August 23

What happened on August 23 in history

3 events fall on August 23, from 1305 to 1939. Read them below, then try to place a historical scene yourself — guess where in the world it happened and in what year.

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Events on August 23

  1. 1305

    William Wallace is executed

    He is hanged, drawn and quartered at Smithfield in London.

    Play the Medieval & Renaissance round

  2. 1791

    The Haitian Revolution begins

    An uprising in the north of Saint-Domingue starts the only successful slave revolution.

    Play the Exploration & revolution round

  3. 1939

    The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact

    Germany and the USSR sign a non-aggression pact with a secret protocol.

    Play the 20th century round