January 23

What happened on January 23 in history

3 events fall on January 23, from 1556 to 1960. Read them below, then try to place a historical scene yourself — guess where in the world it happened and in what year.

Guess where and when

Explore a 360° historical scene and place it on the map and the timeline. Free, no sign-up.

Play today's challenge

Events on January 23

  1. 1556

    The Shaanxi earthquake

    The deadliest earthquake on record collapses cave dwellings across northern China.

    Play the Medieval & Renaissance round

  2. 1849

    Elizabeth Blackwell earns a medical degree

    The first woman to graduate in medicine in the United States finishes top of her class.

    Play the 19th century round

  3. 1960

    The Trieste reaches the Mariana Trench

    Piccard and Walsh descend nearly eleven kilometres to the deepest point in the ocean.

    Play the 20th century round