July 24 stands as a significant date across centuries, marked by pivotal events that shaped history. From groundbreaking laws in France to monumental achievements in space exploration, this day encapsulates a wide range of human endeavors. Key figures were born, and others left lasting legacies. What specific moments defined this date, and how did they influence the world? Uncover the layers of July 24’s historical impact.
History
Major Historical Events
1793 – France Passes the First Copyright Law: On this day, France became one of the first countries to establish a formal copyright law.
It protected authors’ rights to their literary and artistic works for a limited period.
This landmark legislation laid the groundwork for modern intellectual property laws worldwide.
1847 – Brigham Young Arrives in Salt Lake Valley: Brigham Young, leader of the Latter-day Saints, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in present-day Utah with a group of Mormon pioneers.
This event marked the beginning of significant Mormon settlement in the region.
It shaped the history of the American West.
1911 – Machu Picchu Rediscovered: American historian Hiram Bingham III rediscovered the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru, hidden high in the Andes Mountains.
His findings brought global attention to this remarkable archaeological site.
It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1969 – Apollo 11 Splashdown: The Apollo 11 mission successfully concluded as astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.
This followed their historic moon landing.
The event marked the triumphant return of the first humans to walk on the moon.
1974 – Watergate Scandal Decision by Supreme Court: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in United States v. Nixon that President Richard Nixon had to turn over tape recordings of White House conversations related to the Watergate scandal.
This decision was a pivotal moment.
It led to Nixon’s resignation.
Famous Birthdays
1802 – Alexandre Dumas: The renowned French author of classics like “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo” was born on this day in Villers-Cotterêts, France.
His adventurous tales continue to captivate readers worldwide.
1897 – Amelia Earhart: The pioneering aviator, known for her daring flights and mysterious disappearance in 1937, was born in Atchison, Kansas.
Earhart became a symbol of courage and determination for women in aviation.
1969 – Jennifer Lopez: The American singer, actress, and dancer, often referred to as J.Lo, was born in The Bronx, New York.
She rose to fame with her music and films.
She became a global pop culture icon.
1982 – Anna Paquin: The New Zealand-Canadian actress, known for her roles in “The Piano” and the television series “True Blood,” was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She became one of the youngest winners of an Academy Award for her performance as a child actress.
1993 – Arissa LeBrock: The American model and reality TV personality, daughter of actor Steven Seagal, was born on this day.
She has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry through various appearances.
Notable Deaths
1862 – Martin Van Buren: The eighth President of the United States passed away on this day in Kinderhook, New York, at the age of 79.
Van Buren served from 1837 to 1841.
He was a key figure in shaping early American political parties.
1980 – Peter Sellers: The British actor and comedian, famous for his roles in “The Pink Panther” series and “Dr. Strangelove,” died on this day in London at the age of 54.
His unique comedic talent left a lasting impact on cinema.
2012 – Sherman Hemsley: The American actor, best known for playing George Jefferson in the sitcom “The Jeffersons,” passed away on this day in El Paso, Texas.
His character became an iconic figure in television history.
Today in Music History
1965 – Bob Dylan Goes Electric at Newport Folk Festival: Bob Dylan shocked fans and critics by performing with an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island.
This controversial moment marked a turning point in his career.
It also influenced the history of folk and rock music.
1987 – “La Bamba” Soundtrack Released: The soundtrack for the biographical film “La Bamba,” about the life of Ritchie Valens, was released on this day.
Performed by Los Lobos, the title track became a chart-topping hit.
It revived interest in Valens’ music.
1993 – U2’s “Zooropa” Hits the Charts: U2’s experimental album “Zooropa” reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart on this day.
The album blended electronic and alternative rock.
It showcased the band’s willingness to push musical boundaries.
Today in Sports History
1921 – Harvard Wins Henley Royal Regatta: Harvard University’s rowing team became the first American crew to win the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta in England on this day.
This victory marked a historic achievement in international rowing.
