June 23 in History: The First SAT Exam, “Batman” Hits Theaters, and Apple Unveils the Power Mac

Scott Winters June 23, 2026 3 Comments

Discover what happened on June 23 in history, featuring breakthroughs in education, aviation, technology, entertainment, and a uniquely strange moment from Michigan history involving a missing circus python.

What Happened on June 23 in History?

Important events on this day include the first SAT exam being administered, Northwest Airlines Flight 2501 crashing over Lake Michigan, Batman premiering in theaters in 1989, and Michigan’s famous “Big Sid” circus snake escape capturing headlines in 1978.

JUNE 23 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1836 – Congress approved the Deposit Act, which contained a provision for turning over surplus federal revenue to the states.

1868 – Christopher Latham Sholes received a patent for an invention that he called a “Type-Writer.”

1904 – The first American motorboat race got underway on the Hudson River in New York, NY.

1917 – In a game against the Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox pitcher Ernie Shore retired 26 batters in a row after replacing Babe Ruth. Ruth had been ejected for punching an umpire.

1926 – The College Board administers the first SAT exam.

1926 – The first lip reading tournament in America was held in Philadelphia, PA.

1931 – Wiley Post and Harold Gatty took off from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, NY on the first round-the-world flight in a single-engine plane.

1938 – The Civil Aeronautics Authority was established.

1938 – Marineland opened near St. Augustine, FL.

1950 – A furious squall on Lake Michigan caused the worst commercial aviation disaster at that time — Northwest Airlines Flight 2501 went down with 58 on board.

1960 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared Enovid to be the first officially approved combined oral contraceptive pill in the world.

1963 – Jimmy Piersall, of the New York Mets, hit his 100th career home run and ran the bases backwards as promised.

1969 – Warren E. Burger was sworn in as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court by retiring Chief Justice Earl Warren.

1972 – President Richard Nixon and White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman discussed a plan to use the CIA to obstruct the FBI’s Watergate investigation.

1978 – A 7 year old, 16 foot python, weighing 140 pounds, named “Big Sid”, slithered away from a traveling circus in Standale, MI. The search for “Big Sid” continued for weeks, until his capture on July 24th, 1978. Read more about “Big Sid” here.

1980 – David Letterman’s daytime TV show debuted on NBC.

1988 – George Steinbrenner fired Yankees manager Billy Martin for the fifth time, and replaced him with Lou Piniella.

1989 – The movie “Batman”, directed by Tim Burton and starring Jack Nicholson as the Joker and Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, premiered in theaters.

1989 – The movie “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” debuted in theaters.

1992 – Mob boss John Gotti, “The Teflon Don,” was sentenced to life in prison, where he died a decade later.

1993 – Lorena Bobbitt of Manassas, VA, cut off a part of her sleeping husband John’s penis with a kitchen knife. She drove off with the severed appendage and threw it from the car window. Police found it and a surgeon reattached it.

1996 – The Nintendo 64 video console debuted in Japan.

2000 – The stop-action animated movie “Chicken Run” hit theaters.

2003 – Apple Computer Inc. unveiled the new Power Mac desktop computer.

2005 – Roger Ebert received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2013 – In Arizona, aerialist Nik Wallenda completed a quarter mile tightrope walk over the Little Colorado River Gorge, to become the first man to successfully walk across the Grand Canyon on a tight rope.

2015 – NASA’s Mars Odyssey completed its 60,000th orbit around Mars. The spacecraft entered orbit on October 23, 2001.

2015 – Verizon announced it had completed its $4.4 billion purchase of AOL, Inc.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JUNE 23:

Richard Bach – 90 years old (1936) – Novelist and essayist

Vint Cerf – 83 years old (1943) – Computer scientist and Internet pioneer

Ellyn Kaschak – 83 years old (1943) – Psychologist and academic

Ted Shackelford – 80 years old (1946) – Actor

Clarence Thomas – 78 years old (1948) – Lawyer and jurist, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Glenn Danzig – 71 years old (1955) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Tony Hill – 70 years old (1956) – Football player and sportscaster

Randy Jackson – 70 years old (1956) – Bass player and producer

Frances McDormand – 69 years old (1957) – Actress, winner of the Triple Crown of Acting

Donald Harrison – 66 years old (1960) – Saxophonist, composer, and producer

LaSalle Thompson – 65 years old (1961) – Basketball player, coach, and manager

Chuck Billy – 64 years old (1962) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Joss Whedon – 62 years old (1964) – Director, producer, and screenwriter

Sylvia Mathews Burwell – 61 years old (1965) – Government and non-profit executive

Chico DeBarge – 60 years old (1966) – Singer and pianist

Martin Klebba – 57 years old (1969) – Actor, producer, and stuntman

Robert Brooks – 56 years old (1970) – Football player

Selma Blair – 54 years old (1972) – Actress

Mark Hendrickson – 52 years old (1974) – Basketball and baseball player

Kevin Dyson – 51 years old (1975) – Football player and coach

Mike James – 51 years old (1975) – Basketball player

Wade Barrett – 50 years old (1976) – Soccer player and manager

Joe Becker – 50 years old (1976) – Guitarist and composer

Brandon Stokley – 50 years old (1976) – Football player

Jason Mraz – 49 years old (1977) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Shaun O'Hara – 49 years old (1977) – Football player and sportscaster

