1. On January 23, 1847, the Battle of La Mesa took place during the Mexican-American War. American forces, led by General Stephen W. Kearny, defeated Mexican forces, securing California for the United States.

2. January 23, 1957 marked the beginning of the Whittier Narrows earthquake swarm, a series of earthquakes centered near the city of Whittier. The largest earthquake in the swarm, with a magnitude of 5.9, occurred on February 9.

3. In 1967, the famous Sunset Strip curfew riots erupted in Los Angeles. The riots were sparked by a protest against a newly-enforced curfew for teenagers on the Strip, and lasted for several days.

4. On January 23, 1986, the beloved Disneyland attraction "Captain EO" premiered. The 3D film, starring Michael Jackson, was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas.

5. In 2002, the Oakland Raiders advanced to Super Bowl XXXVII after defeating the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game on January 23. The Raiders ultimately lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII.