May 23
May 23 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 222 days remain until the year's end. It falls in spring (northern hemisphere) and under the astrological sign of Gemini.
External references
Curated jump-off points to the major almanacs, encyclopaedias and primary sources for this date.
Astronomy
On May 23 the Sun's declination is approximately +20.7°. At this latitude the Sun is north of the celestial equator, giving the Northern Hemisphere longer days than nights.
For specific rise/set times at your location, see the U.S. Naval Observatory, or the NASA APOD archive for any imagery published on a May 23.
Position in the year
Holidays & observances
No widely-observed holidays catalogued for this day in our base set. See the external almanacs above for region-specific observances.
Events
A selection of widely-documented historical events that took place on this date. Years marked BCE follow standard astronomical convention.
1430 — Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians at Compiègne and later sold to the English. ↗(596 years ago)more
Joan of Arc is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the coronation of Charles VII of France during the Hundred Years' War. Stating that she acted under divine guidance, she became a military leader who gained recognition as a savior of France.
1707 — Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who created modern biological taxonomy, was born. ↗(319 years ago)more
Carl Linnaeus, also known after ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné, was a Swedish biologist and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the modern system of naming organisms. He is known as the "father of modern taxonomy".
1934 — American outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were ambushed and killed in Louisiana. ↗(92 years ago)more
Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut "Champion" Barrow were American outlaws who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression, committing a series of criminal acts such as bank robberies, kidnappings and murders between 1932 and 1934.
1949 — The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) was established. ↗(77 years ago)more
The Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Notable births
- 1707 — Carl Linnaeus. ↗(319 years ago)
more
Carl Linnaeus, also known after ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné, was a Swedish biologist and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the modern system of naming organisms. He is known as the "father of modern taxonomy".
1933 — Joan Collins, English actress. ↗(93 years ago)more
Dame Joan Henrietta Collins is an English actress, author and columnist. She is the recipient of several accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a People's Choice Award, two Soap Opera Digest Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. In 1983, Collins was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Notable deaths
- 1934 — Bonnie and Clyde. ↗(92 years ago)
more
Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut "Champion" Barrow were American outlaws who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression, committing a series of criminal acts such as bank robberies, kidnappings and murders between 1932 and 1934.
Numerical & calendrical curiosities
| Day-of-year (144) | 2^4 × 3^2 · composite (no) |
|---|---|
| Days remaining (222) | 2 × 3 × 37 |
| Date code DDMMYYYY | 23052026 · no palindrome in next 200 years |
| Sun declination | +20.72° (Cooper approximation) |
| Distance from solstice | 28 days |