December 23 in History
December 23 is the birthday of Finn Wolfhard (2002) and the anniversary of the death of Shyam Benegal (2024). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for December 23, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Emperor Zhenzong of Song, emperor of the Song dynasty was born in 968, while Ming Yuan Di, ruler of Northern Wei died in 423.
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Famous people born on December 23
Famous people who died on December 23
2024
Dési Bouterse (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Leader of Suriname (1980–1987; 1990–1991; 2010–2020)
2015
Jean-Marie Pelt (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Jean-Marie Pelt, French biologist, pharmacist, and academic (born 1933)
2012
Jean Harris (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Headmistress; convicted celebrity murderer (1923–2012)
2012
Eduardo Maiorino (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Brazilian kickboxer and mixed martial arts fighter
2010
K. Karunakaran (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Kerala
What happened on December 23
- 2025
The crash of Harmony Jets Flight 185 killed all eight people on board, including the Libyan Army chief Mohammed al-Haddad in Ankara, Turkey.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2023
A series of massacres targeting Berom civilians unfold in the Plateau State in Nigeria, killing over 200 people and further injuring over 500. No group claims responsibility.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2015
A bomb explodes at Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport, killing one airport cleaner. The Kurdistan Freedom Hawks claim responsibility for the attack four days later.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2008
A coup d'état occurs in Guinea hours after the death of President Lansana Conté.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2007
An agreement is made for the Kingdom of Nepal to be abolished and the country to become a federal republic with the Prime Minister becoming head of state.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2005
An Antonov An-140, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 217 from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Aktau, Kazakhstan, heading across the Caspian Sea, crashes, killing 23 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2003
An explosion at the PetroChina Chuandongbei natural gas field in Kai County, Chongqing, China, kills at least 234.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2002
A U.S. MQ-1 Predator is shot down by an Iraqi MiG-25 in the first combat engagement between a drone and conventional aircraft.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1990
History of Slovenia: In a referendum, 88.5% of Slovenia's overall electorate vote for independence from Yugoslavia.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1986
Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, lands at Edwards Air Force Base in California becoming the first aircraft to fly non-stop around the world without aerial or ground refueling.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1984
After experiencing an engine fire, Aeroflot Flight 3519 attempts to make an emergency landing at Krasnoyarsk International Airport but crashes, killing 110 of the 111 people on board.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1979
Soviet–Afghan War: Soviet Union forces occupy Kabul, the Afghan capital.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1978
Alitalia Flight 4128 crashes into the Tyrrhenian Sea while on approach to Falcone Borsellino Airport in Palermo, Italy, killing 108.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1972
The Immaculate Reception is caught by Franco Harris to win the Pittsburgh Steelers their first ever playoff victory, after defeating the Oakland Raiders.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1972
A 6.5 magnitude earthquake strikes the Nicaraguan capital of Managua killing more than 10,000.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on December 23
- 968 — Emperor Zhenzong of Song, emperor of the Song dynasty (died 1022)
- 1173 — Louis I, duke of Bavaria (died 1231)
- 1513 — Thomas Smith, English scholar and diplomat (died 1577)
Died on December 23
- 423 — Ming Yuan Di, ruler of Northern Wei (born 392)
- 484 — Huneric, Vandal king
- 668 — Gabriel of Beth Qustan, bishop and saint (born 594)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for December 23
Quick answers
Who was born on December 23? Finn Wolfhard (2002), Victor Boniface (2000), Samuel Lino (1999).
Who died on December 23? Shyam Benegal (2024), Dési Bouterse (2024), Sophie Hediger (2024).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in December? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the December 23 historical article above.
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