The Intercontinental Hotel in Bucharest opens, becoming the second-tallest building in the city.

The Grand Hotel Bucharest is a 24-story 87 m (285 ft) high-rise five-star hotel situated near University Square, Bucharest, in Sector 1. Opened in 1971 as the Inter-Continental Bucharest, it is a city landmark.

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania. The metropolis stands on the River Dâmbovița in south-eastern Romania. Its population is officially estimated at 1.76 million residents within a greater metropolitan area of 2.3 million residents, which makes Bucharest the 8th most-populous city in the European Union. The city area measures 240 km² (93 sq mi) and comprises 6 districts (Sectoare), while the metropolitan area covers 1,811 km² (699 sq mi). Bucharest is a major cultural, political and economic hub, the country's seat of government, and the capital of the Muntenia region.

May 23 is the 143rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 222 days remain until the end of the year.