August 23rd is known as Sponge Cake Day and Ride The Wind Day.
We made it to day 235 of the year and there’s only 130 days left to go until we reach the new year.
If today is a special day for you, or you just want to know more about it then you’re going to love our selection of historical events that all happened on this day.
Did you know that on this day in 1541, French explorer Jacques Cartier arrived in the city of Quebec? He is credited with naming Canada by referring to Quebec using the native’s word for village, “kanata.”
Keep reading for more interesting facts about August 23rd in history!
What Events Happened On August 23 In History?
2007 Chris Messina Tweeted #barcamp, which became the first use of a hashtag on Twitter.
1990 Armenia declared its independence from the Soviet Union.
1966 The first-ever photograph was taken of the Earth from the surface of the Moon.
1948 The World Council of Churches (WCC) was founded with 147 churches from 44 countries.
1924 Mars had a “close encounter” with Earth at 34.8 million miles apart.
1914 During World War I, Japan officially declared war on Germany on this day.
1899 The first-ever message was sent from a ship to the shore at Cliff House, San Francisco.
1873 The Albert Bridge opened in London, England.
1799 Napoleon Bonaparte left Egypt to return home to France.
1793 During the French Revolution a mass levy was adopted making it compulsory for any able-bodied men aged 18 to 25 to join military service for duty.
1541 French explorer, Jacques Cartier arrived in the city of Quebec during his third voyage in Canada.
1305 Scottish knight William Wallace was executed for treason by being hung, drawn and quartered by order of King Edward I of England.
Famous People Born On August 23
Is today is your birthday? If so, you share this special day with Kobe Bryant! Check out more famous people born on this day below.
1978 Kobe Bryant
American Basketball Player
- Died On:
- Jan 26, 2020 (Age 41)
- Born In:
- Pennsylvania, USA
1970 River Phoenix
American Actor
- Died On:
- Oct 31, 1993 (Age 23)
- Born In:
- Oregon, USA
1978 Julian Casablancas
American Singer
- Age:
- 43 years old
- Born In:
- New York, USA
Special Holidays On August 23
If you can spare some time today, here are some unique holidays you could get involved with.
National Sponge Cake Day
National Ride The Wind Day
August 23 Birthday Facts, Zodiac & Birthstone
Everyone who was born on August 23rd shares the star sign of Virgo.
Virgo is represented by the Virgin and is the sixth sign in the zodiac. Anyone who was born between August 23 and September 22 falls into this astrological sign.
If you were born in August, Peridot is your assigned birthstone. The largest peridot stone discovered was found on Zagbargad Island, Egypt. It weighs an incredible 311.8 carats and is now located at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.
For those of you who were born on Aug 23, you were likely conceived the previous year on November 30.
