May 23 in History
May 23 is the birthday of Alexandra Eala (2005) and the anniversary of the death of Morgan Spurlock (2024). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for May 23, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II, Mayan king was born in 635, while Urban I, pope of the Catholic Church died in 230.
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Famous people born on May 23
Famous people who died on May 23
2015
Aleksey Mozgovoy (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Pro-Russian rebel and warlord in Eastern Ukraine
2015
John Forbes Nash Jr. (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American mathematician and Nobel Laureate (1928–2015)
2014
Mikhail Alekseev (linguist) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Mikhail Egorovich Alekseev, Russian linguist and academic (born 1949)
2010
Simon Monjack (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
English screenwriter, film director and producer (1970–2010)
2008
Utah Phillips (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American labor organizer, folk singer, and poet (1935–2008)
2002
Bill Neidjie (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Last surviving speaker of the Gaagudju language (1913–2002)
What happened on May 23
- 2022
Anthony Albanese of the Australian Labor Party is sworn in as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia after winning the 2022 Australian federal election, ending 9 years of conservative rule.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2021
A cable car falls from a mountain near Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, killing 14 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2021
Ryanair Flight 4978 is forced to land by Belarusian authorities to detain dissident journalist Roman Protasevich.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2017
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declares martial law in Mindanao, following the Maute's attack in Marawi.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2016
Two suicide bombings, conducted by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, kill at least 45 potential army recruits in Aden, Yemen.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2016
Eight bombings are carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Jableh and Tartus, coastline cities in Syria. One hundred eighty-four people are killed and at least 200 people injured.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2015
At least 30 people are killed as a result of floods and tornadoes in Texas, Oklahoma, and northern Mexico.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2014
Seven people, including the perpetrator, are killed and another 14 injured in the Isla Vista attacks near the campus of University of California, Santa Barbara.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2013
A freeway bridge carrying Interstate 5 over the Skagit River collapses in Mount Vernon, Washington.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2008
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) awards Middle Rocks to Malaysia and Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh) to Singapore, ending a 29-year territorial dispute between the two countries.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2006
Alaskan stratovolcano Mount Cleveland erupts.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2002
The "55 parties" clause of the Kyoto Protocol is reached after its ratification by Iceland.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1998
The Good Friday Agreement is accepted in a referendum in Northern Ireland with roughly 75% voting yes.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1995
The first version of the Java programming language is released.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1992
Italy's most prominent anti-mafia judge Giovanni Falcone, his wife and three body guards are killed by the Corleonesi clan with a half-ton bomb near Capaci, Sicily. His friend and colleague Paolo Borsellino will be assassinated less than two months later, making 1992 a turning point in the history of Italian Mafia prosecutions.
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 May 23
- 635 — Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II, Mayan king (died 702)
- 675 — Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II, King of Mutharaiyar dynasty, Tamil Nadu, India
- 1052 — Philip I of France (died 1108)
Died on May 23
- 230 — Urban I, pope of the Catholic Church
- 922 — Li Sizhao, Chinese general and governor
- 962 — Guibert of Gembloux, Frankish abbot (born 892)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for May 23
Quick answers
Who was born on May 23? Alexandra Eala (2005), Brennan Johnson (2001), Felipe Drugovich (2000).
Who died on May 23? Morgan Spurlock (2024), Ron Hill (2021), Eric Carle (2021).
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Researching someone born in May? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the May 23 historical article above.
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