Fact 1: The Day of Unusual Significance
April 23 holds an unusual significance; two of the most prominent English authors, William Shakespeare and William Wordsworth, both died on this date. Wordsworth passed away on April 23, 1850, while Shakespeare met his mysterious end on this very date in 1616. Despite the centuries that separate them, their prolific contributions to literature link them together on this fateful day.
Fact 2: St. George's Day
St. George's Day is celebrated on April 23, devoted to England's Patron Saint, St. George. While many stories circulate St. George, the most famous involves him slaying a dragon to save a princess. This day is a significant celebration, particularly within Christian communities in various countries.
Fact 3: The World Book and Copyright Day
April 23 is also recognized as the World Book and Copyright Day by UNESCO. This date was chosen because it marks the death anniversary of several prominent authors, including Shakespeare. The purpose of this day is to promote reading, publishing, and copyright.
Fact 4: Turkey's National Sovereignty and Children's Day
Interestingly, April 23 is a public holiday in Turkey known as National Sovereignty and Children's Day. Established in 1920, it commemorates the inauguration of the Turkish Parliament following the War of Independence. It is also a day devoted to the children of Turkey, symbolizing the country's commitment to nurturing their younger generation.
Fact 5: Named After Aphrodite
The month of April, where the 23rd sits, supposedly takes its name from the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite (also known as Venus by the Romans). April, derived from 'Aperire,' a Latin word, means 'to open' symbolically considering it's the month where spring truly kicks in, opening the doors to bloom and growth.
Fact 6: A Special Day for Movie Buffs
April 23, 2005, marked a milestone in visuo-digital artistry. It was the day when the first-ever video, "Me at the zoo," was uploaded to YouTube, changing the way we consume digital content ever since.
Fact 7: Start of the Hubble Journey
In the realm of space exploration, April 23 is a significant date. It was on this very date in 1990 when the Hubble Space Telescope was launched. This marked the beginning of a new era of deep space observation and understanding.
Fact 8: Momentous Leap for Radio Broadcasting
On April 23, 1921, Westinghouse launched the first-ever public radio broadcasting station, KDKA, in Pittsburgh, USA. It was a significant leap forward in mass communication and influenced how information was disseminated across the globe.
Fact 9: Day of Malaria Prevention
April 23 also marks the World Malaria Day, as established by the World Health Organization. The day aims to highlight the global efforts to control Malaria spread and highlights the need for better preventive measures in Malaria-prone areas.
Fact 10: Earth Day's Follow-up
April 23 happens to be the day right after Earth Day (April 22), making it an unofficial extension of the global movement to protect the planet's environment and promote sustainable living.
Fact 11: Birth of Roy Orbison
April 23 is also the birth date of the legendary singer-songwriter Roy Orbison. Known for his unique operatic vocal style and influential songs such as 'Oh, Pretty Woman,' Orbison was born on this day in 1936.
Fact 12: Emergence of New Coke
In the world of beverages, April 23, 1985, is notorious as the day Coca Cola announced the "New Coke," a reformulated version of its classic drink. This move stirred controversy among the lovers of the original recipe, making it a point of business study on how not to fix something that's not broken.
Fact 13: Largest PayDay of Professional Boxing
April 23, 2005, witnessed the most gigantic payday of professional boxing when James Toney earned an unprecedented $2.5million guarantee for his fight against John Ruiz.
Fact 14: A Day Full of Birthdays
For British monarchy fans, April 23 is a day of celebration as it's the birthday of Prince Louis, the youngest son of Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton. He shares his birthday with William Shakespeare, making the day a unique English celebration.
Fact 15: Set an Alarm - It's Lost Day
For fans of "Lost" series, April 23 has a fun association. It is considered "Lost Day," as the time and date can be set to 4/23 at 16:23, aligning perfectly with the numbers from the TV show (4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42).
Fact 16: The 'Hug a Plumber Day'
Uniquely, April 23 also marks the 'National Hug a Plumber Day' in the USA. The day recognises the essential role plumbers play in society, keeping our water-related systems working smoothly.
Fact 17: A Bridge to Freedom
On April 23, 1945, a group of American soldiers paratroopered behind enemy lines in Germany to establish a key bridgehead across the Elbe. Known as Operation Varsity, it was the war's most significant successful airborne operation and a stride toward winning World War II.
Fact 18: Mark Twain's Lesser-Known Predicament
Famed American author Mark Twain was found to be bankrupt on April 23, 1894, due to poor investments and unpaid debts. However, he later turned his financial situation around by embarking on a worldwide lecture tour.
Fact 19: Record-Holding Extravaganza
For car enthusiasts, the 'Ferrari 250 GTO' model driven by Stirling Moss won the Tour de France on April 23, 1963. This car continues to hold the record for the most expensive car ever, sold at private auction.
Fact 20: Mainstream Acceptance of the Internet
Lastly, in the realm of information technology, April 23 holds significance as the day when the 'Mosaic' web browser was released in 1993. Mosaic's user-friendly nature hugely contributed to the widespread popularity and mainstream acceptance of the internet.