On This Day in History – June 23

by hpmom June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

1868 – Christopher Latham Sholes receives a patent for the “Type-Writer,” the first practical typewriter, featuring the QWERTY keyboard layout.
1919 – Estonian War of Independence: The Estonian army defeats German forces in the Battle of Cēsis.
1942 – German forces launch their summer offensive (Case Blue) against the Soviet Union during World War II.
1961 – The Antarctic Treaty comes into force, preserving the continent for peaceful and scientific purposes.
1972 – Title IX of the U.S. Education Amendments is signed into law, prohibiting sex-based discrimination in federally funded education.
1985 – A terrorist bomb destroys Air India Flight 182 off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people aboard.
2016 – The United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union in the Brexit referendum, triggering major political and economic shifts.

Alan Turing (1912–1954), British mathematician, logician, and father of modern computer science.
Wilma Rudolph (1940–1994), American sprinter and Olympic gold medalist, once known as the fastest woman in the world.
Clarence Thomas (born 1948), Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Frances McDormand (born 1957), American actress and multiple Academy Award winner.
Joss Whedon (born 1964), American screenwriter and director, known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Avengers.
Zinedine Zidane (born 1972), French soccer legend and World Cup champion.
Jason Mraz (born 1977), American singer-songwriter known for hits like I’m Yours.

Jonas Salk (1914–1995), American medical researcher who developed the first successful polio vaccine.
Betty Shabazz (1934–1997), American educator and civil rights advocate, widow of Malcolm X.
May Irwin (1862–1938), Canadian actress and vaudeville star.
Tim Russert (1950–2008), American journalist and longtime moderator of Meet the Press.

United Nations Public Service Day (International) – Recognizes the value and virtue of public service and its contribution to development.
Victory Day (Estonia) – Commemorates the 1919 victory in the Battle of Cēsis during the War of Independence.
National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism (Canada) – Honors the victims of terrorist attacks, particularly those of Air India Flight 182.
National Pink Day (U.S., unofficial) – A fun observance celebrating the color pink in all forms.

The QWERTY keyboard layout patented today in 1868 is still the most widely used keyboard design in the world.
Alan Turing, born on this day, helped crack the Nazi Enigma code and laid the foundations for artificial intelligence and modern computing.
Title IX dramatically increased opportunities for women in sports and education across the United States.
Wilma Rudolph overcame polio as a child to become a triple Olympic gold medalist in track and field.
The Brexit vote shocked global markets and led to the resignation of British Prime Minister David Cameron.