1936

First issue of “LIFE” is published

Born on This Day

Boris Karloff

1887 - 1969

Actor and horror legend best known for playing the hulking monster in 1931's "Frankenstein" and its many sequels.

Arthur "Harpo" Marx

1888 - 1964

Comedian who donned a curly, reddish blond wig to play a silent, horn-blowing character in the Marx Brothers movies.

Robin Roberts

1960 -

TV personality who became ESPN's first Black anchorwoman. Now co-hosts ABC's "Good Morning America."

Boris KarloffCorbis via Getty Images
Arthur "Harpo" MarxGetty Images
Robin RobertsVariety via Getty Images
2002
NOV23

John Herrington becomes the first American Indian in space when he embarks on a mission to the International Space Station. To honor his Chickasaw heritage, he brings with him an eagle feather and a traditional wooden flute.

Timeline

Also on This Day in History

Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on November 23rd

1499

Flemish imposter executed in London

Perkin Warbeck, who invaded England in 1497 claiming to be the lost son of King Edward IV, is hanged for allegedly trying to escape from the Tower of London. Believed to be a native of Tournai in Belgium, Warbeck went to Ireland in 1491 and claimed he was Richard, duke of York, the second son […]

1859

Legendary outlaw Billy the Kid is born

The infamous Western outlaw known as “Billy the Kid” is mostly likely born in a poor Irish neighborhood on New York City’s East Side on November 23, 1859. (Much about his early life is unknown or unverified.) Before he was shot dead at age 21, Billy reputedly killed at least nine people in the American […]

1876

“Boss” Tweed delivered to authorities

William Magear “Boss” Tweed, leader of New York City’s corrupt Tammany Hall political organization during the 1860s and early 1870s, is delivered to authorities in New York City after his capture in Spain. Tweed became a powerful figure in Tammany Hall—New York City’s Democratic political machine—in the late 1850s. By the mid 1860s, he had […]

1940

Romania becomes an Axis “power”

On November 23, 1940, Romania signs the Tripartite Pact, officially allying itself with Germany, Italy and Japan. As early as 1937, Romania had come under control of a fascist government that bore great resemblance to that of Germany’s, including similar anti-Jewish laws. Romania’s king, Carol II, dissolved the government a year later because of a […]

1942

Soviets encircle Germans at Stalingrad

On November 23, 1942, a Soviet counteroffensive against the German armies pays off as the Red Army traps about a quarter-million German soldiers south of Kalach, on the Don River, within Stalingrad. As the Soviets’ circle tightened, German General Friedrich Paulus requested permission from Berlin to withdraw. The Battle of Stalingrad began in the summer […]

1:44m read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
1979

IRA member sentenced for Mountbatten’s assassination

Thomas McMahon, a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), is sentenced to life imprisonment for preparing and planting the bomb that killed Lord Louis Mountbatten and three others three months before. On August 27, 1979, Lord Mountbatten was killed when McMahon and other IRA terrorists detonated a 50-pound bomb hidden on his fishing vessel […]

1:58m read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
A+E Global Media
History
HISTORY EducationHISTORY Vault™HISTORY AppsHISTORY2™HISTORY en Español®Military HISTORY®Newsletter Sign UpShare Your OpinionsFAQ / Contact Us
Advertise with UsA+E Factual Studios™A+E Studios®Employment OpportunitiesAccessibility SupportTV Parental Guidelines
© 2026, A&E Television Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyCopyright PolicyCookie NoticeAd Choices