May 23

Friday 23, 2003:

2004 - Part of Paris Charles De Gaulle International Airport Terminal 2E collapses, killing five people and injuring three others.

Thursday 23, 2002:

The "55 parties" clause of the Kyoto protocol is reached after its ratification by Iceland.

Sunday 23, 1999:

In Kansas City, Missouri, Owen Hart (playing The Blue Blazer) falls 90 feet to his death while being lowered into a World Wrestling Federation ring.

Saturday 23, 1998:

The Good Friday Agreement is accepted in a referendum, with a high margin of three-fourth 'yes' votes to Northern Ireland.

Friday 23, 1997:

Mohammad Khatami is elected as President of Iran.

Tuesday 23, 1995:

Oklahoma City bombing: In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, what remains of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building is imploded.

Thursday 23, 1985:

U.S. engineer Thomas Patrick Cavanagh is sentenced to life in prison for attempting to sell stealth bomber secrets to the Soviet Union.

Monday 23, 1977:

1980 - Australian Oylmpic commitie decides to send a team to Moscow. Dispite opposition by P.M Malcom Fraser

Friday 23, 1969:

Rock band The Who release Tommy, the first rock opera.

Tuesday 23, 1967:

Egypt closes the Straits of Tiran and blockades the port of Eilat at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli shipping, laying the foundations for the Six Day War.

Wednesday 23, 1962:

Drilling for the Montreal Metro commences.

Monday 23, 1960:

Prime Minister of Israel David Ben-Gurion announces that Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann has been captured.

Friday 23, 1958:

Explorer I ceases transmission.

Monday 23, 1949:

The Federal Republic of Germany is established, and the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany proclaimed.

Wednesday 23, 1945:

Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS, commits suicide while in Allied custody.

Tuesday 23, 1939:

The U.S. Navy submarine USS Squalus sinks off the coast of New Hampshire during a test dive, causing the death of 26 sailors. The remaining 32 crewmen and one passenger are rescued the following day.

Wednesday 23, 1934:

Near their hideout in Black Lake, Louisiana, bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are ambushed and shot dead by police.

Thursday 23, 1929:

The first talking cartoon of Mickey Mouse, The Karnival Kid, was released.

Wednesday 23, 1923:

Launch of Belgium's SABENA airline.

Sunday 23, 1915:

World War I: Italy joins the Allies after they declare war on Austria-Hungary.

Tuesday 23, 1911:

Dedication ceremony for the New York Public Library.

Wednesday 23, 1906:

Wright brothers are granted U.S. patent number 821,393 for their "Flying-Machine".

Wednesday 23, 1900:

American Civil War: Sergeant William Harvey Carney becomes the first African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor, for his heroism in the Assault on the Battery Wagner.

Friday 23, 1873:

The Canadian Parliament establishes the North West Mounted Police, the forerunner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Tuesday 23, 1865:

A parade is held in Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, to celebrate the end of the American Civil War.

Thursday 23, 1844:

Persian Prophet The Báb announces His revelation, founding Bábism.

Sunday 23, 1813:

South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the invasion of Venezuela, and is proclaimed El Libertador ("The Liberator").

Thursday 23, 1805:

Napoleon Bonaparte is crowned King of Italy with the Iron Crown of Lombardy in the Cathedral of Milan.

Friday 23, 1788:

South Carolina becomes the 8th U.S. state to ratify the United States Constitution.

Monday 23, 1701:

After being convicted of piracy and of murdering William Moore, Captain William Kidd is hanged in London.

Wednesday 23, 1618:

The Second Defenestration of Prague precipitates the Thirty Years' War.

Saturday 23, 1609:

Official ratification of the Second Charter of Virginia takes place.

Thursday 23, 1568:

Dutch rebels led by Louis of Nassau, brother of William I of Orange, defeat Jean de Ligne, Duke of Aremberg and his loyalist troops in the Battle of Heiligerlee, opening the Eighty Years' War.

Monday 23, 1555:

Paul IV becomes Pope.

Friday 23, 1541:

Jacques Cartier leaves St-Malo, France on his third voyage.

Tuesday 23, 1533:

The marriage of King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon is declared null and void.

Monday 23, 1498:

Girolamo Savonarola is executed on the orders of Pope Alexander VI

Sunday 23, 1430:

Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to relieve Compiègne

More on May, 23

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