1. On July 23, 1821, the United States took possession of Florida from Spain. This event marked the end of Spanish rule in Florida, which had lasted nearly 300 years.

2. On July 23, 1862, the Battle of Gainesville took place during the American Civil War. Confederate forces under the command of General S.R. Gist successfully repelled an attack by Union forces under the command of General William W. Loring.

3. On July 23, 1896, the first automobile race in Florida was held in Jacksonville. The race covered a distance of 50 miles and was won by a car named "Locomobile."

4. On July 23, 1984, Vanessa Williams became the first African-American woman to be crowned Miss America. Williams, who was born in New York City, grew up in Millwood, a suburb of Westchester County.

5. On July 23, 2005, Lance Armstrong won his seventh consecutive Tour de France. The American cyclist, who had previously been diagnosed with testicular cancer, retired from professional cycling the following year.