2021December

December 23: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

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Did you know that on this day, December 23, 1972, the survivors of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 plane crash were rescued?

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December 23rd is the day we officially celebrate Roots Day & Pfeffernusse Day.

We are now on the 357th day of the year, congratulations for making it this far! There’s only 2 days left until Christmas Day.

This day in history has been an interesting one! Here you’re going to learn something new about this special day, and what exactly made this day so special.

Did you know that on this day in 1972, the survivors of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 plane crash were rescued? They had been struggling to stay alive for 72 days in a remote part of the Andes mountains.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about December 23rd in history!

Events

What memorable events happened on December 23 in history? Keep reading to find out!

2003

A gas explosion occurred in Guoqiao, Kai, Chongqing, China.

A gas well belonging to PetroChina’s Southwest Oil in the Chuandongbei gas field exploded, releasing highly toxic hydrogen sulfide. This incident killed 233 people and injured at least 9,000.

1997

Rom-com movie “As Good as It Gets” was released in theaters in the US.

OTD in 1997: Rom-com movie "As Good as It Gets" was released in theaters in the US.

It was written and directed by James L. Brooks and starred Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt.

1994

Whitey Bulger, an organized crime boss, fled Boston after fearing arrest from the FBI.

He successfully hid from law enforcement for 16 years.

1987

Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, who was serving a life sentence for the attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford, escaped from Alderson Prison.

1986

The first aircraft flew around the world without stopping or refueling.

OTD in 1986: The first aircraft flew around the world without stopping or refueling.

The experimental airplane “Voyager” was piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager on a non-stop flight around the world – a journey that took nine days.

1986

The Rutan Voyager became the first plane to fly around the world without stopping for fuel.

Piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, Voyager took off from Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert, California, on December 14. The two pilots initially intended to fly in 3-hour shifts, but due to limitations in space, one of the pilots flew for three consecutive days at one point. When Voyager finally landed again, it had just 1.5% of the fuel it started with.

1972

A 6.25 magnitude earthquake destroyed central Managua, Nicaragua, killing about 10,000 people.

1972

Plane crash survivors of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 were rescued.

OTD in 1972: Plane crash survivors of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 were rescued.

Sixteen plane crash survivors were rescued after being stranded in the Andes for seventy days. Although 33 of the 45 onboard survived the crash, injuries and severe weather conditions killed many more. Survivors had to resort to cannibalism in order to stay alive.

1968

After eleven months of imprisonment, 83 men from the US Navy were released by North Korea.

On January 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo, a spy ship, was captured along with its crew by the North Korean armed forces. While the US Navy claimed that the Pueblo was outside of North Korea’s waters, North Korea claimed otherwise. The captives were only released after the US signed a statement that they were indeed within North Korea’s territory and that they would never do it again.

1954

The first successful kidney transplant took place at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

The procedure was carried out by Dr. Joseph E. Murray, who later won a Nobel Peace Prize in Medicine.

1954

Dr. Joseph E. Murray performed the first human kidney transplant at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

1948

Cinderella, the first full-length ballet by Frederick Ashton with music by Sergei Prokofiev, was first presented at Covent Garden, London, by Sadler’s Wells Ballet.

1888

Vincent van Gogh cut his left ear off with a razor after an argument with fellow painter Paul Gauguin.

He sent it to a prostitute for safekeeping.

1815

The novel “Emma” by Jane Austen was first published.

OTD in 1815: The novel "Emma" by Jane Austen was first published.

583 AD

Yohl Ikʼnal ascended to the throne of Palenque, making her the first queen regnant in Maya history.

Famous Births

Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, did you know that you share the same birthday as Harry Judd? See what other famous people were born on this day.

2002

Finn Wolfhard

Canadian

Actor

Finn Wolfhard

Age:

21 years old

Born In:

British Columbia, Canada

1971

Corey Haim

Canadian

Actor

Corey Haim

Died On:

Mar 10, 2010 (Age 38)

Born In:

Ontario, Canada

1805

Joseph Smith

American

Religious Leader

Joseph Smith

Died On:

Jun 27, 1844 (Age 38)

Born In:

Vermont, USA

1985

Harry Judd

English

Musician

Harry Judd

Age:

38 years old

Born In:

England, UK

Quotes

Here are the most famous or noteworthy quotes said on this day throughout history.

1888

Life must be studied not from the pluses alone, but from the minuses too.

Anton Chekhov

Russian Playwright

Special Holidays

Are you looking for something to do today? Well, here’s a few special days that might just give you some ideas.

December 23: National Roots Day
United States

National Roots Day

It’s about time we all have a closer look at your roots, and we’re not talking about plants or your hair! So celebrate National Roots Day by getting together with your family and tracing your family’s ancestry. You might be surprised by who you’re related to!

December 23: National Pfeffernüsse Day
United States

National Pfeffernüsse Day

For many people in Europe, the Christmas period just isn’t the same without these delicious spiced cookies. If you’ve never tried them before, you’re definitely missing out! There’s no better way to celebrate today than to try baking your own; it’s always worth the effort.

THe Fact Site’s

Fun Fact Of The Day

The old flag (1977-2011) of Libya consisted of a green field. It was the only national flag in the world with just one color and no design, emblem, or other details.

Birthday & Zodiac

For those of you who were born on December 23, your zodiac sign is Capricorn.

Capricorns are ambitious, determined and will consistently apply efforts to any task at hand to get the job done. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, or indeed, how many times they might fail.

People born in December share the Blue Topaz birthstone. The blue topaz promotes harmony, serenity, tranquility and helps the wearer to overcome pain and hurt.

If you were born on this day, you were likely conceived on the week of April 1st in the same year.

A baby that is conceived on December 23rd, 2021, will likely be due around September 15th, 2022.

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