This Day In History, October 23rd.
Five Historical Events That Happened on October 23rd
4004 BC: The world was founded on the night of October 23, 4004 BC, according to Archbishop James Ussher's estimations, making this date noteworthy in the history of the biblical creation account.
Mark Antony and Octavian of the Roman Triumvirate defeat Brutus and Cassius' army in the Second Battle of Philippi in ancient Macedonia in 42 BC.
The War of Jenkins' Ear begins when England declares war on Spain over territorial conflicts in the Caribbean.
1956: The Hungarian Uprising against Soviet occupation and the communist government of Hungary begins.
A suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden vehicle into the US Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 US military members.
4004 BC: According to the calculations of Archbishop James Ussher, the world was created on the night of October 23, 4004 BC, making this date significant in the history of the biblical creation story.
Archbishop James Ussher was an Anglican Church archbishop from Ireland most known for his chronology, which he used to determine the age of the earth based on the Bible. His calculations show that the world was founded on the night before October 23, 4004 BC, making this date crucial in the history of the biblical creation account. This date is frequently used in debates over the age of the world and the reliability of biblical chronology. However, Ussher's calculations have been widely criticized and are no longer accepted by most scientists or scholars.
42 BC: Roman Triumvirate Mark Antony and Octavian win a decisive victory against Brutus's and Cassius's army at the Second Battle of Philippi, in ancient Macedonia.
The Second Battle of Philippi took place in 42 BC near the ancient Macedonian city of Philippi. The fight was fought between the troops of the Roman Triumvirs, Mark Antony and Octavian, and the army of Julius Caesar's killers, headed by Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus. The fight was a significant victory for Antony and Octavian, and it effectively ended Republican opposition to their authority. Following the battle, Brutus and Cassius committed suicide, paving the way for Antony and Octavian to divide the Roman world and establish their power.
1739: England declared war on Spain over territorial disputes in the Caribbean, leading to the War of Jenkins' Ear.
The War of Jenkins' Ear began in 1739, when England waged war on Spain over territory concerns in the Caribbean. The conflict was named after Robert Jenkins, a British sea captain who had his ear cut off by the Spanish coast guard in 1731, supposedly as punishment for smuggling. In England, the episode became a cause célèbre, fueling anti-Spanish prejudice. The war was fought mostly in the Caribbean and Georgia and lasted until 1748, when the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was signed, restoring the pre-war status quo. The fundamental causes that had led to the battle, however, were not entirely resolved, and tensions between England and Spain remained high for many years.
1956: Hungarian Uprising began against Soviet occupation and communist government of Hungary.
The 1956 Hungarian Uprising was a statewide insurrection against Hungary's Soviet-backed government, which had been founded following World War II. On October 23, 1956, a group of students in Budapest organized a protest march calling for political changes and the withdrawal of Soviet soldiers from Hungary. Protests swiftly spread across the country, and by the end of the month, the insurgents had taken control of the majority of Hungary. The Soviet Union, on the other hand, reacted with military action, and on November 4, Soviet tanks and troops invaded Hungary, smashing the revolt and returning the communist government to power. Thousands of Hungarians were killed in the conflict, and many more were imprisoned. The Hungarian Uprising was a watershed moment in the Cold War and a symbol of opposition to Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe.
1983: A suicide bomber drove a truck packed with explosives into the US Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 US service members.
A suicide bomber drove a vehicle laden with explosives into the US Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 1983, killing 241 US military men. A terrorist organization associated with Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant force, carried out the attack. The bombing was one of the bloodiest assaults against US personnel in the Middle East, and it dealt a significant blow to US strategy in the region. Following the attack, the United States withdrew its forces from Lebanon in 1984. The tragedy also resulted in increased US backing for Israel and a more robust strategy to tackling Middle Eastern terrorism.