On This Day

What Happened on May 23, 1908

Day of the Week: Saturday

Historical Events

  • Dirigible explodes over San Francisco Bay, 16 passengers fall, none killed

BoatGreat White Fleet

Part of Great White Fleet arrives in Puget Sound, Washington
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American naval ships leave Virginia on December 16, 1907, the first day of their two-year voyage
American naval ships leave Virginia on December 16, 1907, the first day of their two-year voyage

Famous Birthdays


Person of interestJohn Bardeen

John Bardeen, American physicist, electrical engineer and co-inventor of the transistor (Nobel 1956, 1972), born in Madison, Wisconsin (d. 1991)

Physicist and Electrical Engineer John Bardeen
Physicist and Electrical Engineer
John Bardeen
  • Max Abramovitz, US architect (Lincoln Center, UN Building)

Famous Deaths

  • Francois Coppee, French poet, dies

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