What Happened On
Patent and 1873 model
Patent and 1873 model
First Practical Typewriter
June 23, 1868
First practical typewriter is patented by Christopher Latham Sholes and Samuel W. Soule. It was only able to type capital letters and the numbers 2 through 9. It was improved upon until a practical version was built in 1873.
Cannon explodes on USS President
Cannon explodes on USS President
War of 1812 - First Shots Fired
June 23, 1812
The USS President fires on the HMS Belvidera. The U.S. had declared war on Great Britain (War of 1812) five days earlier. On the USS President's fourth cannon shot, the gun exploded allowing the HMS Belvidera to escape.
FBI Ten Most Wanted
June 23, 1951
Thomas Holden, who was the first person on the infamous FBI Ten Most Wanted list when it started in 1950, is arrested. He had killed his wife and her two brothers.
Holden and Francis Keating robbed payroll deliveries, trains, and banks, becoming one of the most notorious holdup teams by the end of the 1920s. They were captured and convicted in 1928 and each sentenced to 25 years in prison.
After two years, they escaped Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary and went on to form a new gang, committing a series of daylight robberies during 1930 and 1931. They were recaptured and returned to Leavenworth, where Holden was paroled in 1947. Two and a half years later, Holden killed his wife and two of her brothers during a drunken family argument.
Frederick Douglass for President
June 23, 1888
Frederick Douglass becomes the first African-American to have his name put forward for a presidential nomination in a major party's roll call vote, receiving one vote from the Kentucky Delegation at the Republican Convention in Chicago, although they ultimately nominated Benjamin Harrison.
While this was his first nominating vote by a major party, this was the second time Douglass had been nominated for U.S. president. The first was in 1848 at the National Liberty Party Convention.
First Baby Hospital
June 23, 1887
The first baby hospital exclusively for infants is chartered, Babies Hospital of the City of New York.
Civil War
June 23, 1865
Last formal surrender of Confederate troops.
The U.S. Secret Service
June 23, 1860
The U.S. Secret Service is established by the U.S. Congress.
The Government Printing Office
June 23, 1860
The Government Printing Office is established.
Quakers
June 23, 1683
English Quaker William Penn signs a treaty purchasing land from the Pennsylvania Indians.
Birthdays
Overcame Crippling Polio to Become the Fastest Woman in the World
Wilma Rudolph
Born June 23, 1940 d. 1994
African-American Hall of Fame sprinter. She contracted polio at the age of five, losing strength in left leg and foot and had to wear a leg brace until the age of 12. The 20th of her father's 22 children, her family members gave her daily leg massages to restore the strength in her legs. She competed in the 1956 Olympics, where her 4x100 meter relay team won the bronze medal, with a time matching the previous world record of 44.9 seconds.
In the 1960 Olympics, she won gold medals in the 100 and 200-meter dash and the 4×100-meter relay, making her the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympiad. She also set a new Olympic record of 23.2 seconds for the 200-meter dash, earning her the title, "Fastest Woman in the World."
She died at age 54 after being diagnosed with brain and throat cancer.
One of the Lesser-Known Beatles
Stuart Sutcliffe
Born June 23, 1940 d. 1962
Scottish painter, musician. Bass guitarist for the Beatles before they became famous (May 1960 - August 1961), but left the band to pursue his art career. He is partially credited with coming up with the name of the group, when he jokingly suggested "Beatals" as a play on Buddy Holly's Crickets. Up to then they were known as "The Quarrymen", but the name was changed to "The Silver Beetles", and later "The Beatles".
He died at the age of 21 of a cerebral hemorrhage. Although, the cause of Sutcliffe's aneurysm is unknown, it may have been the result of an earlier head injury he received in a fight after a Beatles' performance in January 1961. Fellow band members John Lennon and Pete Best went to Sutcliffe's aid, fighting off his attackers. Sutcliffe sustained a fractured skull and Lennon's little finger was broken. Sutcliffe suffered blinding headaches afterwards, but refused medical attention.
Alan Mathison Turing
Born June 23, 1912 d. 1954
British mathematician, computer expert, invented the Turing Test (1937), which is used to determine if a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behavior is equivalent to that of a human. He also cracked Germany's "unbreakable" war code Enigma.
In 1952 he was prosecuted for homosexuality by the British government and forced to undergo chemical castration in order to avoid prison. He died from eating a cyanide-laced apple. Turing was given a royal pardon in 2013.
Empress Joséphine
Born June 23, 1763 d. 1814
French Empress, first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Their marriage was dissolved (1809) when she failed to produce an heir. Her first husband Alexandre de Beauharnais was guillotined during the Reign of Terror, and she was imprisoned until five days after his execution.
Clarence Thomas
Born June 23, 1948
American judge, U.S. Supreme Court Justice (1991‑). During his Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Thomas was accused of sexually harassing Anita Hill. He denied the allegations.
Ted Shackelford
Born June 23, 1946
American actor. TV: Dallas (Gary Ewing) and Knots Landing (Gary Ewing).
Richard David Bach
Born June 23, 1936
American author. Writings: Jonathan Livingston Seagull (1970), which in five years sold over 7,000,000 copies in the U.S. It had been turned down by 18 publishers.
June Carter Cash
Born June 23, 1929 d. 2003
American Grammy-winning singer, wife of Johnny Cash. TV: Grand Ole Opry.
All That Jazz
Bob Fosse (Robert Louis Fosse)
Born June 23, 1927 d. 1987
American dancer, choreographer, director. He was the first director to win an Oscar (Cabaret, 1972), a Tony (Pajama Game, 1954), and an Emmy (Liza with a Z, 1973). He also directed his semi-autobiographical All That Jazz (1979).
