On this day: February 23
February 23 has been a significant day in history with various events taking place throughout the years. Let’s take a look back at some of the notable moments that happened on this day.
1945: World War II
On February 23, 1945, during World War II, the United States Marines raised the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima. This iconic moment was captured in a photograph by Joe Rosenthal and became one of the most famous images of the war.
1836: The Battle of the Alamo
On February 23, 1836, the Battle of the Alamo began in San Antonio, Texas. The Mexican army, led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, launched an assault on the Alamo Mission where a group of Texan rebels were holed up. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Texans fought bravely but were ultimately defeated after a 13-day siege.
1954: First mass vaccination
On February 23, 1954, the first mass vaccination of children against polio took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The vaccine, developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, was a major breakthrough in the fight against the disease that had plagued millions of people around the world.
1991: Gulf War ends
On February 23, 1991, the Gulf War officially ended with the liberation of Kuwait. The war, which began in August 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait, came to a close after a coalition of international forces led by the United States launched a massive air and ground offensive to drive Iraqi forces out of the country.
1940: Walt Disney’s Pinocchio
On February 23, 1940, Walt Disney’s animated film “Pinocchio” premiered in New York City. The film, based on the Italian children’s novel “The Adventures of Pinocchio” by Carlo Collodi, became a classic and is still beloved by audiences of all ages today.
1980: Ice hockey miracle
On February 23, 1980, the “Miracle on Ice” took place at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The United States men’s ice hockey team, made up of amateur and college players, defeated the heavily favored Soviet Union team in a stunning upset. The victory became one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history.
These are just a few of the many significant events that have occurred on February 23 throughout history. It is a day that has seen triumphs, tragedies, and moments that have shaped the world we live in today.
