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.
Read the full story →
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
Actress easily recognized for her role as Diane in the sitcom Cheers.
The first professor of physics and astronomy at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.
Notre Dame football player whose life was depicted in the movie Rudy.
Actor who played the character Les on WKRP in Cincinnati.
NBA guard and champion (2000-02 and 2009-10); NBA MVP (2008); 18 x NBA All Star; Olympic Gold medalist (2008-12).
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.
Longer-running observances that include this date.
National Wellness Month
Month
National Dog Month
Month
National Back To School Month
Month
Happiness Happens Month
Month
National Golf Month
Month
International Peace Month
Month
National Sandwich Month
Month
Romance Awareness Month
Month
Family Fun Month
Month
National Water Quality Month
Month
National Eye Exam Month
Month
National Crayon Collection Month
Month
Showing the first 12 — See all months for August.
