🗞️Today’s Headlines

Everything important that’s ever happened on February 23:

2000 — The American rock band Santana, founded by Carlos Santana, won nine Grammy Awards for the album Supernatural—tied for the most Grammys won by a single album. 

1945 — Six US servicemen were photographed raising the American flag atop Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II. The iconic photo was taken by Joe Rosenthal and won the Pulitzer Prize.

1905 — The first Rotary Club was founded by Chicago attorney Paul P. Harris. The Rotary Club now has 45,000 clubs and more than 1.2 million members who seek to promote peace, protect the environment, and more. 

1870 — Mississippi was readmitted to the United States after the Civil War, two years after the majority of Confederate states had rejoined.

1836 — Santa Anna's Mexican army besieged the Alamo during his quest to retake Texas. The siege and subsequent attack killed almost everyone inside, including legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett. “Remember the Alamo” became a rallying cry for the Army of Texas. 

1822 — The Act Establishing the City of Boston passed, making it the first Massachusetts town to gain that distinction. The newly named city had around 40,000 inhabitants. 

🎂 Today’s Birthdays

Everything important that’s ever happened on February 23:

Viktor Yushchenko (1954) — President of Ukraine from 2005–2010, who overcame an assassination attempt via poison while campaigning, only to lose the 2005 election due to voter fraud. This loss sparked the Orange Revolution and led to an election redo, which he won. 

Emily Blunt (1983) — British-American actress who overcame a speech impediment and is best known for her roles in Sicario, A Quiet Place, and The Devil Wears Prada.

 🪦Who Died Today?

On February 23, we’re saying goodbye to:

John Keats (1821) — British poet who died of tuberculosis at the age of 25 before his work became a major part of the British Romantic movement as well as a later staple of high school English classes. 

John Quincy Adams (1848) — Sixth president of the United States who led for one uneventful term but is well regarded for being one of the first presidents who was decidedly anti-slavery.

Saud of Saudi Arabia (1969) — King of Saudi Arabia (1953–1964) until he was forced by his brother to abdicate the throne and father of 108 children. 

Ofra Haza (2000)  — Israeli singer whose immense popularity spread to Europe and the United States thanks to her unique blend of traditional Middle Eastern beats and electronic instruments. The “Madonna of the East” died suddenly of an AIDS-related illness at age 42.

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