February 23

Today in History
• 303 - Emperor Diocletian orders general persecution of Christians
• 1455 - Johannes Gutenberg prints 1st book, Bible (estimated date)
• 1574 - France begins 5th holy war against Huguenots
• 1689 - Dutch prince William III proclaimed king of England
• 1792 - Humane Society of Massachusetts incorporated
• 1822 - Boston is incorporated as a city
• 1836 - Alamo besieged by Santa Anna; entire garrison eventually killed
• 1861 - President-elect Lincoln arrives secretly in Washington D.C. to take office


Holidays - Traditional and Obscure
• Defender of the Fatherland Day
• Digital Learning Day
• Guyana Republic Day
• International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
• Launceston Cup
• National Chili Day
• National Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day
• Tootsie Roll Day

Birthdays
• 1417 - Paul II, Pietro Barbo, Italy, Pope, 1464 - 1471
• 1646 - Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, Japanese shogun
• 1744 - Mayer Amschel Rothschild, Frankfurt, founder, House of Rothschild
• 1787 - Emma Willard, U.S., opens school for young ladies, Hall of Fame
• 1868 - W. E. B. Du Bois, born in Massachusetts, civil rights writer
• 1908 - William McMahon, Prime Minister of Australia, Liberal, 1971 - 1972
• 1911 - G Mennen Williams, Detroit, Supreme Court Justice, Gov-D-Michigan
• 1937 - David Ward, president, Law Society