In History, Today on June 23

The European Union grants Ukraine and Moldova candidate status in its biggest expansion move since 2004. This decision occurs amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following the Russian invasion and is seen as a strong political signal of support from the EU.

Iran elects Ebrahim Raisi as president following the country's presidential elections. The result is seen as consolidating hardline factions within Iranian politics, with Raisi, the head of the judiciary, receiving over 60% of the vote in an election marked by low turnout.

A youth soccer team and their coach became trapped in the Tham Luang cave in Thailand due to rising floodwaters. The incident led to a massive international rescue operation that captivated global attention.

The United Kingdom held a referendum on its membership in the European Union, commonly known as the Brexit referendum. The result was a vote to leave the EU, with 51.9% voting in favor of leaving.

Female athletes for the first time outnumbered their male counterparts in the United States Olympic team announced on this day for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Apple Inc. released the iPhone 4, which featured a new design and the introduction of the FaceTime video calling feature.

The Union of Islamic Courts captures Baidoa, a major city in Somalia, marking a significant gain in territory and power in the region during the Somali Civil War.

The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1356, which allowed for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Somalia, lifting the arms embargo for such purposes.

Moldova declared its independence from the Soviet Union, part of the larger dissolution of the USSR.

Air India Flight 182 was destroyed by a bomb over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 329 people on board, in one of the deadliest aviation disasters involving terrorism.

Title IX of the Education Amendments is enacted, prohibiting gender discrimination in federally funded education programs in the United States.

The IBM 360/91 supercomputer is turned off at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, marking the end of its use.

The Antarctic Treaty, which regulates international relations with respect to Antarctica, came into force, establishing the region as a scientific preserve and banning military activity.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Enovid as the first oral contraceptive pill, marking a significant development in reproductive health.

Gamal Abdel Nasser becomes President of Egypt.

Wiley Post and Harold Gatty began their record-setting flight around the world, leaving from Roosevelt Field in New York.

The Estonian War of Independence ended with the signing of the Treaty of Tartu, where Germany and Soviet Russia recognized Estonian independence.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded at the Sorbonne in Paris, leading to the establishment of the modern Olympic Games.

The British East Africa Protectorate is established, marking another step in Britain's expansion in Africa.

The U.S. Secret Service is formally created by President Abraham Lincoln.

The June Days Uprising began in Paris, where workers protested against the closure of National Workshops. This event was part of the broader struggles of the 1848 Revolutions in Europe.

Napoleon's Grand Army formally entered into the territory of Russia during the French invasion known as the Russian Campaign.

The Battle of Plassey took place, marking a decisive victory for the British East India Company over the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies, leading to British control over Bengal.

William Penn signs a peace treaty with the Tammany, a chief of the Lenni Lenape, ensuring peaceable relations in what would become Philadelphia.

The mutinous crew of Henry Hudson's fourth voyage set Hudson, his son, and seven loyal crew members adrift in an open boat in James Bay.

The striking of a naval engagement known as the Battle of Deventer, wherein the Dutch forces under Maurice of Nassau defeated a Spanish fleet.

Henry VIII and François I of France signed a secret treaty against Emperor Charles V.

The Battle of Bannockburn began, a significant Scottish victory in the First War of Scottish Independence against England.

The Alþingi, the national parliament of Iceland, was established at Þingvellir. It is one of the oldest parliaments in the world.

Sun Quan proclaims himself Emperor of Eastern Wu, marking a significant development in the Three Kingdoms period in China.