On December 23rd:

 1888  Vincent van Gogh Cuts Off His Ear

On this day in 1888, the renowned artist Vincent van Gogh cut off part of his left ear during a moment of intense emotional turmoil. This incident is one of the most infamous episodes in art history.

 1913  The Federal Reserve System is Established

December 23rd, 1913, saw the establishment of the Federal Reserve System in the United States, a pivotal moment in the nation’s financial history. The Fed was created to provide a stable monetary and financial system.

1947  The Transistor is Demonstrated

A revolutionary breakthrough occurred on December 23rd, 1947, when physicists John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley at Bell Labs successfully demonstrated the transistor. This invention laid the foundation for modern electronics.