What Happened on August 23, 1942

Historical Events

  • 1st US flights to land on Guadalcanal
  • Battle of Stalingrad: 600 Luftwaffe planes bomb Stalingrad (40,000 die)

British History

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill flies back to London from Cairo, Egypt

Johnson Pitches to Ruth

Walter Johnson pitches to Babe Ruth in pregame attraction that draws 69,000 for NYY-Washington MLB doubleheader at Yankee Stadium; raises $80,000 for Army-Navy relief

  • World War II: last cavalry charge in history takes place at Isbushenskij, Russia; the Italian Savoia Cavalleria charges Soviet infantry

Famous Birthdays

  • Mimis Papaioannou, Greek soccer forward (61 caps; AEK Athens 480 games), born in Nea Nikomedeia, Greece (d. 2023)

Nancy Richey (81 years old)

American tennis player (Australian Open 1967, French Open 1968), born in San Angelo, Texas

  • Patricia McBride, American ballerina (New York City Ballet, 1959-89), artistic director and ballet master (Charlotte Ballet), born in Teaneck, New Jersey

Famous Weddings

Fay Wray

"King Kong" actress Fay Wray (34) weds screenwriter and playwright Robert Riskin (45)

Died in 1942 1942 Highlights

About August 23, 1942

Day of the Week: Sunday
How Long Ago? 81 years, 7 months and 28 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Virgo