February 23
1917
First demonstrations in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The beginning of the February Revolution.
1955
First meeting of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO).
1966
In Syria, Baath party member Salah Jadid leads an intra-party military coup that replaces the previous government of General Amin Hafiz, also a Baathist.
1991
Gulf War: Ground troops cross the Saudi Arabian border and enter Iraq, thus beginning the ground phase of the war.
1998
Osama bin Laden publishes a fatwa declaring jihad against all Jews and "Crusaders"; the latter term is commonly interpreted to refer to the people of Europe and the United States.