A bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, on August 23, 1973, leads to a hostage situation where captives begin to sympathize with their captors. This psychological phenomenon, later termed "Stockholm Syndrome," astonishes law enforcement and psychologists alike. It becomes a well-known concept in criminology, influencing studies of trauma and human behavior.
1973 – Stockholm Syndrome Coined
NASA’s Lunar Orbiter 1 sends the first-ever photograph of Earth taken from lunar orbit on August 23, 1966. This iconic image offers a new perspective on humanity's place in the universe and sets the stage for the Apollo missions. It also influences the environmental movement by highlighting Earth's fragility from space.
1966 – Lunar Orbiter 1 Sends First Photo of Earth from Moon
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a military transport aircraft, takes its maiden flight on August 23, 1954. This versatile plane becomes a workhorse for air forces worldwide, serving in various roles from cargo transport to medevac missions. Its durability and adaptability make it one of the longest-serving aircraft in military history.
1954 – First Flight of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules
King George III formally declares the American colonies in rebellion on August 23, 1775, following increasing unrest and skirmishes between British troops and colonists. This declaration sets the stage for the intensification of the American Revolutionary War, as the colonies are no longer seen as British subjects, but enemies of the crown.
1775 – King George III Declares Colonies in Rebellion
On August 23, 1572, the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre begins in Paris, France. Thousands of Huguenots (French Protestants) are killed in a wave of violence by Catholic mobs. The massacre, which spreads throughout France, deepens the divide between Catholics and Protestants in Europe and is one of the bloodiest episodes in the French Wars of Religion.
