On May 23, 1813, South American independence leader Simón Bolívar entered Mérida, where he was proclaimed El Libertador (“The Liberator”), leading the invasion of Venezuela.
Other May 23 events include:
1788: South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
1900: Sergeant William Harvey Carney became the first African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor, for his heroism in a Civil War battle fought 37 years prior, in 1863.
1958: Birthday of American comedian and game show host Drew Carey.