Johann Sebastian Bach

Historical eventDecember 261723

Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach (pictured) directed the premiere of Darzu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes, his first Christmas cantata composed in Leipzig.

Everything on December 26Original source

In context

When
Sunday, December 26 1723303 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
18th century · 1720s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

The Gregorian calendar was in use in Catholic Europe from 1582, but Britain and its colonies kept the Julian calendar until 14 September 1752 — sources from those places may date this event 10–11 days earlier.

At a glance

Dates: From 1723.

What happened

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period. He is known for his prolific output across a variety of instruments and forms, including the orchestral Brandenburg Concertos; solo instrumental works such as the Cello Suites and Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin; keyboard works such as the Goldberg Variations and The Well-Tempered Clavier; organ works such as the Schübler Chorales and the Toccata and Fugue in D minor; and choral works such as the St.

December 26 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1723Johann Sebastian Bach
  2. 20032003 Bam earthquake
  3. 2004Orange Revolution
  4. 20042004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
  5. 20062006 Hengchun earthquakes
  6. 2012High-speed rail in China
  7. 2013Yakovlev Corporation
  8. 20152015 Garland tornado
  9. 20212021 Garland shooting
  10. 2025Israel
  11. 2025Israel–Somaliland relations

Also in 1723

  • September 14António Manoel de VilhenaAntónio Manoel de Vilhena, Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller, laid the first stone of Fort Manoel in Malta.
  • July 18Johann Sebastian BachJohann Sebastian Bach directed the first performance of his cantata Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz in Leipzig.
  • November 7O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 60O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 60, a dialogue cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach for Leipzig, was first performed.
  • May 30Johann Sebastian BachJohann Sebastian Bach assumed the office of Thomaskantor in Leipzig, presenting the cantata Die Elenden sollen essen in St. Nicholas Church.

Everything we record for 1723 →

Sources

Cite this page

“Johann Sebastian Bach”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/johann-sebastian-bach-1723-december-26, accessed October 25, 2026.

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Questions about this entry

When did Johann Sebastian Bach happen?

December 26 1723 — 303 years ago, on a Sunday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

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