BBeiraLife
DIGITAL ALMANAC · EUROPE/LISBON

Historical events for
Monday, 23 March 2026

1869
Birth

Calouste Gulbenkian

Calouste Gulbenkian (born March 23, 1869, and died July 20, 1955) was an oil magnate and one of the greatest art collectors of the 20th century. His vast philanthropic legacy in Portugal, materialized in the foundation bearing his name, continues to be a vital pillar for the country's cultural and scientific development.

20/7/1955
1881
Birth

Roger Martin du Gard

Roger Martin du Gard (born March 23, 1881, and died August 22, 1958) was an eminent French writer. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1937, his monumental family saga "The Thibaults" stands out for its documentary rigor and deep psychological analysis of early 20th-century European society.

22/8/1958
1956
Birth

José Manuel Durão Barroso

José Manuel Durão Barroso (b. 1956) is a globally prominent Portuguese politician and academic. After serving as Prime Minister of Portugal (2002-2004), he assumed the presidency of the European Commission for a decade (2004-2014), leading the European Union through the complex challenges of enlargement and the financial crisis.

1968
Birth

Damon Albarn

Damon Albarn (b. 1968) is a tireless British musical visionary. As the frontman of Blur, his lyrical astuteness and constant reinvention dictated the rules of Britpop, later extending his global success with Gorillaz.

1996
Birth

Alexander Albon

Alexander Albon (b. 1996) is a talented British-Thai Formula 1 driver. With stints at top teams, he consolidated his reputation in motorsport through his sporting resilience, analytical capacity, and solid performances in the main pack of the World Championship.

1890
History

Publication of the article "Bragança, o último"

On March 23, 1890, then medical student António José de Almeida published the scathing article "Bragança, o último" in the newspaper "O Ultimatum". The anti-monarchist text resulted in his arrest but fueled the republican fervor that would lead him, years later, to the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic.

1919
History

Foundation of the "Fasci Italiani di Combattimento"

On March 23, 1919, Benito Mussolini founded the "Fasci Italiani di Combattimento" in Milan. This incipient nationalist and anti-socialist movement constituted the political genesis of the National Fascist Party, which a few years later would establish the totalitarian dictatorship in Italy.

1986
History

World Optometry Day

Marked on March 23, this global day aims to raise public awareness of the vital importance of primary eye care. The event recognizes the fundamental role of optometry professionals in the diagnosis, prevention, and compensation of visual changes worldwide.

1997
History

Launch of the Terràvista portal

On March 23, 1997, Terràvista was officially launched, a pioneering and emblematic project of the Internet in Portugal. Aiming to promote the Portuguese language on the web, the portal offered free hosting for personal pages, creating one of the first and largest Lusophone virtual communities in the country's digital history.

2011
History

Resignation of José Sócrates' Government

On March 23, 2011, Prime Minister José Sócrates presented his resignation to the President of the Republic, following the parliamentary rejection of the Stability and Growth Pact (PEC IV). The fall of the government precipitated Portugal into a harsh period of financial bailout led by the Troika.

2017
History

Approval of the miracle of the Shepherds of Fátima

On March 23, 2017, Pope Francis formally approved the miracle attributed to the intercession of the blessed Francisco and Jacinta Marto (the inexplicable cure of a Brazilian child). This decision paved the way for the historic canonization of the little shepherds, which took place in Fátima on the centenary of the apparitions.

2026
History

RSA Conference (RSAC)

Today, 23rd March 2026, the RSA Conference kicks off in San Francisco. It is the most prestigious cybersecurity event in the world, bringing together industry leaders, experts, and government entities to discuss the latest innovations and threats to digital security.

History

Day of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo

Liturgical celebration of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo (died March 23, 1606). As a fervent and dedicated Archbishop of Lima, he traveled thousands of kilometers to evangelize, defend the rights of indigenous populations, and organize ecclesiastical structures in South America, being the patron saint of the Latin American episcopate.

23/3/1606