Also Within this year in history

After scandal-plagued U.S. President Warren G. Harding died unexpectedly, Vice President Calvin Coolidge ascended to the Oval Office. Adolf Hitler gained worldwide attention—and a five-year prison sentence—as leader of a failed coup in Munich, Germany, the Beer Hall Putsch. In Japan, a massive earthquake killed more than 140,000 people. And in Egypt, English archaeologist Howard Carter opened the sealed tomb of Tutankhamun, finding the ancient boy king’s mummified body in a solid-gold coffin.

Feb

16

African History

Archaeologist opens tomb of King Tut

On February 16, 1923, in Thebes, Egypt, English archaeologist Howard Carter enters the sealed burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen.

British archaeologists Howard Carter (1874 – 1939) (left) and Arthur Callender (died 1937) carry out the systematic removal of objects from the antechamber of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, better known as King Tut, with the assistance of an Egyptian laborer, Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt, 1923.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Sep

01

Natural Disasters & Environment

Japan’s Great Kanto Earthquake kills over 140,000

On September 1, 1923, a routine lunch hour in Japan's capital city of Tokyo and neighboring “City of Silk” Yokohama is disrupted when a massive, 7.9-magnitude earthquake strikes just before noon. The shaking causes more than half of Tokyo’s brick buildings, most of Yokohama’s buildings, and hundreds of thousands of homes to collapse, killing tens of thousands of people.

TOKYO, JAPAN – SEPTEMBER 01: Destroyed Asakusa Park and Ryounkaku Tower are seen after the Great Kanto Earthquake in September 1923 in Tokyo, Japan. The estimated Magnitude 7.9 strong earthquake hit Japan’s capital Tokyo and surrounding area, the death toll was estimated up to 105,000 people. Approximately 38,000 victims were killed by fire whirl engulfed the former Army Clothing Depot site, where people had evacuated.

The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images

History Every Day

Sign Up for "This Day in History"

Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day! Learn something new with key events in history, from the American Revolution to pop culture, crime and more.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.