1778day.year
American Revolutionary War: Baron von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to help train the Continental Army.
On February 23, 1778, Baron Friedrich von Steuben arrived at Valley Forge to train and instill discipline in George Washington’s Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
George Washington’s Continental Army endured a brutal winter encampment at Valley Forge marked by disease, starvation, and desertion. Recognizing the need for professional military expertise, Congress appointed Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a Prussian officer, as inspector general. Von Steuben arrived on February 23, 1778, bringing European drill techniques and organizational skills. He introduced a systematic training program that standardized marching, musket handling, and camp sanitation. His 'Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States' became the army’s official manual. Under his guidance, the troops emerged more disciplined, cohesive, and ready for battle. Von Steuben’s reforms were crucial in transforming the ragtag militia into a formidable fighting force that could stand up to British troops.
1778
American Revolutionary War
Baron von Steuben
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Continental Army
1836day.year
Texas Revolution: The Siege of the Alamo (prelude to the Battle of the Alamo) begins in San Antonio, Texas.
In 1836, Mexican forces under General Santa Anna began the Siege of the Alamo in San Antonio, a defining moment in the Texas Revolution.
After declaring independence from Mexico, Texian settlers fortified the Alamo mission in San Antonio as a defensive stronghold. On February 23, 1836, General Santa Anna and his Mexican army encircled the compound, cutting off supplies and reinforcements. Inside, fewer than 200 defenders, including William Travis, James Bowie, and Davy Crockett, prepared for a desperate stand. Despite calls to surrender, the defenders remained resolute, hoping to delay Santa Anna’s advance. The siege lasted 13 days under constant bombardment and harsh winter conditions. On March 6, Mexican troops stormed the Alamo, overwhelming the defenders with superior numbers. The fall of the Alamo, and the deaths of all its defenders, became a rallying point for Texian forces. The battle cry 'Remember the Alamo!' spurred the Texians to victory at San Jacinto and ultimately won Texas its independence.
1836
Texas Revolution
Siege of the Alamo
Battle of the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas
1847day.year
Mexican–American War: Battle of Buena Vista: In Mexico, American troops under future president General Zachary Taylor defeat Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna.
During the Mexican–American War, American forces under General Zachary Taylor achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Buena Vista, defeating General Santa Anna's troops. The battle cemented Taylor's reputation and shifted momentum in favor of the United States.
On February 23, 1847, General Zachary Taylor led roughly 5,000 U.S. troops at Buena Vista against a larger Mexican force commanded by Antonio López de Santa Anna. Despite being outnumbered, Taylor's strategic deployment of artillery and infantry repelled multiple Mexican attacks. The fierce combat resulted in heavy casualties on both sides and forced Santa Anna to withdraw. The victory boosted American morale and hindered Mexican resistance. Taylor's success at Buena Vista elevated his national profile and contributed to his later election as the 12th President. The battle remains a defining moment of the Mexican–American War.
1847
Mexican–American War
Battle of Buena Vista
Zachary Taylor
Antonio López de Santa Anna
1885day.year
Sino-French War: French Army gains an important victory in the Battle of Đồng Đăng in the Tonkin region of Vietnam.
French forces won a key victory at the Battle of Đồng Đăng on February 23, 1885, during the Sino-French War. The success opened the path for further advances into northern Vietnam.
General François de Négrier led French troops against Qing army defenders entrenched at Đồng Đăng in Tonkin. Despite rough terrain and stiff resistance, French artillery and disciplined infantry broke the Chinese lines. The capture of Đồng Đăng disrupted Chinese supply routes and weakened their strategic position. This victory boosted French morale and momentum in the colonial campaign. It accelerated France's consolidation of power in Indochina. The battle was a turning point that influenced the eventual establishment of French Indochina.
1885
Sino-French War
Battle of Đồng Đăng
Tonkin
1900day.year
Second Boer War: During the Battle of the Tugela Heights, the first British attempt to take Hart's Hill fails.
British forces failed in their first attempt to capture Hart's Hill during the Battle of the Tugela Heights on February 23, 1900. The setback highlighted the effectiveness of Boer defensive tactics.
As part of the campaign to relieve the besieged town of Ladysmith, British troops assaulted the Boer position at Hart's Hill. Well-fortified Boer riflemen repelled repeated attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on the assaulting columns. The failure forced British commanders to rethink their approach and supply lines. Despite the setback, British forces continued pressing the Tugela Heights offensive in the harsh South African winter. Weeks of intense combat followed before Ladysmith was finally relieved in early March. The engagement underscored the challenge of conventional armies facing skilled irregular fighters in difficult terrain.
1900
Second Boer War
Battle of the Tugela Heights
1942day.year
World War II: Japanese submarines fire artillery shells at the coastline near Santa Barbara, California.
Japanese submarines shell the California coast near Santa Barbara, marking one of the few direct attacks on mainland U.S. during World War II.
