1568 ~ The NETHERLANDS declared their independence from Spain on the 23rd day of May in 1568.
1707 ~ Carolus Linnaeus the Swedish botanist was born on the 23rd May 1707 (died 1778).
1734 ~ FRANZ ANTON MESMER the Austrian physician and hypnotist best known for naming the theory of animal magnetism (magnétisme animal) was born on the 23rd day of May in 1734 (d. 1815). Franz theorised that there was a natural energetic transference that occurred between all animated and inanimate objects, in which he called animal magnetism, and later referred to as mesmerism. His theory attracted a wide following and influence until the end of the 19th century.
1795 ~ Charles Barry the English architect was born on the 23rd May 1795 (died 1860).
1810 ~ Margaret Fuller the American journalist was born on the 23rd May 1810 (died 1850).
1820 ~ James Buchanan Eads the American engineer, inventor and designer of the Eads Bridge was born on the 23rd May 1820 (died 1887).
1829 ~ The ACCORDiON patent was granted to Cyrill Demian in Vienna on the 23rd day of May in 1829. This video features some amazing Accordion skills by Alexander Hrustevich performing the Presto from Summer by Vivaldi...
1834 ~ Carl Heinrich Bloch the Danish painter was born on the 23rd May 1834 (died 1890).
1848 ~ Otto Lilienthal the German aviation pioneer and engineer was born on the 23rd May 1848 (died 1896).
1873 – The Canadian Parliament established the North-West Mounted Police on the 23rd May 1873, now known as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
1910 ~ Hugh Casson the English architect, designer, and artist was born on the 23rd May 1910 (died 1999).
1911 ~ The New York Public Library was dedicated on the 23rd May 1911.
1933 ~ JOAN COLLiNS the English actress was born on the 23rd day of May in 1933. Joan Collins was best known as Alexis Colby on the long running 1980s television soap opera Dynasty…
1934 ~ ROBERT MOOG the American inventor of the Moog synthesizer was born on the 23rd day of May in 1934 (d. 2005)
1934 ~ BONNiE & CLYDE the American bank robbers were ambushed by police and killed in Black Lake, Louisiana on the 23rd day of May in 1934.
1937 ~ JOHN D. ROCKELLER the American industrialist and philanthropist died on the 23rd day of May in 1937 (b. 1839).
1944 ~ JOHN NEWCOMBE the Australian former World No. 1 tennis player was born on the 23rd day of May in 1944.
1945 ~ HEiNRiCH HiMMLER the Nazi official and head of the SS committed suicide while in Allied custody on the 23rd day of May in 1945.
1949 ~ The FEDERAL REPUBLiC of GERMANY was established on the 23rd day of May in 1949, and known as West Germany until the German reunification on the 3rd day of October in 1990.
*German flags photo by Arne Müseler ~ see the full original image
1951 ~ ANATOLY KARPOV the Russian chess grandmaster and former World Champion was born on the 23rd day of May in 1951.
1955 ~ LUKA BLOOM the Irish singer-songwriter was born on the 23rd day of May in 1955.
1958 ~ DREW CAREY the American actor, comedian and game show host was born on the 23rd day of May in 1958.
1958 ~ MiTCH ALBOM the American writer was born on the 23rd day of May in 1958.
1958 ~ Explorer 1 ceased transmission on the 23rd May 1958.
1967 ~ Phil Selway the English drummer from Radiohead was born on the 23rd May 1967.
1970 ~ Matt Flynn the American drummer from Maroon 5 was born on the 23rd May 1970.
1973 ~ Maxwell the American singer-songwriter, musician, and producer was born on the 23rd May 1973.
1974 ~ JEWEL the American singer was born on the 23rd day of May in 1974.
1983 ~ HEiDi RANGE the English singer from Sugababes and originally from Atomic Kitten was born on the 23rd day of May in 1983.
1995 ~ Java programming language (first version) was released on the 23rd May 1995.
2000 ~ WORLD TURTLE DAY started on the 23rd day of May in 2000. World Turtle Day is sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue, to help increase attention, knowledge and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive. American Tortoise Rescue online: Tortoise.com & American Tortoise Rescue Facebook
2013 ~ HAZEL HAWKE the Australian wife of 23rd Prime Minister Bob Hawke, author and amateur pianist died on the 23rd May 2013 (born 1929).
Today in History for May 23rd ~ video presented by the Associated Press…