Anniversaries and commemorations come and go daily. Most of us, even the best historians, miss most occasions. If we think of history as events then we are faced with a continually showering in the grains of sand. Nevertheless, we do pick out certain patterns in the remembrance of historical dates. The blog here reminds us of some dates where the local, state, national, and global perspectives entwine.
On 23, Thursday May 1844, Persian Prophet The Báb privately announces his revelation to Mullá Husayn, just after sunset, founding the Bábí faith (later evolving into the Bahá’í Faith as the Báb intended) in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran). Contemporaneously, on this day in nearby Tehran, was the birth of `Abdu’l-Bahá; the eldest Son of Bahá’u’lláh, Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, the inception of which, the Báb’s proclaimed His own mission was to herald. `Abdu’l-Bahá Himself was later proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh to be His own successor, thus being the third “central figure” of the Bahá’í Faith.
On 23, Thursday May 1844, `Abdu’l-Bahá, Persian Bahá’í religious leader, born (d. 1921)
On 23, Sunday May 1869, George Beeby, judge, politician and author, born (died 1942)
On 23, Friday May 1919, The University of California opens its second campus in Los Angeles. Initially called Southern Branch of the University of California (SBUC), it is eventually renamed the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
On 23, Friday May 1919, Betty Garrett, American actress and dancer, born (d. 2011)
On 23, Friday May 1919, Avraham Drori, Polish-born Israeli politician, born (d. 1964)
On 23, Tuesday May 1944, John Newcombe, tennis player, born.
On 23, Tuesday May 1944, John Newcombe, Australian tennis player, born
On 23, Tuesday May 1944, Avraham Oz, Israeli theater professor, translator, and political activist, born
On 23, Tuesday May 1944, Thomas Curtis, American Olympic athlete, died (b. 1873)
On 23, Saturday May 1959, Bob Mortimer, English comedian, born
On 23, Friday May 1969, Jimmy McHugh, American composer, died (b. 1894)
On 23, Wednesday May 1979, Rasual Butler American basketball player, born (d. 2018), born
On 23, Tuesday May 1989, Victorian Liberal Leader Jeff Kennett is replaced by Alan Brown in the fifth challenge to his leadership since 1982.
On 23, Tuesday May 1989, Patrick Hougaard, Danish motorcycle speedway rider, born
On 23, Tuesday May 1989, Ezequiel Schelotto, Italian football player, born
On 23, Tuesday May 1989, Jeffery Taylor, Swedish basketball player, born
On 23, Monday May 1994, John Hewson is replaced as Leader of the Opposition by Alexander Downer 43:36. Wooldridge gives way to Peter Costello as deputy.
On 23, Monday May 1994, Queensland stage heart-stopping fightback in the last five minutes of the 1994 State of Origin series’ 1st game. After coming from 12–4 down, winger Mark Coyne scores match-winner in final minute.
On 23, Sunday May 1999, Owen Hart, Canadian professional wrestler, died (b. 1965)
On 23, Sunday May 1999, John T. Hayward, American admiral, died (b. 1908)
On 23, Saturday May 2009, Roh Moo-hyun, 16th President of South Korea, died (b. 1946)
On 23, Friday May 2014, Queensland MP Dr Chris Davis quits as Member for Stafford after he could not support the Newman government’s move that only political donations of more than $12,400 would have to be declared to the Electoral Commission. Dr Davis was sacked Assistant Health Minister a week earlier after he spoke out against doctor contracts and changes to the Crime and Misconduct Commission.
Other On This Day days in history
Neville Buch
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