Memphis Bleek – 48 years old (1978) – Rapper, producer, and actor

Matt Light – 48 years old (1978) – Football player and sportscaster

LaDainian Tomlinson – 47 years old (1979) – Football player

Becky Cloonan – 46 years old (1980) – Author and illustrator

Melissa Rauch – 46 years old (1980) – Actress

Marcel Reece – 41 years old (1985) – Football player

Christy Altomare – 40 years old (1986) – Actress and singer-songwriter

Chellsie Memmel – 38 years old (1988) – Gymnast

Katie Armiger – 35 years old (1991) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Tim Anderson – 33 years old (1993) – Baseball player

Elliana Walmsley – 19 years old (2007) – Dancer

Lilliana Ketchman – 18 years old (2008) – Dancer and YouTuber

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JUNE 23:

International Women in Engineering Day: Donate to the cause and help spread awareness about the amazing opportunities for girls who might have an interest in pursuing a career in engineering.
National Typewriter Day: Computers are great, but there’s nothing quite like the satisfying “clack” of a typewriter. Dust off that family heirloom, or see if someone you know has one.
Public Service Day: Give a big thanks to the public servants who keep our communities running, from restoring power during a storm to checking for gas leaks and more.
National Pecan Sandies Day: Celebrate National Pecan Sandies Day by savoring buttery shortbread cookies with crunchy pecans, sharing homemade batches, and honoring this timeless sweet treat.
National Detroit-Style Pizza Day: Celebrate National Detroit-Style Pizza Day by enjoying thick, crispy-edged, pan-baked slices that honor Detroit’s inventive pizza heritage and bold flavors.
National Hydration Day: Discover the importance of staying hydrated, learn health benefits of proper fluid intake, and find simple ways to celebrate National Hydration Day.
International Widows Day: Donate to charities that support widows and their children, and be there for anyone in your life who has tragically had to outlive her spouse and carry on alone.
National Porridge Day: Wake up to a warm, hearty breakfast that will keep you fueled for hours with a classic dish that's been enjoyed for centuries.
National Let It Go Day: Stop wasting energy on negativity and grudges, and start letting things go to make more room for the positive sides of life. Practice mindfulness and be forgiving.
Rabbit Week: Rabbit Week is an engaging event that raises awareness of rabbit well-being and encourages everyone to understand the unique needs of these beloved pets. Celebrating Rabbit Week raises awareness about proper rabbit care, emphasizing that rabbits are more than cute, furry animals. They require specific environments, diets, and medical care...
Runner’s Selfie Day: It’s become a habit for many runners to pause mid-stride and snap a quick selfie. Runner’s Selfie Day turns that habit into a moment of pride and fun. All kinds of runners take part—solo joggers, trail lovers, city sprinters. They capture the sweat, the smiles, and the scenery. The result? A...
Pink Flamingo Day: Pink Flamingo Day celebrates those bright plastic birds that often adorn gardens with playful charm. The day honors both the quirky ornaments and the man who first molded them. That artist gave these figures their distinctive shape. What began as a simple lawn accessory has grown into a fun tradition...
St. John’s Eve: Discover the meaning of St. John’s Eve, a mystical night of bonfires, herbs, dancing, and water rituals that blend Christian, folk, and nature traditions.
National Play Catch Week: Connecting through a simple toss, a timeless game fosters bonds, laughter, and shared moments of pure joy.
Insect Week: Insect Week is an exciting celebration dedicated to the fascinating world of insects. This week-long event features a variety of engaging activities and events designed to highlight the importance of insects in our lives. From art and photography competitions to educational workshops and bug hunts, there’s something for everyone to...
National Craft Spirits Week: National Craft Spirits Week is a lively celebration of small-batch distillers across the country. Walk into a distillery during National Craft Spirits Week, and the air feels different. There’s the scent of oak, spice, and citrus. Bottles line the walls, each with its own label and story. This week isn’t about...
National Lightning Safety Awareness Week: National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, celebrated in June, sparks crucial conversations about a powerful natural phenomenon. This week is vital because lightning strikes can be deadly, causing significant injuries and fatalities each year. Despite its potential dangers, lightning often doesn't receive the attention it deserves compared to other weather-related threats. How to...
English Wine Week: English Wine Week is a vibrant celebration of the burgeoning English wine industry. It's an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to explore the diversity and quality of wines produced across the country. Vineyards open their doors, offering a range of activities like tours, tastings, and special events. This week is not...
International Phace Syndrome Awareness Week: PHACE Syndrome Awareness Week brings attention to a rare condition that often starts with a bright red birthmark on a child’s face. This mark can signal deeper medical problems involving the brain, heart, eyes, or arteries. Parents usually notice the birthmark first, but doctors soon find more going on. That moment...
Windjammer Days: Windjammer Days is a lively celebration where elegant tall ships sail into Boothbay Harbor’s calm waters. The day bursts with energy as colorful vessels glide in and gather off Cabbage Island. Crowds line the shore, cheering and snapping photos as sails unfurl and boats drift under bright skies. That harbor...
National Roller Coaster Week: National Roller Coaster Week highlights the thrill of sharp turns, steep drops, and fast rides. Parks stay packed as people chase that quick burst of fear and fun. Some come for their first ride, others for their hundredth. Either way, they’re there for the same reason—to feel something real for...