On February 23, 1942, Japanese submarines I-17 and I-23 surfaced off the coast of Santa Barbara and fired artillery shells onto the shore.
Though the bombardment caused minimal physical damage, it fueled public fear and heightened war anxiety on the West Coast.
Coastal defenses returned fire but failed to score a hit on the elusive submarines.
This rare attack underscored the reach of the Pacific war and influenced U.S. coastal surveillance measures.
Today, it remains a dramatic example of direct wartime engagement on American soil.
1942
World War II
Japanese
fire artillery shells
Santa Barbara, California
1943day.year
Greek Resistance: The United Panhellenic Organization of Youth is founded in Greece.
The United Panhellenic Organization of Youth (EPON) is established in 1943 as part of the Greek Resistance.
In 1943, under Axis occupation, the United Panhellenic Organization of Youth (EPON) was founded in Greece.
It served as the youth branch of the Greek Resistance, mobilizing students and young workers against occupying forces.
EPON organized educational, cultural, and resistance activities, including underground publications and sabotage.
It united diverse political groups, from communists to nationalists, under a common goal of liberation.
The organization played a key role in post-war Greek politics, influencing youth movements for decades.
Greek Resistance
United Panhellenic Organization of Youth
1945day.year
World War II: During the Battle of Iwo Jima, a group of United States Marines reach the top of Mount Suribachi on the island and are photographed raising the American flag.
A group of US Marines reaches the summit of Mount Suribachi and raises the American flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
On February 23, 1945, six United States Marines planted the American flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.
Photographed by Joe Rosenthal, the iconic image symbolized American determination in the Pacific Theater.
The battle, which began on February 19, was one of the bloodiest in World War II, with heavy casualties on both sides.
The photograph boosted morale on the home front and became a lasting emblem of sacrifice and victory.
It later inspired memorials, war bonds drives, and the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.
1945
Battle of Iwo Jima
United States Marines
Mount Suribachi
photographed raising the American flag
1945day.year
World War II: The 11th Airborne Division, with Filipino guerrillas, free all 2,147 captives of the Los Baños internment camp, in what General Colin Powell later would refer to as "the textbook airborne operation for all ages and all armies."
All 2,147 captives of Los Baños internment camp are liberated by US paratroopers and Filipino guerrillas.
In a daring rescue on February 23, 1945, the US 11th Airborne Division, supported by Filipino guerrillas, freed over 2,100 prisoners at Los Baños camp.
The operation involved a parachute drop, amphibious landings, and coordinated assaults behind enemy lines.
General Colin Powell later described it as 'the textbook airborne operation for all ages and all armies.'
Prisoners included men, women, and children held in harsh conditions by Japanese forces.
The mission showcased Allied cooperation and remains one of World War II’s most successful rescue operations.
11th Airborne Division
Filipino
Los Baños
1945day.year
World War II: The capital of the Philippines, Manila, is liberated by combined Filipino and American forces.
Philippine capital Manila is liberated by combined Filipino and American forces during World War II.
On February 23, 1945, Allied forces entered Manila, ending three years of brutal Japanese occupation.
Filipino guerrillas and US troops fought street by street in one of the war’s fiercest urban battles.
The liberation relieved thousands of civilians trapped amid Japanese counterattacks and atrocities.
Heavy combat led to widespread destruction of infrastructure and historic districts.
Manila’s liberation accelerated the recapture of the Philippines and weakened Japanese control in the Pacific.
Philippines
Manila
1945day.year
World War II: Capitulation of German garrison in Poznań. The city is liberated by Soviet and Polish forces.
Soviet and Polish forces accept the surrender of the German garrison in Poznań, liberating the city.
During the Vistula–Oder Offensive, Soviet and Polish armies surrounded Poznań and forced its German garrison to capitulate.
Intense urban combat ended on February 23, 1945, with Allied troops securing the city.
The battle inflicted heavy losses and destroyed much of Poznań’s historic architecture.
Liberation of Poznań opened the way for the advance toward Berlin.
The city’s fall symbolized growing cooperation between Soviet and Polish forces in the final months of World War II.
German
Poznań
liberated
Soviet
Polish
1945day.year
World War II: The German town of Pforzheim is annihilated in a raid by 379 British bombers.
The RAF raids the German town of Pforzheim, killing thousands and destroying the city center.
On the night of February 23, 1945, 379 British bombers carried out a firestorm raid on Pforzheim, Germany.
The attack aimed at crippling Pforzheim’s armament factories and rail links supporting the Nazi war effort.
Intense bombing created a devastating firestorm, killing an estimated 17,600 civilians.
Over 80% of the town’s buildings were destroyed, leaving survivors amid ruins and winter cold.
The raid remains one of the most destructive single missions carried out by the RAF during World War II.
Pforzheim
annihilated