Osun Defender History Corner: December 23 In Focus
Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.
December 23, 962
Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city of Aleppo, recapturing it from the Arabs.
December 23, 1688
King James II of England flees to France during the Glorious Revolution.
December 23, 1783
George Washington resigns as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland.
December 23, 1913
The Federal Reserve System is created as the central banking system of the United States.
December 23, 1920
The Government of Ireland Act 1920 is passed, leading to the partition of Ireland into Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland.
December 23, 1933
The first state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, repealing Prohibition, is Utah.
December 23, 1947
The transistor is first demonstrated at Bell Laboratories.
December 23, 1972
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, causing widespread damage and killing thousands.
December 23, 1986
Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, becomes the first aircraft to fly non-stop around the world without refueling.
December 23, 1990
Lech Wałęsa is elected President of Poland.
December 23, 2002
A U.S. MQ-1 Predator drone crashes in the Indian Ocean, the first U.S. drone loss in combat.
December 23, 2010
The repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the United States military, is signed into law by President Barack Obama.
December 23, 2011
The United States formally declares an end to the Iraq War.
December 23, 2013
A series of bombings in the Russian city of Volgograd kill at least 32 people and injure many others.
December 23, 2015
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir becomes the first sitting president to be wanted by the International Criminal Court for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
December 23, 2016
The United Nations Security Council passes a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlement building on occupied Palestinian territory.
December 23, 2017
The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly rejects the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
December 23, 2018
The U.S. government enters a partial shutdown after Congress and the President fail to agree on a budget.
December 23, 2019
The United States Space Force is established as the sixth branch of the U.S. military.
December 23, 2020
The United Kingdom and the European Union reach a post-Brexit trade deal, just days before the transition period was set to end.
Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on December 23. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
