23 October in Indian and World History is celebrated, observed, and remembered for various reasons. 23 October is the birth anniversary of Kittur Chennamma, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Deven Verma, Ranjan Sodhi, Aravind Adiga, and Khandu Bhai Desai.
23 October is also observed as the death anniversary of Minoo Mumtaz, Bishan Singh Bedi, and Nellie Sengupta.
Birth Anniversary on 23 October
23 October in Indian history is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the following personalities:
Kittur Chennamma (23 October 1778 – 21 February 1829) was a valiant queen and freedom fighter from Karnataka. She led an armed rebellion against the British East India Company in 1824, becoming one of the first Indian rulers to fight colonialism.
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (23 October 1923 – 15 May 2010) served as the 11th Vice President of India and was a prominent leader in Indian politics. He was a three-time Chief Minister of Rajasthan and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2003 for his contributions to public affairs.
Deven Verma (23 October 1937 – 2 December 2014) was a celebrated Indian film and television actor, known for his comic roles. He worked with renowned Bollywood directors and won multiple Filmfare Best Comedian Awards.
Ranjan Sodhi (23 October 1979) is an Indian double trap shooter. He is the first Indian player to win two consecutive World Cup gold medals. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in the year 2009. He is the seventh Indian shooter to be awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. Ranjan Sodhi received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna for the year 2012-2013.
Aravind Adiga is a famous Indian writer, who writes his novels in English. He was awarded the ‘Man Booker Prize’ in the year 2008 for his first novel ‘The White Tiger’. His book is the story of a person who does not consider any path wrong to be successful. He was born on 23 October 1974 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Khandu Bhai Desai was a famous labor leader. Khandu Bhai Desai’s life was influenced by the thoughts of Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda. Khandu Bhai Desai was a prominent follower of Gandhiji. He was born on October 23, 1898.
Read More: 22 October in Indian and World History
Death Anniversary on 23 October
23 October in Indian history is observed as the death anniversary of the following personalities:
Minoo Mumtaz (26 April 1942 – 23 October 2021) was an Indian actress. She was the sister of the famous comedian of her time, Mahmood Ali. Meena Kumari, a veteran actress of Indian cinema, and Meenu Mumtaz had a very close friendship.
Bishan Singh Bedi (25 September 1946 – 23 October 2023): A legendary figure in Indian cricket, Bedi was known for his slow left-arm orthodox spin and was a part of the famous Indian spin quartet. He captained the Indian cricket team in 22 Test matches and was one of the most successful Indian bowlers, taking 266 wickets in Test cricket. Post-retirement, he served as a cricket coach and was outspoken about the integrity of the sport.
Nellie Sengupta (12 January 1886 – 23 October 1973)is known for her contribution to the ‘Indian Freedom Struggle’ and revolutionary activities. She was the wife of Yatindra Mohan Sengupta, who participated in Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Non-Cooperation Movement’.
Read More: 21 October in Indian and World History
Notable events on 23 October in Indian and World History
Some of the Notable events on 23 October in World History are mentioned below:
23 October 1764 – Mir Qasim was defeated in the battle of Buxar.
23 October 1910 – Blanche S. Scott becomes the first woman to fly an airplane solo in America.
23 October 1915 – About 25,000 women demonstrated in New York demanding the right to vote.
23 October 1929 – Shamsur Rahman a celebrated Bangladeshi poet, journalist, and human rights advocate who left an indelible mark on Bangladeshi literature and society was born.
23 October 1942 – The Allies defeated the German army in the Battle of El Alamein.
23 October 1943 – Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose established ‘Jhansi Ki Rani Brigade’ of Azad Hind Fauj in Singapore.
23 October 1946 – Trigveli (Norway) No. Appointed the first general secretary of the union.
The United Nations General Assembly meets for the first time in New York.
23 October 1958 – Nobel Prize for Literature to Russian poet and novelist Boris Pasternak.
23 October 1962 – Joginder Singh, an Indian soldier, and Nobel Prize Laureate, died.
23 October 1973 – US President Richard M. Nixon agreed to release the tapes in the Watergate case.
23 October 1978 – China and Japan formally ended four decades of hostilities.
23 October 1980 – Announcement of unification by Libya and Syria.
23 October 1989 – Hungary declared itself a republic.
23 October 1998 – Pakistan reiterated its demand to resolve the Kashmir problem through self-determination.
23 October 2000 – American Secretary of State Madeline Albright’s historic meeting with North Korean President Kim Jong Lee.
23 October 2001 – NASA’s Mars Odyssey spacecraft begins orbiting Mars.
23 October Historical Significance
October 23rd is a date marked by numerous significant historical events. On this day in 42 BC, the Battle of Philippi concluded with the defeat and suicide of Brutus, altering the course of Roman history. In 425, Valentinian III was elevated to Roman Emperor at just six years old, showcasing the often tumultuous nature of imperial succession. The Synodus Palmaris in 502 ended the schism of Antipope Laurentius, reaffirming the position of Pope Symmachus. The Battle of Grathe Heath in 1157 ended the civil war in Denmark, leading to the rise of Valdemar I and the establishment of a more unified Danish kingdom. Fast forward to 1642, the Battle of Edgehill marked the first major battle of the English Civil War, setting the stage for a conflict that would last over six years. Each of these events, among others, has contributed to shaping the political and cultural landscapes of their respective eras, reflecting the ever-evolving tapestry of human history.
Important Days of 23 October in History
Some of the Notable events on 23 October in History are mentioned below:
- Mole Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated among chemists and chemistry enthusiasts on October 23rd each year, from 6:02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. The date and time are derived from the Avogadro constant, which is approximately 6.02 x 10^23, representing the number of particles (atoms or molecules) in one mole of a substance. The concept of Mole Day serves as a way to foster interest and enthusiasm for chemistry and to promote the importance of this fundamental unit of measurement in the field.
- International Snow Leopard Day is celebrated on October 23rd each year to raise awareness about the conservation of snow leopards and their endangered status. This special day aims to highlight the importance of protecting this elusive and majestic big cat, which is native to the high mountain ranges of Central and South Asia.
- iPod Day: Commemorating the release date of the first iPod by Apple in 2001, this day celebrates the impact of the iPod on the music industry and technology.