National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for August 23, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.
August 23, 2026 celebrates Find Your Inner Nerd Day, plus 3 more. August 23 is Find Your Inner Nerd Day on the National Day Calendar, and we are sending out an SOS for all inner nerds today! It's time to show the world how amazing our differences are and inspire everyone to embrace our quirkiness by sharing what we love.
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On August 23, enjoy National Sponge Cake Day with the quintessential classic of the cake world. This airy queen of teas is the guest of honor, but we get the pleasure of tasting!
Read the full story →People born on August 23
The first professor of physics and astronomy at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.
Co-founder of the daily newspaper Newsday.
Silent film actress who made several acting appearances, including as a regular on Our Gang (Little Rascals).
Considered one of the most widely known and most influential anthropologists of all time.
Successful actress who is widely recognized for her role as Jeannie on I Dream of Jeannie.
Events that occurred on August 23 throughout history
Western North Carolina declares itself an independent state under the name of Franklin. The name was not accepted into the U.S. and only lasts for four years. The name was eventually changed to Tennessee.
The first National Women's Rights Convention convenes in Worcester, Massachusetts. More than 1,000 people were in attendance to discuss equal pay, better jobs, education access, and property rights for married women.
Country artist Kitty Wells becomes the first woman to reach #1 on Billboard Country Charts with the hit It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. She had 35 top-10 singles and earned top female vocalist awards for 14 straight years during her musical career.
After 16 days of train transport, the first carload of freight containing boots and shoes arrives in San Francisco, California. Before this delivery, moving commercial goods from the East Coast to the West Coast required months of treacherous travel by wagon train or sailing ships navigating around Cape Horn.
Harry D. Weed receives a patent for his "Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires." His invention was the first anti-skid automobile tire chain to make for better traction during winter and on muddy roads.
Japan declares war on Germany after Japan ordered Germany to leave Asian waters. Germany did not reply to the warning by the deadline, leading to the formal declaration of war.
Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. The Pact divided Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania are divided into German and Soviet land. Hitler attacked the Soviet Union within two years, breaking the agreement.
Saddam Hussein appears on Iraqi state television with a number of Western hostages. Referring to them as "guests," Hussein used the hostages as a way to prevent the Gulf War.
West and East Germany announce that they will reunite on October 3, ending 45 years of Cold War division.
The skeletal remains of Russia's last royal family members Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia, and his sister Grand Duchess Anastasia, are discovered near Yekaterinburg, Russia.
Chris Messina invents and uses the first hashtag in a tweet after being told by Twitter executives it was "too nerdy" of a move to make on social media. The hashtag used was #barcamp.
Longer-running observances that include this date.
National Wellness Month
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National Dog Month
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National Back To School Month
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Happiness Happens Month
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National Golf Month
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National Sandwich Month
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International Peace Month
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Romance Awareness Month
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Family Fun Month
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National Crayon Collection Month
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National Water Quality Month
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National Eye Exam Month
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Showing the first 12 — See all months for August.
