CalEvents:Jul/Jul 23
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for Jul 23
Date
Event
Significance
July 23, 1892
Birth of Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia
On this day, Haile Selassie, the last emperor of Ethiopia, was born. He became a symbol of Pan-Africanism and anti-colonial resistance. Selassie’s reign played a significant role in the fight against Italian occupation and the global recognition of Ethiopian sovereignty.
July 23, 1952
Egyptian Revolution begins, leading to independence from British rule
On this day, the Egyptian Revolution began with a military coup led by the Free Officers Movement, including future president Gamal Abdel Nasser. This revolution eventually led to the end of British influence in Egypt and inspired anti-colonial movements across Africa and the Middle East.
July 23, 1966
Nigerian military counter-coup
On this day, a counter-coup in Nigeria took place, leading to the deaths of key military leaders and eventually contributing to the Nigerian Civil War (Biafran War). The coup marked a period of political instability in post-colonial Nigeria, with long-lasting effects on the country's politics and unity.
July 23, 1970
Hank Aaron hits 3,000th career hit
On this day, African-American baseball player Hank Aaron recorded his 3,000th career hit, becoming one of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball history. Aaron’s achievements in baseball were milestones for African Americans in sports during an era of civil rights struggles.
July 23, 1977
Somalia invades Ethiopia’s Ogaden region
On this day, Somalia launched an invasion of the Ogaden region of Ethiopia, triggering the Ogaden War. The conflict was part of the broader geopolitical tensions in the Horn of Africa, and it also drew in Cold War powers who backed the opposing sides in the conflict.
July 23, 2000
Death of W.E.B. Du Bois
On this day, W.E.B. Du Bois, a leading African-American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist, passed away. Du Bois was a co-founder of the NAACP and a key figure in both African-American and Pan-African movements, leaving a lasting legacy on civil rights and global Black consciousness.
July 23, 2012
Death of Sally Ride, first African-American woman in space
On this day, Sally Ride, the first African-American woman astronaut, passed away. Her achievements in NASA helped break gender and racial barriers in space exploration, inspiring a new generation of women and African Americans to pursue careers in science and technology.