Last Updated: July 23, 2026
Today in History – July 23 holds an indelible place in global and Indian history. Marked by the birth anniversaries of two Indian freedom fighters stalwarts of Indian independence—Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandra Shekhar Azad—this day also resonates with the inception of mass communication in India through National Broadcasting Day. From early typewriters to geopolitical milestones in Africa, July 23 represents a legacy of revolution and innovation.
This article covers:
- Major historical events on July 23
- Famous personalities born on July 23
- National and international observances
- Important current affairs and competitive exam facts
Table of Contents
🌟 Top Highlights of July 23
- Birth of Great Freedom Fighters: Coincidentally shares the birthdays of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856) and Pandit Chandra Shekhar Azad (1906), who played vital roles in India’s freedom struggle.
- Dawn of Indian Radio: The first-ever commercial radio broadcast in India commenced from the Bombay station in 1927.
- The Invention of Typewriter: In 1829, William Austin Burt received a patent for the “Typographer,” one of the earliest forms of the typewriting machines.
- Egyptian Revolution: In 1952, the Egyptian monarchy came to an end, paving the way for a republican government under General Mohamed Naguib.
🗓️ Important Historical Events on July 23
1829 – Patent Granted for the First Typewriter
American inventor William Austin Burt was granted a patent for the ‘Typographer’, recognized historically as the first functional mechanical typewriter built in America. It later became a foundation for the development of modern typewriters.
1927 – Launch of Daily Radio Broadcasts in India
Under the Indian Broadcasting Company, daily radio programs officially began from the Bombay Radio Station, marking a new era in Indian mass communication.
1952 – The Egyptian Military Coup
A military revolution in Egypt led to the collapse of the monarchy of Muhammad Ali dynasty. General Mohamed Naguib assumed leadership and initiated the country’s transformation into a modern republic.
1955 – Establishment of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)
Dattopant Thengadi founded the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) on this day. It has since grown into one of the largest central trade union organizations in India.
1972 – Launch of the First Earth Resources Satellite
NASA successfully launched the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1), which later became the foundation for the famous Landsat Earth observation program.
Other Major Events
- 685: Pope John V was consecrated as the head of the Catholic Church, beginning his papal reign.
- 1253: Pope Innocent IV ordered the total expulsion of Jewish communities from Vienne, France.
- 1871: German-American astronomer C.H.F. Peters discovered asteroid #114 Cassandra.
- 1904: Charles E. Menches introduced the concept of the edible ‘Ice Cream Cone’ at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
- 1920: Kenya was formally declared a British crown colony, transitioning from an East African protectorate.
- 1937: Scientists at Yale University announced the successful isolation of the highly complex pituitary hormone.
- 1974: The Greek military dictatorship also known as the “Regime of the Colonels” collapsed.
- 1980: Soyuz 37 safely carried two cosmonauts, including Pham Tuan (the first Vietnamese citizen and the first Asian in space), to the Salyut 6 space station.
🎂 Famous Birthdays on July 23
| Year | Personality | Domain / Notable Achievement |
| 1856 | Bal Gangadhar Tilak | Father of the Indian Unrest; pioneer of the swadeshi movement: his famous quote, “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it!”. |
| 1870 | Rayasam Venkata Sivadu | Renowned Telugu scholar, editor, and advocate for women’s education. |
| 1892 | Haile Selassie | The definitive modern Emperor of Ethiopia who resisted Italian fascism. |
| 1906 | Chandra Shekhar Azad | Revolutionary leader; reorganized Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. |
| 1949 | Kodi Ramakrishna | Legendary Telugu film director who mastered visual effects and social dramas. known for films such as Ammoru and Arundhati. |
| 1975 | Suriya (Saravanan Sivakumar) | Critically acclaimed Tamil actor, philanthropist, and National Award winner. |
📌 Other Notable Personalities: Celebrated Punjabi poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi (1936), renowned American psychiatrist Karl Menninger (1893), former Andhra Pradesh minister Puli Veeranna (1946), former England cricket captain Graham Gooch (1953) were also born on this day.
🕯️ Notable Death Anniversaries on July 23
- 1885 – Ulysses S. Grant: The 18th President of the United States and commanding general who led the Union Army to victory in the American Civil War passed away at 63 in New York.
- 1916 – Sir William Ramsay: Scottish chemist and Nobel Laureate who discovered noble/inert gases (neon, argon, krypton, xenon) in the atmosphere.
- 2004 – Mehmood Ali: Iconic Indian actor, director, and producer who redefined comedy in Hindi mainstream cinema.
📌 Other Demises: Telugu film actress Manjula (2013), Telugu writer and English lecturer M.D. Nafeezuddin (2020), widely known by his pen name “M.D. Soujanya,” and first-generation veteran political cartoonist of Eenadu newspaper, Cartoonist Papa (born Koyya Siva Rama Reddy) (2022) also passed away on this date.
📢 National & International Days Observed on July 23
- Egypt National Day / Revolution Day: Celebrated in memory of the military revolution of July 23, 1952, which paved the way for the establishment of a republican government in Egypt.
- National Broadcasting Day (India): Commemorates the historic day in 1927 when radio broadcasts officially started in India.
- Gorgeous Grandma Day: A lighthearted international observance celebrating the importance, wisdom, and contributions of grandmothers in families and society.
- National Refreshment Day: Celebrated globally, particularly on the fourth Thursday of July, to encourage individuals to take a break from their rigorous schedules and enjoy refreshing beverages to beat the summer heat.
💡Did You Know?
- The Evolution of AIR: The humble beginning of private radio broadcasting on July 23, 1927, eventually evolved into the state-owned All India Radio (Akashvani) in 1936, expanding into one of the largest radio networks globally.
- The Ultimate Vow: True to his chosen moniker ‘Azad’ (The Free), Chandra Shekhar Azad engaged in a fierce gunbattle with the police force at Alfred Park, Allahabad (now Prayagraj) in 1931. True to his vow of never being captured alive by colonial forces, he used his final bullet on himself.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When was Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh established?
Ans: Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh was founded on July 23, 1955, by industrial reformer Dattopant Thengadi. It is observed annually as Founder’s Day.
Q2: Which two prominent Indian freedom fighters share their birthdays on July 23?
Ans: Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak (born 1856) and revolutionary leader Chandra Shekhar Azad (born 1906) both share their birth anniversaries on July 23.
Q3: Who invented the ‘Typographer’ and when was it patented?
Ans: The ‘Typographer’ (an early variant of the typewriter) was invented by William Austin Burt and patented on July 23, 1829.
Q4: Why is Egypt’s National Day celebrated?
Ans: It commemorates the Egyptian Revolution of 1952.
Q5: Why is National Broadcasting Day celebrated on July 23 in India?
Ans: National Broadcasting Day is celebrated on July 23 because India’s first-ever commercial radio broadcast was transmitted from the Bombay station on this date in 1927 under the Indian Broadcasting Company.
Q6: Who gave the famous slogan “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it”? When was he born?
Ans: The slogan was given by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who was born on July 23, 1856.
Q7: Which famous Telugu film director was born on July 23?
Ans: Kodi Ramakrishna.