Summary of the Day ✨ 23 April (23/04)
Tragedy struck multiple locations as Malaysia mourned 10 lives lost in a mid-air collision during naval celebrations, while Toronto experienced a deadly vehicle attack that killed 11 and Iraq witnessed violence claiming 111 lives. Meanwhile, in a more positive milestone, YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim published the platform’s first video, “Me at the zoo,” marking the beginning of a revolutionary era in digital media.
Historical Events 📜
- 2024: The 2024 Lumut mid-air collision in Malaysia kills 10 people while rehearsing for the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
- 2019: The April 2019 Hpakant jade mine collapse in Myanmar kills four miners and two rescuers, with at least 50 others missing and presumed dead.
- 2018: A vehicle-ramming attack kills 11 people and injures 15 in Toronto. A 25-year-old suspect, Alek Minassian, is arrested.
- 2013: At least 111 people are killed and 233 injured as violence breaks out in Hawija, Iraq.
- 2005: The first YouTube video, titled “Me at the zoo”, was published by co-founder Jawed Karim.
- 1999: NATO bombs the headquarters of Radio Television of Serbia, as part of their aerial campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
- 1993: Eritreans vote overwhelmingly for independence from Ethiopia in a United Nations-monitored referendum.
- 1993: Sri Lankan politician Lalith Athulathmudali is assassinated while addressing a gathering, approximately four weeks ahead of the Provincial Council elections for the Western Province.
- 1990: Namibia becomes the 160th member of the United Nations and the 50th member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
- 1985: Coca-Cola changes its formula and releases New Coke. The response is overwhelmingly negative, and the original formula is back on the market in less than three months.
- 1979: SAETA Flight 011 crashes in Pastaza Province, Ecuador, killing all 57 people on board. The wreckage was not discovered until 1984.
- 1979: Blair Peach, a British activist, was fatally injured after being knocked unconscious during an Anti-Nazi League demonstration against a National Front election meeting in Southall, London.
- 1971: Bangladesh Liberation War: The Pakistan Army and Razakars massacre approximately 3,000 Hindu emigrants in the Jathibhanga area of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
- 1968: Vietnam War: Student protesters at Columbia University in New York City take over administration buildings and shut down the university.
- 1967: Soviet space program: Soyuz 1 (Russian: Союз 1, Union 1) a crewed spaceflight carrying cosmonaut Colonel Vladimir Komarov is launched into orbit.
Famous Births 👶
- 2018: Prince Louis of Wales, British royal
- 2000: Chloe Kim, American snowboarder
- 2000: Lee Jeno, South Korean rapper, vocalist and dancer
- 1999: Son Chaeyoung, South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter
- 1999: Laufey, Icelandic singer-songwriter and musician
- 1997: Zach Apple, American swimmer
- 1996: Carolina Alves, Brazilian tennis player
- 1995: Gigi Hadid, American fashion model and television personality
- 1995: Jamie Hayter, English professional wrestler
- 1994: Patrick Olsen, Danish footballer
- 1994: Song Kang, South Korean actor
- 1991: Britt Baker, American professional wrestler
- 1991: Nathan Baker, English footballer
- 1991: Caleb Johnson, American singer-songwriter
- 1991: Kyle Juszczyk, American football player
Notable Deaths 🕊️
- 2024: Frank Field, British politician (born 1942)
- 2024: Helen Vendler, American Literary Critic (born 1933)
- 2022: Orrin Hatch, American politician, President pro tempore of the United States Senate (born 1934)
- 2021: Dan Kaminsky, American internet security researcher (born 1979)
- 2019: Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick, American soprano singer and presenter (born 1983)
- 2019: Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (born 1921)
- 2016: Inge King, German-born Australian sculptor (born 1915)
- 2016: Banharn Silpa-archa, Thai politician, Prime Minister from 1995 to 1996 (born 1932)
- 2015: Richard Corliss, American journalist and critic (born 1944)
- 2015: Ray Jackson, Australian activist (born 1941)
- 2015: Pierre Claude Nolin, Canadian lawyer and politician, Speaker of the Canadian Senate (born 1950)
- 2015: Jim Steffen, American football player (born 1936)
- 2015: Francis Tsai, American author and illustrator (born 1967)
- 2014: Benjamín Brea, Spanish-Venezuelan saxophonist, clarinet player, and conductor (born 1946)
- 2014: Michael Glawogger, Austrian director, screenwriter, and cinematographer (born 1959)
Holidays & Observances 🎉
- Christian feast day:
Adalbert of Prague - Christian feast day:
Felix, Fortunatus, and Achilleus - Christian feast day:
Saint George - Christian feast day:
Blessed Giles of Assisi - Christian feast day:
Gerard of Toul - Christian feast day:
Ibar of Beggerin (Meath) - Christian feast day:
Blessed Maria Gabriella Sagheddu - Christian feast day:
Toyohiko Kagawa (Episcopal and Lutheran Church) - Christian feast day:
Saint George’s Day and its related observances:
Saint George’s Day (Catalonia) - Christian feast day:
Saint George’s Day and its related observances:
Saint George’s Day (England) - Christian feast day:
Blessed Teresa Maria Manetti - Christian feast day:
April 23 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) - Canada Book Day (Canada)
- Castile and León Day (Castile and León)
- International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day