Daily Archives: May 23, 2025

Nazi war criminal Heinrich Himmler commits suicide while in British custody 80 years ago this hour (May 23 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Death Of Himmler (1945)'

(Wednesday, May 23, 1945, 11:14 p.m. CEST; on the Western Front and Eastern Front during World War II) — Nazi official Heinrich Himmler, Reichsführer of the Schutzstaffel (SS) and one of the people most directly responsible for the Holocaust, committed suicide tonight by biting into a cyanide capsule while in British custody in Luneburg, Germany. Continue reading Nazi war criminal Heinrich Himmler commits suicide while in British custody 80 years ago this hour (May 23 1945) →

JFK resumes Senate duties after battling back from surgery 70 years ago today (May 23 1955)

1950s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'May 23, 1955 - Senator John F. Kennedy returns to the Senate‘

(Monday, May 23, 1955) — Senator John F. Kennedy returned to duty today from a seven-month absence made necessary by major back surgery.

Two-day Grand Review of the Armies begins 160 years ago this hour (May 23 1865)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (May 23, 1865 at 29:13)

(Tuesday, May 23, 1865, 9:00 a.m. local time) — The Grand Review of the Armies, a two-day military procession and celebration in Washington, D.C., following the close of the American Civil War, began today.

Elements of the Union Army paraded through the streets of the capital to receive accolades from the crowds and reviewing politicians, officials, and prominent citizens, including the President Andrew Johnson.

Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary 110 years ago this hour (May 23 1915)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'The New Alpine Front - Italy Joins World War 1 I THE GREAT WAR Week 44' (May 23, 1915, at 0:44)

(Sunday, May 23, 1915, 3:30 p.m. Central European Time; on the Italian Front of World War I) — Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary today following secret promises made by Allies in the Treaty of London. Continue reading Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary 110 years ago this hour (May 23 1915) →