Also on This Day in History December 23
Discover what happened on December 23 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.
Births on This Day, December 23
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1732
Richard Arkwright
English industrialist and inventor who created the spinning frame, built Cromford Mill
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1938
Robert E. Kahn
American internet pioneer
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1937
Karol Joseph Bobko
American astronaut (STS 6, STS 51D, STS 51J)
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1822
Sebastian Wilhelm Valentin Bauer
German inventor and engineer who was a pioneer of submarines
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1867
Madam C. J. Walker
African American entrepreneur who became First American self-made female millionaire
Deaths on This Day, December 23
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2004
P. V. Narasimha Rao
Indian lawyer, politician, activist, 9th Prime Minister of India
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1973
Gerard Peter Kuiper
Dutch-American astronomer who discovered moons of Uranus, Neptune
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1907
Pierre Janssen
French astronomer who discovered helium
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1939
Anthony Fokker
Dutch aviation pioneer and aircraft manufacturer
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2013
Mikhail Kalashnikov
Russian inventor of the AK-47
1672
Giovanni Cassini Discovers Saturn's Moon Rhea
On December 23, 1672, Italian astronomer Giovanni Cassini discovered Rhea, the fifth major satellite of Saturn. This discovery added to Cassini's contributions to the field of astronomy and provided significant insights into the complex system of Saturn's moons.
1958
Tokyo Tower Opens to the Public
On December 23, 1958, Tokyo Tower, a prominent broadcasting and observation tower, opened to the public in Japan. Standing at 333 meters (1,092 feet), it became a symbol of Japan's post-war rebirth and technological advancement, offering panoramic views of Tokyo and serving as a major tourist attraction.
1970
North Tower of the World Trade Center Becomes Tallest Building in the World
On December 23, 1970, the North Tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, reached a height of 1,368 feet, making it the tallest building in the world at that time. This milestone in architectural achievement marked New York City's skyline and represented a significant advancement in skyscraper design and construction.
1954
First Human Kidney Transplant Performed
On December 23, 1954, Dr. Joseph E. Murray performed the first successful human kidney transplant at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. The groundbreaking procedure involved transplanting a kidney from one identical twin to another, marking a significant advancement in medical science and organ transplantation.