📅 Today in HistoryFebruary 23

Roman emperor Diocletian orders the destruction of the Christian church in Nicomedia, beginning eight years of Diocletianic Persecution.

Byzantine emperor Justinian I lays the foundation stone of a new Orthodox Christian basilica in Constantinople - the Hagia Sophia.

Khosrow II, last Sasanian shah of Iran, is overthrown.

Empress Wu Zetian abdicates the throne, restoring the Tang dynasty.

Traditionally the date of publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed with movable type.

J. S. Bach leads his Tafel-Music Shepherd Cantata for the birthday of Christian, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels.

Berbice slave uprising in Guyana: The first major slave revolt in South America.

American Revolutionary War: Baron von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to help train the Continental Army.

Cato Street Conspiracy: A plot to murder all the British cabinet ministers is exposed and the conspirators arrested.

Texas Revolution: The Siege of the Alamo (prelude to the Battle of the Alamo) begins in San Antonio, Texas.