March 23

Wednesday 23, 2005:

The United States 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, refuses to order the reinsertion of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube.

Tuesday 23, 2004:

Andhra Pradesh Federation of Trade Unions holds its first conference in Hyderabad, India.

Sunday 23, 2003:

In Nasiriyah, Iraq, 18 U.S. Marines are killed during the first major conflict of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Friday 23, 2001:

The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) (now World Wrestling Entertainment) purchases rival organization World Championship Wrestling (WCW) for an estimated $5 million.

Tuesday 23, 1999:

Gunmen assassinate Paraguay's Vice President Luis María Argaña.

Saturday 23, 1996:

Taiwan holds its first direct elections and chooses Lee Teng-hui as President

Wednesday 23, 1994:

At an election rally in Tijuana, Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio is assassinated by Mario Aburto Martínez.

Thursday 23, 1989:

A 1,000-foot diameter Near-Earth asteroid misses the Earth by 400,000 miles.

Wednesday 23, 1983:

Strategic Defense Initiative: President Ronald Reagan makes his initial proposal to develop technology to intercept enemy missiles.

Thursday 23, 1978:

The first UNIFIL troops arrived in Lebanon for peacekeeping mission along the Blue Line.

Tuesday 23, 1965:

NASA launches Gemini 3, the United States' first two-man space flight (crew: Gus Grissom and John Young).

Saturday 23, 1963:

In London, United Kingdom, Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann win the eighth Eurovision Song Contest for Denmark singing "Dansevise" (Dancing tune).

Friday 23, 1962:

NS Savannah, the first nuclear-powered cargo-passenger ship, was launched as a showcase for Dwight D. Eisenhower's Atoms for Peace initiative.

Friday 23, 1956:

Pakistan becomes the first Islamic republic in the world.

Monday 23, 1942:

World War II: In the Indian Ocean, Japanese forces capture the Andaman Islands.

Saturday 23, 1940:

The Lahore Resolution (Qarardad-e-Pakistan or the then Qarardad-e-Lahore) is put forward at the Annual General Convention of the All India Muslim League.

Saturday 23, 1935:

Signing of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Philippines

Thursday 23, 1933:

The Reichstag passes the Enabling Act, making Adolf Hitler dictator of Germany.

Monday 23, 1931:

Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt embrace the gallows during the Indian struggle for independence. Their request to be shot by a firing squad is refused.

Sunday 23, 1919:

In Milan, Italy, Benito Mussolini founds his Fascist political movement.

Tuesday 23, 1909:

Theodore Roosevelt leaves New York for a post-presidency safari in Africa. The trip is sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society.

Monday 23, 1903:

The Wright Brothers apply for a patent on their invention of one of the first successful airplanes after much hard work.

Saturday 23, 1889:

The free Woolwich Ferry officially opens in east London.

Monday 23, 1868:

The University of California is founded in Oakland, California when the Organic Act is signed into law.

Monday 23, 1857:

Death of Emile L'Angelier in Glasgow, Scotland -- possibly by the hand of Madeleine Smith.

Thursday 23, 1848:

The ship John Wickliffe arrives at Port Chalmers carrying the first Scottish settlers for Dunedin, New Zealand. Otago province is founded.

Saturday 23, 1839:

First recorded use of "OK" as an abbreviation for "oll korrect" in the Boston Morning Post.

Sunday 23, 1806:

After traveling through the Louisiana Purchase and reaching the Pacific Ocean, explorers Lewis and Clark and their "Corps of Discovery" begin their arduous journey home.

Monday 23, 1801:

Tsar Paul I of Russia is struck with a sword, then strangled, and finally trampled to death in his bedroom at St. Michael Palace.

Thursday 23, 1775:

"give me liberty or give me death" at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia.

Friday 23, 1708:

James Francis Edward Stuart lands at the Firth of Forth.

Saturday 23, 1568:

Peace of Longjumeau ends the Second War of Religion in France. Again Catherine de Medici and Charles IX of France make substantial concessions to the Huguenots.

Sunday 23, 752:

Stephen II becomes Pope.

More on March, 23

• People Born on March, 23
• They left us on March, 23