August 23

Events

• 636: The Battle of Yarmuk takes place, ending in Byzantine defeat to the Arabs.
• 1921: The Battle of the Sakarya commences during the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922).
• 1926: A military coup by Gen. Georgios Kondilis brings down the Pangalos dictatorship.
• 1975: The trial of George Papadopoulos, Stylianos Pattakos, Nikolaos Makarezos and other Junta members ends with the three former strongmen found guilty of insurrection and treason. They are sentenced to death.

Sports

• 1999: Anastasia Kelesidou wins the silver medal in discus (66.05m) at the Sevilla World Championships.
• 2004: 22-year-old Athanasia Tsoumeleka wins the gold medal (1:29.12) in the 20.000km walking race at the Athens Olympic Games.

Births

• 1864: Eleftherios Venizelos, politician
• 1957: Tasos Mitropoulos, footballer, politician