The powerful Japanese feudal lord Oda Nobunaga was born on June 23, 1534. He attempted to unify
Japan during the late Sengoku period, and successfully gained control over most of Honshu
Nobunaga's rule was noted for innovative military tactics, fostering free trade, reform of Japan's civil administration, and encouraging the start of the Momoyama historical art period, but also the brutal suppression of opponents.
Joséphine de Beauharnais was born in Les Trois-Îlets, Martinique on June 23, 1763. Her father was a manager of a plantation there having retired from French naval service. The willowy Joséphine was among the gayest of French women in her era. She was good-natured, with refined manners, grace and charm.
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| Baron François Gérard - Joséphine in coronation costume - Google Art Project |
Joséphine was the first wife of Napoleon and the first Empress of the French after he proclaimed himself Emperor.
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom was born on June 23, 1894, White Lodge, Richmond Park, on the outskirts of London as the first son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, (later King George V and Queen Mary). He was christened Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David, the last four names being patron saints of the British Isles countries. He was known to his family and close friends as David.
Just 11 months after becoming king, Edward VIII abdicated because of the furor over his liaison with the American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
For more June 23 anniversaries, including The Battle of Bannockburn, the longest ever professional baseball game and the first man to successfully walk across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope, check out
OnThatDay.