Today in History: October 23

October 23, 2024 Today In History No Comments

1915: The Women’s Suffrage March in New York City
On October 23, 1915, approximately 25,000 women took to Fifth Avenue in New York City to demand the right to vote. This monumental march was one of the largest public displays of support for women’s suffrage at the time, reflecting the growing strength of the movement. This action played a crucial role in the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. The march highlighted the resolve and determination of women across the United States to fight for equality, changing the course of American history by helping to reshape the democratic process.

Women march in a suffrage parade on Fifth Avenue in New York (Library of Congress via AP)

1942: The Battle of El Alamein
On this day during World War II, Britain launched a major offensive against Axis forces at El Alamein in Egypt. This decisive battle marked a turning point in the North African campaign. Led by British General Bernard Montgomery, the victory halted the advance of Nazi Germany’s Afrika Korps, commanded by Erwin Rommel, and set the stage for the eventual defeat of Axis forces in North Africa. The success at El Alamein boosted Allied morale and demonstrated the importance of controlling the Mediterranean and Suez Canal, key routes for oil and supplies.

German and Italian prisoners, taken in the first hours of the British offensive in Egypt, line up somewhere in the Alamein area (AP Photo-BPS)

1944: The Battle of Leyte Gulf Begins
October 23, 1944, saw the start of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history, involving over 200,000 naval personnel. This critical engagement, which took place during World War II, resulted in a decisive Allied victory against the Japanese Navy, significantly weakening Japan’s ability to continue the war. The battle also marked the first time Japan deployed kamikaze pilots, showcasing the desperation of their forces. The outcome of Leyte Gulf facilitated the liberation of the Philippines and paved the way for the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific.

Ships of the U.S. fleet lay a smoke-screen during an attack from Japanese warships in the Battle of Leyte Gulf (AP Photo)

1956: The Hungarian Revolution Erupts
A student-led uprising began in Hungary on October 23, 1956, as citizens protested against Soviet control and the oppressive Communist regime. Initially successful, the revolution inspired hopes of freedom and reform across Eastern Europe. However, Soviet forces quickly intervened, and by November, the rebellion was crushed. Though short-lived, the Hungarian Revolution was a significant episode in Cold War history, highlighting the tensions between the desire for democratic freedoms and the repressive force of the Soviet Union. It also set a precedent for later uprisings in Eastern Bloc countries.

A fallen statue of Soviet leader Josef Stalin in front of the National Theater in Budapest, Hungary (AP Photo-Arpad Hazafi, file)

1983: The Beirut Barracks Bombing
On October 23, 1983, a devastating suicide truck bombing at the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killed 241 American servicemen, mostly Marines, in one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. military personnel. A simultaneous attack on French paratroopers killed 58. The bombing, carried out by Hezbollah militants, underscored the rising threat of terrorism in the Middle East. This tragedy prompted the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops from Lebanon and marked a shift in U.S. foreign policy in the region, emphasizing the complexities of peacekeeping in volatile areas.

The U.S. Marine Corps flag flies at half-staff after a truck bomb destroyed the Marine barracks in Beirut (AP Photo - File) — The U.S. Marine Corps flag flies at half-staff after a truck bomb destroyed the Marine barracks in Beirut (AP Photo – File)

1987: The Rejection of Robert H. Bork’s Supreme Court Nomination
The U.S. Senate voted 58-42 on October 23, 1987, to reject Robert H. Bork’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Bork, a conservative legal scholar, faced intense opposition due to his views on civil rights, privacy, and the role of the judiciary. His rejection was a watershed moment in the politicization of the Supreme Court nomination process. The debate over Bork’s nomination reshaped how future justices would be vetted, marking the beginning of more ideologically charged confirmation hearings that have continued to this day.

Judge Robert H Bork returns to his Washington home after the Senate voted 58-42 to reject his nomination to the Supreme Court (AP Photo-J Scott Applewhite)

1995: The Conviction of Yolanda Saldivar for the Murder of Selena
On this day in 1995, a Houston jury convicted Yolanda Saldivar for the murder of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the beloved Tejano music star. Selena’s death at just 23 years old shocked the world and left a lasting legacy on both the Latin music industry and her fans. Known as the “Queen of Tejano,” Selena’s influence transcended borders, and her tragic murder brought attention to domestic violence and issues within the entertainment industry. The case also highlighted the challenges of fame, loyalty, and trust, which remain topics of public interest today.