December 23

December 23: This Day in History

• 1823— The poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' (commonly known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas') was first published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel.
• 1888— Vincent van Gogh cut off part of his left ear during a mental breakdown in Arles, France, following an argument with Paul Gauguin.
• 1913— The Federal Reserve Act was signed by President Woodrow Wilson, establishing the Federal Reserve System.
• 1947— Bell Labs scientists John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley demonstrated the first transistor, a development that transformed modern electronics.
• 1986— The experimental aircraft Voyager completed the first nonstop, non-refueled around-the-world flight, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager.

Famous Birthdays on December 23

• Eddie Vedder (1964) — vocalist of pearl jam
• Corey Haim (1971) — actor
• Susan Lucci (1946) — soap opera actress
• Carla Bruni (1967) — french-italian model and singer
• Emperor Akihito (1933) — 125th emperor of japan

What Happens on December 23?

Did You Know? December 23 Fun Facts

• The transistor demonstrated on December 23, 1947 at Bell Labs eventually led to the microchip, the computer revolution, and virtually all modern electronics.
• 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' was published anonymously in 1823; it was only attributed to Clement Clarke Moore decades later, and that attribution is still debated.