet computers. She was also the wife of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. [bio]

  • Patricia Richardson
    Patricia Richardson (1951)

    Patricia Richardson is an American actress best known for her role as Jill Taylor on the long-running television sitcom 'Home Improvement,' which earned her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. [bio]

  • Jan Böhmermann
    Jan Böhmermann (1981)

    Jan Böhmermann is a German satirist, television host, and journalist best known for his provocative humor and political commentary. He gained international attention in 2016 for his controversial poem about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. [bio]

  • Andre Ward
    Andre Ward (1984)

    Andre Ward is an American former professional boxer who held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the unified WBA (Super), WBC, and The Ring super middleweight titles and the WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles. Known for his exceptional skill and undefeated record, Ward retired as one of the most accomplished boxers of his era. [bio]

  • More celebrities born on February 23

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RIP

Who died on February 23?

On February 23rd the following celebrities died:


  • Stan Laurel
    Stan Laurel (1965)

    Stan Laurel was a British comic actor, writer, and director, best known as one half of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Renowned for his slapstick comedy and partnership with Oliver Hardy, Laurel's career spanned vaudeville, silent films, and talkies, making him a beloved figure in early cinematic comedy. [bio]

  • Katherine Helmond
    Katherine Helmond (2019)

    Katherine Helmond was an American film, theater, and television actress, best known for her roles in the sitcoms 'Soap' and 'Who's the Boss?', as well as voice work in the 'Cars' film series. Her career was marked by numerous television, stage, and film performances, earning her critical acclaim and several award nominations. [bio]

  • Florence Rice
    Florence Rice (1974)

    Actress (girl at 1313, carnival), is killed at 63.

  • John Keats
    John Keats (1821)

    An english romantic poet.

  • James Herriot
    James Herriot (1995)

    A renowned British veterinarian and author who wrote beloved semi-autobiographical books about rural veterinary life in Yorkshire, most...

  • Alice Herz-Sommer
    Alice Herz-Sommer (2014)

    A renowned Jewish pianist and music teacher who survived the Theresienstadt concentration camp.

  • Joshua Reynolds
    Joshua Reynolds (1792)

    Joshua Reynolds was an influential English portrait painter and the first President of the Royal Academy of Arts.

  • Stanley Matthews
    Stanley Matthews (2000)

    Stanley Matthews was a pioneering English footballer widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation.

  • John Motson
    John Motson (2023)

    Legendary BBC football commentator known for his distinctive style and encyclopedic knowledge of football, who covered matches for over 50...

  • Carlos Hathcock
    Carlos Hathcock (1999)

    Legendary United States Marine Corps sniper, known for his exceptional marksmanship during the Vietnam War and his significant influence on...

  • More famous people died on February 23

calendar

What day of the year is February 23?


February 23rd marks the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.

There are 311 days remaining until the end of the year (or 312 days in case of leap years).

February 23rd is the 23rd day of the month of February.

What day of the week is February 23?

On February 23rd, 2026 the day of the week is Monday.

February 2026
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
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Holidays and Observances on February 23

zodiac

What zodiac sign is associated with the day February 23?