American General and 14th President of The United States Franklin Pierce was born on this homestead in Hillsborough, New Hampshire on November 23, 1804. Image: President Franklin Pierce birthplace c. 1914 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Thanksgiving Day Service Held in English Country Church- Americans in Cransley, Northamptonshire, England, UK November 23, 1944 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On November 23, 1942, President Roosevelt authorized the US Coast Guard to form a Women’s Reserve force known as SPARS, from the USCG motto, “Semper Paratus – Always Ready.” Officers and enlisted SPARS performed a wide variety of duties in the continental US, Alaska, and Hawaii. Image from NARA via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.

On November 23, 1852, Vermont passed a prohibition law that penalized public distribution of alcoholic beverages. This was nearly 7 decades before the 18th Amendment. Image: Vintage portrait of a woman drinking beer from a boot shaped glass via Shutterstock

Winter Scene in Keene, New Hampshire November 23, 1872 via The J. Paul Getty Museum, no known restrictions

Born November 23, 1888, Harpo was an appropriate nickname for Arthur Marx, an accomplished harpist who was self-taught. The silent Harpo (left, with brother Chico) employed mime-like gestures and props in comedy roles but actually “had a deep, distinguished voice, like a professional announcer.” Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.

On November 23, 1920, the city of Anchorage, Alaska was incorporated. Image of the first Anchorage City Council after the city was incorporated in 1920 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On November 23, 1970 George Harrison’s hit song “My Sweet Lord” was released in The United States. Image: George Harrison in the early 1970s by David Hume Kennerly via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

The first jukebox went into operation on November 23, 1889 at the Palais Royale Saloon in San Francisco. Image of three soldiers in overcoats listening to the jukebox at Service Club No. 1 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana during World War II (1943) via Wikimedia Commons, no known restrictions

Edward Rutledge, the youngest delegate to sign the Declaration of Independence, was born in November 23, 1749 on Charleston, South Carolina. Image via NYPL Digital Collections, no known restrictions

The first public use of fluorescent lighting occurred on November 23, 1936 at a dinner at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. celebrating the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Patent Office.

Image of the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. about eleven years earlier in 1925 via LOC, no known restrictions ractive Heading

Alexander Patch, a veteran of both WWI and WWII was born on November 23, 1889 at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. 

 Before passing away from pneumonia at the age of 55 in 1945, he commanded U.S. Army and Marine Corps forces during the Guadalcanal Campaign during WWII.  

Image of Patch at West Point c. 1913 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

After 7 months of occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, the U.S. withdrew its forces on November 23, 1914. 

Image of Vera Cruz being turned over to the U.S. Army by the U.S. Navy during the occupation via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

First Railway Train in Pennsylvania, drawn by “Old Ironsides” on the Philadelphia, Germantown & Norristown Railroad 

First trip November 23, 1832

via LOC, no known restrictions