This Day That Year

April 23

in History

Temple of Venus Erected — Rome builds beauty from the ashes of defeat
Rome, Roman RepublicAncient
215

Temple of Venus Erected

Rome builds beauty from the ashes of defeat

On the sacred Capitoline Hill, the Romans dedicated a magnificent temple to Venus Erycina -- not in celebration, but in atonement. The devastating Roman defeat at Lake Trasimene, where Hannibal's Carthaginian forces had annihilated an entire Roman army, demanded divine intercession. By raising this temple to the goddess of love and beauty, Rome sought to restore the favor of the gods and fortify the spirit of a republic fighting for its survival.

215 BC
Jim Bottomley Was Born — A Cardinal destined for Cooperstown
Oglesby, Illinois, United StatesEarly 20th Century
1900

Jim Bottomley Was Born

A Cardinal destined for Cooperstown

In Oglesby, Illinois, James Leroy Bottomley was born -- the future first baseman who would become one of the St. Louis Cardinals' greatest players. Over a fifteen-year career, 'Sunny Jim' helped lead the Cardinals to four National League pennants and two World Series titles. His powerful bat and sunny disposition made him a fan favorite, and his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974 cemented his place among the sport's immortals.

1900 AD
Batting — Batting for the Milwaukee Braves against Vic Raschi of the St.
Late 20th Century
1954

Batting

Batting for the Milwaukee Braves against Vic Raschi of the St.

Batting for the Milwaukee Braves against Vic Raschi of the St. Louis Cardinals, Hank Aaron hit the first of his 755 home runs in Major League Baseball.

1954 AD