Father of Advertising
David Ogilvy
Born June 23, 1911 d. 1999
English advertising genius, called "The Father of Advertising." His slogan, "Only Dove is one-quarter moisturizing cream" helped Dove become the top-selling soap in the U.S. Writings: Confessions of an Advertising Man.
Edward VIII (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David)
Born June 23, 1894 d. 1972
King of England (1936). He gave up the Throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson, after which he became Duke of Windsor.
Alfred Charles Kinsey
Born June 23, 1894 d. 1956
American zoologist. His book Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) shocked the public by pointing out how many "perverted acts" were common place in American homes.
Édouard Michelin
Born June 23, 1859 d. 1940
French tire maker. He and his brother founded the Michelin Tire Co. (1888) and invented a removable rubber pneumatic tire for bicycles (1889).
Deaths
Peter Falk
Died June 23, 2011 b. 1927
American Emmy-winning actor. TV: Columbo (1971-2003, title role). Film: The Princess Bride (1987, Grandpa the narrator).
Just one more thing… Falk wore an artificial eye after his right eye was surgically removed at the age of three due to a retinoblastoma. In a 1997 interview, Falk said: "I remember once in high school the umpire called me out at third base when I was sure I was safe. I got so mad I took out my glass eye, handed it to him and said, 'Try this.' I got such a laugh you wouldn't believe."
Photo Credit: Christa Chapman
Photo Credit: Christa Chapman
Ed McMahon (Edward Leo Peter McMahon, Jr.)
Died June 23, 2009 b. 1923
American TV personality, fighter pilot. TV: Johnny Carson's sidekick (1962-92), and a circus clown for the 1950s show Big Top.
McMahon trained to be a U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot during World War II and served as a flight instructor before being ordered to the Pacific fleet in 1945. However, his orders were canceled when Japan surrendered. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, where he flew 85 combat missions, earning six Air Medals.
Aaron Spelling
Died June 23, 2006 b. 1923
American TV and film producer. TV: The Mod Squad (1968-73), Charlie's Angels (1976-81), The Love Boat (1977–86), Fantasy Island (1977-84), Dynasty (1981-89), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000, which starred his daughter Tori), and Melrose Place (1992–99).
Salk administering the vaccine
Salk administering the vaccine
Jonas Edward Salk
Died June 23, 1995 b. 1914
American physician, scientist. He discovered a polio vaccine in 1953, saving thousands from the crippling disease. In 1952 alone, polio paralyzed 21,000 people and killed 3,100.
Salk chose to not patent the vaccine in order to maximize its distribution. When asked who owned the patent, Salk replied, "Well, the people I would say. There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?" It is estimated the patent would have been worth billions had it been patented.
First African-American to Win an Individual Olympic Gold Medal
DeHart Hubbard
Died June 23, 1976 b. 1903
American Hall of Fame athlete. DeHart Hubbard was the first black to win an individual Olympic gold medal (1924, running long jump). In 1925, he set a long jump world record of 25 feet 10 3⁄4 inches (7.89 m). Hubbard served as president of the National Bowling Association during the 1950s and founded a professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Tigers of the Negro American League.
The Colosseum
The Colosseum
Vespasian
Died June 23, A.D. 79 b. A.D. 9
Roman Emperor (69-79 AD). He was responsible for the building of the Roman Colosseum (aka Flavian Amphitheatre).
First Female Jockey and the First Woman to Play Professional Basketball
Penny Ann Early
Died June 23, 2023 b. 1943
American athlete. She was the first female jockey licensed to ride parimutuel horse races (1968) and the first woman to play in a professional basketball league (1968, ABA). After earning her jockey's license male jockeys refused to race with her in an attempt to block her from competing. In response, the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association signed her to their team. She played briefly for one play. At 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) and 112 pounds (50.8 kg), she was also the smallest player in a male dominated professional basketball league.
Note: She is the smallest, but tied for the shortest with Muggsy Bogues of the NBA who was also 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m), but weighed 135 lb (61 kg) making him bigger.
Dick Van Patten
Died June 23, 2015 b. 1928
American actor. TV: Eight is Enough (Tom the father). He is the founder of Natural Balance Pet Foods (1989).
Richard Matheson
Died June 23, 2013 b. 1926
American author. Writings: I Am Legend (1954), which was made into the movies The Last Man on Earth (1964), The Omega Man (1971), I Am Legend (2007), and was the inspiration for Night of the Living Dead (1968). Matheson also wrote The Shrinking Man (1956) which was filmed as The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957). Film: Trilogy of Terror (1975). TV: He wrote 16 episodes for The Twilight Zone and the Star Trek episode The Enemy Within (1966).
Shana Alexander
Died June 23, 2005 b. 1925
American journalist, author of The Feminine Eye (1970). She represented the liberal view on TV's "Point/Counterpoint" segment of 60 Minutes.
Tarzan's Jane
Maureen O'Sullivan
Died June 23, 1998 b. 1911
Irish-American actress. Film: Jane Porter of the Tarzan movies with Johnny Weissmuller between 1932 and 1942. She was also featured with William Powell and Myrna Loy in The Thin Man (1934).
William S. Hart
Died June 23, 1946 b. 1864
American silent Western actor. Known as "Two-Gun Bill."
Father of the Submarine
Simon Lake
Died June 23, 1945 b. 1866
American engineer, father of the modern submarine. He built his first sub in 1894.
Henry Hudson
Died June 23, 1611 b. 1575
English explorer. He was the first white man to go up the Hudson River (1609).