1839day.year
A massive earthquake destroys the former capital Inwa of the Konbaung dynasty, present-day Myanmar.
A powerful earthquake in 1839 devastated Inwa, the former capital of Burma’s Konbaung dynasty.
On March 23, 1839, a severe earthquake struck the region around Inwa (Ava), causing extensive damage to palaces, pagodas, and residential areas. Inwa had served as the capital of Burma’s Konbaung dynasty for over a century, boasting significant architectural and cultural landmarks. The quake collapsed walls, toppled spires, and led to widespread casualties and displacement of residents. In the quake’s aftermath, the Burmese court relocated the capital permanently to Amarapura. The destruction of Inwa underscored the vulnerability of historical sites to natural disasters and marked the end of an era in Myanmar’s royal history.
1839
massive earthquake
Inwa
Konbaung dynasty
Myanmar
1913day.year
A tornado outbreak kills more than 240 people in the central United States, while an ongoing flood in the Ohio River watershed was killing 650 people.
A severe tornado outbreak swept the central United States, killing over 240 people, while devastating floods in the Ohio River watershed claimed another 650 lives.
In late March 1913, a powerful tornado outbreak tore through states including Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois, producing multiple deadly twisters. On March 23, the worst day of the outbreak, more than 240 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured. Simultaneously, heavy rains overwhelmed the Ohio River basin, causing catastrophic flooding that submerged towns and farmland. Floodwaters breached levees and inundated communities along the Ohio River, resulting in approximately 650 fatalities. The scale of destruction prompted one of the first large-scale federal disaster relief efforts in the United States. Rescue teams and local volunteers struggled to reach isolated survivors amid washed-out roads and bridges. The 1913 storms and floods spurred improvements in weather forecasting and flood control infrastructure in the years that followed.
1913
tornado outbreak
flood
1994day.year
A United States Air Force (USAF) F-16 aircraft collides with a USAF C-130 at Pope Air Force Base and then crashes, killing 24 United States Army soldiers on the ground alongside destroying a Starlifter by accident. This later became known as the Green Ramp disaster.
On March 23, 1994, a midair collision at Pope Air Force Base triggered the Green Ramp disaster, killing 24 U.S. Army soldiers on the ground.
During a routine training exercise on March 23, 1994, a USAF F-16 collided with a C-130 transport plane over Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. The resulting crash sent debris into a crowded staging area, killing 24 U.S. Army paratroopers and injuring dozens more. The disaster, later known as the Green Ramp disaster, devastated the military community and prompted a thorough investigation. Findings led to improvements in air traffic control procedures and safety protocols at joint air-ground operations. Memorials were established to honor the fallen soldiers and remind service members of the risks inherent in training missions.
F-16
C-130
Pope Air Force Base
Starlifter
Green Ramp disaster
1994day.year
Aeroflot Flight 593 crashed into the Kuznetsk Alatau mountain, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia, killing 75.
On March 23, 1994, Aeroflot Flight 593 crashed into a Siberian mountainside, claiming 75 lives.
Aeroflot Flight 593 was en route from Moscow to Hong Kong when it crashed into the Kuznetsk Alatau mountain range in Siberia on March 23, 1994. Investigation revealed the pilot's young son had inadvertently disengaged the autopilot controls, leading to loss of control. The aircraft descended into a steep dive and impacted forested terrain near Mezhdurechensk, killing all 75 people aboard. The tragedy prompted Aeroflot to ban non-essential personnel from flight decks and reinforce cockpit procedures. It remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Russian history, highlighting the critical importance of cockpit discipline. Subsequent safety reforms helped avert similar accidents in the future.
Aeroflot Flight 593
Kemerovo Oblast
Russia
2009day.year
FedEx Express Flight 80: A McDonnell Douglas MD-11 flying from Guangzhou, China crashes at Tokyo's Narita International Airport, killing both the captain and the co-pilot.
A FedEx MD-11 cargo plane crashes on landing at Tokyo's Narita Airport, killing both pilots.
On March 23, 2009, FedEx Express Flight 80, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighter, crashed during a landing attempt at Tokyo's Narita International Airport. The aircraft, arriving from Guangzhou, China, touched down hard and bounced, leading to a loss of control. The crew attempted a go-around, but the plane skidded off the runway and caught fire. Tragically, both the captain and first officer were fatally injured. The accident prompted a thorough investigation into MD-11 landing performance and spurred improvements in cargo aircraft operational training.
2009
FedEx Express Flight 80
McDonnell Douglas MD-11
Guangzhou
Narita International Airport
2021day.year
A container ship runs aground and obstructs the Suez Canal for six days.
On March 23, 2021, the container ship Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal, blocking one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes for six days.
On March 23, 2021, the Ever Given, a 400-meter-long container ship, became lodged in the Suez Canal amid high winds and a dust storm. The vessel's grounding brought about a complete halt to northbound and southbound traffic, causing a congestion of over 400 ships. The blockage disrupted an estimated 12% of global trade, leading some carriers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope. International efforts to free the ship involved dredgers, tugboats, and salvage teams working around the clock. After six days, the Ever Given was successfully refloated and traffic resumed, but the incident highlighted vulnerabilities in global shipping infrastructure. The event prompted calls for canal expansion and improved risk management to prevent future disruptions. Insurance claims soared as affected companies sought compensation for delays and losses.
2021
runs aground and obstructs
Suez Canal