1806day.year
After traveling through the Louisiana Purchase and reaching the Pacific Ocean, explorers Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery begin their arduous journey home.
Having reached the Pacific, Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery set out on the long return journey after exploring the Louisiana Territory.
Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the Corps of Discovery to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. In November 1805, they reached the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia River, gathering vital scientific, geographic, and ethnographic observations. After wintering at Fort Clatsop, they embarked on their return to St. Louis in March 1806. The journey home involved retracing their route across rugged mountain passes, navigating uncharted rivers, and maintaining crucial alliances with Native American tribes. Their successful return in September 1806 provided the young United States with unparalleled knowledge of its western lands and indigenous peoples.
1806
Louisiana Purchase
Lewis and Clark
Corps of Discovery
1857day.year
Elisha Otis's first elevator is installed at 488 Broadway New York City.
Elisha Otis installed the first safety elevator in New York City, paving the way for modern skyscrapers.
Elisha Otis revolutionized vertical transportation with his invention of a safety elevator brake that prevented sudden falls if the hoisting rope broke. After demonstrating the mechanism in 1854 at a New York exposition, he secured funding to build a commercial lift. On March 23, 1857, Otis’s elevator was installed at 488 Broadway, providing safe, reliable service for passengers and goods. This breakthrough enabled the construction of taller buildings and transformed urban landscapes worldwide. The Otis Elevator Company went on to dominate the industry and remains a global leader in elevator and escalator technology.
1857
Elisha Otis
elevator
Broadway
1909day.year
Theodore Roosevelt leaves New York for a post-presidency safari in Africa. The trip is sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society.
Former President Theodore Roosevelt embarked on a Smithsonian and National Geographic Society-sponsored safari in Africa to pursue adventure and scientific exploration.
On March 23, 1909, Theodore Roosevelt departed New York for an ambitious African safari, accompanied by naturalists and photographers. Sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society, the expedition aimed to collect specimens and document wildlife across East Africa. Roosevelt traversed regions of modern-day Kenya and Uganda, encountering elephants, lions, and rare bird species. The team gathered thousands of zoological and botanical samples destined for American museums and research institutions. Roosevelt's detailed journals and photographs provided valuable scientific insights and captivated the public back home. The safari cemented his reputation as a conservationist and adventurous leader during the early 20th century. His African journey left a lasting legacy in both scientific communities and popular perceptions of wildlife exploration.
1909
Theodore Roosevelt
presidency
safari
Smithsonian Institution
National Geographic Society
1965day.year
NASA launches Gemini 3, the United States' first two-man space flight (crew: Gus Grissom and John Young).
NASA launches Gemini 3, America's first two-man space mission, with astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young.
NASA launched Gemini 3 on March 23, 1965, marking the United States’ first two-man space mission, crewed by Command Pilot Virgil ‘Gus’ Grissom and Pilot John W. Young. The mission, also known as Molly Brown, tested spacecraft maneuverability, life-support systems, and orbital navigation in preparation for future lunar missions. Over nearly five hours, the astronauts completed three Earth orbits, conducted the first orbital roll, and performed onboard experiments. The flight revealed critical insights into crew performance and spacecraft handling. Gemini 3’s success boosted confidence in NASA’s ability to conduct longer, more complex missions. It represented a significant step toward the Apollo program’s goal of landing humans on the Moon.
1965
NASA
Gemini 3
Gus Grissom
John Young
1983day.year
Strategic Defense Initiative: President Ronald Reagan makes his initial proposal to develop technology to intercept enemy missiles.
On March 23, 1983, President Reagan unveiled the Strategic Defense Initiative, aiming to deploy missile defense systems against nuclear threats.
Amid escalating Cold War tensions, President Ronald Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative during a televised address on March 23, 1983. The plan envisioned space-based lasers, missile interceptors, and ground systems to shield the United States from nuclear attacks. Dubbed "Star Wars" by critics, SDI sparked fierce debate over feasibility, cost, and the militarization of space. Supporters argued it would render nuclear missiles obsolete and deter Soviet aggression. Opponents in Congress and the scientific community questioned the technology's maturity and strategic wisdom. The initiative prompted a shift in nuclear strategy and intensified the arms race before evolving into later missile defense programs.
1983
Strategic Defense Initiative
Ronald Reagan
2001day.year
The Russian Mir space station is disposed of, breaking up in the atmosphere before falling into the southern Pacific Ocean near Fiji.
The Russian Mir space station re-enters Earth's atmosphere and disintegrates over the South Pacific near Fiji.
On March 23, 2001, Russia's historic Mir space station ended its 15-year mission as ground controllers guided a controlled reentry into Earth's atmosphere. Once a symbol of Soviet and later international cooperation, Mir contributed critical research on long-duration human spaceflight. During the reentry, most structures burned up over the South Pacific, while small debris fell near Fiji. The operation marked a transition toward the International Space Station program. Mir's legacy lives on in the lessons learned for modular station design, maintenance, and international collaboration.
2001
Mir
disposed of
Fiji
2014day.year
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports cases of Ebola in the forested rural region of southeastern Guinea, marking the beginning of the largest Ebola outbreak in history.
WHO reports Ebola cases in Guinea, initiating the largest outbreak of the virus in history.
On March 23, 2014, the World Health Organization confirmed Ebola virus disease cases in the forested southeastern region of Guinea. What began with a single child quickly evolved into the largest Ebola outbreak on record, affecting multiple West African nations. The virus spread rapidly in urban centers, challenging public health systems and international response efforts. Containment was hampered by resource shortages, community mistrust, and the disease's high fatality rate. The crisis led to major investments in epidemic preparedness, accelerated vaccine development, and reforms in global health governance.
2014
World Health Organization
Ebola