In History, Today on January 23

Protests erupted across Russia, demanding the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny after his arrest upon returning to the country.

The city of Wuhan in China was placed under a lockdown by the Chinese government in an effort to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, marking one of the first major responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska, prompting a tsunami warning that was later canceled without any significant damage reported.

A series of coordinated bomb attacks in Kano, Nigeria, claimed by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, resulted in over 185 deaths. This marked one of the deadliest attacks attributed to Boko Haram at the time, highlighting the escalating violence and challenges in combating terrorism in Nigeria.

The President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, declared a state of emergency after nationwide protests against the government's handling of the financial crisis. This was part of the Icelandic financial crisis which followed the collapse of the country's banking system.

Viktor Yushchenko was inaugurated as the President of Ukraine after a re-run of the presidential election, following the Orange Revolution which protested against electoral fraud.

The 'Yes' campaign for the Treaty of Nice referendum was launched in Ireland, aiming to secure public approval for the treaty which was crucial for the enlargement of the European Union.

The first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are announced, including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and James Brown.

U.S. President Richard Nixon announces that a peace accord has been reached in Vietnam.

The USS Pueblo, an American Navy intelligence vessel, was captured by North Korean forces. The event heightened tensions during the Cold War and led to the crew's year-long detention.

The 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution, prohibiting the use of poll taxes in federal elections, is ratified.

The bathyscaphe Trieste descends to the bottom of the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest known point in the Earth's oceans.

The Knesset passes a resolution affirming Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

World War II: British forces capture Tripoli from the German-Italian Panzer Army.

The 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, changing the beginning and ending of the terms of the president and vice president from March 4 to January 20.

The Netherlands refuses to extradite Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, who had fled to the country after World War I.

The RMS Republic, a passenger ship, sinks off the coast of Nantucket after colliding with another ship, resulting in the first recorded use of the CQD distress signal.

Charles Curtis, a Native American, begins serving in the U.S. Congress representing Kansas, and later becomes the first person of significant Native American ancestry to serve as Vice President of the United States.

Elva Zona Heaster is found dead in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, leading to the only known case in the United States where the testimony of a ghost helped to convict a murderer.

During the American Civil War, Union General William T. Sherman issues Field Order No. 15, which sets aside land for black families and former slaves.

Elizabeth Blackwell is awarded her M.D. by the Geneva Medical College of Geneva, New York, becoming the first woman in the United States to receive a medical degree.

Georgetown College, the first Catholic college in the United States, was founded.

The Principality of Liechtenstein is created within the Holy Roman Empire.

The Act of Abjuration, declaring the independence of the northern Netherlands from Spain, was ratified.

The Royal Exchange opens in London, founded by financier Thomas Gresham as the first purpose-built center for trading stocks in England.

The assassination of James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, the Regent of Scotland, occurs, marking the first recorded assassination by firearm.

The Shaanxi earthquake, the deadliest earthquake on record, strikes Shaanxi province in China, resulting in an estimated 830,000 deaths.

Zhu Yuanzhang ascends to the throne of China as the Hongwu Emperor, marking the beginning of the Ming Dynasty.

The Song dynasty in China, under the leadership of Emperor Taizu, captures the Southern Tang capital of Jinling (modern-day Nanjing), marking a significant step in the reunification of China.

Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his eight-year-old son Honorius co-emperor of the Western Roman Empire.