1983 – George Brett’s Pine Tar Incident: During a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees, George Brett’s home run was controversially disallowed due to excessive pine tar on his bat.
Though initially ruled out, the decision was later overturned.
This made it a legendary moment in MLB history.
2005 – Lance Armstrong Wins Seventh Tour de France: Lance Armstrong secured his seventh consecutive Tour de France title on this day, a record at the time.
Though later stripped of his titles due to doping allegations, his dominance in cycling remains a significant chapter in sports history.
2016 – Ken Griffey Jr. Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame: On this day, baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame with a record 99.3% of votes.
Known for his incredible athleticism, he became an icon of the sport.
Today in Military and Naval History
1814 – Battle of Lundy’s Lane in War of 1812: During the War of 1812, British and Canadian forces clashed with American troops in the Battle of Lundy’s Lane near Niagara Falls on this day.
One of the bloodiest battles of the war, it resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.
There was no clear victor.
1943 – Mussolini Removed from Power: Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was arrested and removed from power on this day after the Fascist Grand Council voted against him.
This marked a turning point in Italy’s involvement in World War II.
1944 – Operation Spring in WWII: Allied forces launched Operation Spring on this day during the Battle of Normandy in World War II.
Canadian troops faced fierce German resistance near Caen, France.
They suffered heavy losses in one of the costliest operations of the campaign.
Today in Tech and Science History
1950 – First Successful Rocket Launch from Cape Canaveral: The United States launched its first rocket, the Bumper 2, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on this day.
This event marked the beginning of America’s space exploration program at the now-iconic site.
1978 – First Test-Tube Baby Born: Louise Brown, the world’s first baby conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), was born on this day in Oldham, England.
Her birth revolutionized reproductive medicine.
It offered hope to millions of families.
1999 – Launch of Chandra X-Ray Observatory: NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory was deployed into space on this day via the Space Shuttle Columbia.
It has provided groundbreaking insights into black holes, neutron stars, and other cosmic phenomena.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1890 – Vincent van Gogh Shoots Himself: Though he would die two days later, Vincent van Gogh shot himself in the chest on this day near Auvers-sur-Oise, France.
His tragic end came after a prolific yet troubled career as one of history’s greatest artists.
1956 – Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis End Partnership: The iconic comedy duo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis performed their final show together on this day at the Copacabana in New York City.
Their split marked the end of one of the most successful partnerships in entertainment history.
1984 – Premiere of “Purple Rain”: The film “Purple Rain,” starring Prince, premiered on this day in Hollywood.
Accompanied by a chart-topping soundtrack, the movie became a cultural phenomenon.
It solidified Prince’s status as a music legend.
2000 – Release of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”: J.K. Rowling’s fourth book in the Harry Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” was released on this day in the United States.
It became a massive bestseller.
It further cemented the series’ global popularity.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1917 – First Doughnut Created for Soldiers: The Salvation Army created the first doughnut on this day to boost morale among American soldiers during World War I.
Volunteers known as “Doughnut Lassies” fried the treats in soldiers’ helmets.
This started a sweet tradition.
1959 – Kitchen Debate Between Nixon and Khrushchev: U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev engaged in an impromptu “Kitchen Debate” on this day at an American exhibition in Moscow.
Their argument over kitchen appliances became a quirky symbol of Cold War tensions.
1987 – Hulda Crooks Climbs Mount Whitney at 91: On this day, Hulda Crooks, affectionately known as “Grandma Whitney,” climbed Mount Whitney in California at the age of 91.
Her feat as the oldest woman to scale the peak remains an inspiring and unusual record.
Today in History for Kids
1847 – Pioneers Arrive in Utah: A long time ago, a group of people called Mormon pioneers, led by Brigham Young, reached a place called Salt Lake Valley.
They traveled a super long way to build new homes in what is now Utah.
They started a brand-new community.
1911 – A Hidden City Found: Imagine finding a secret city in the mountains!
That’s what happened when Hiram Bingham rediscovered Machu Picchu in Peru.
It was built by the Inca people hundreds of years ago and is now a famous place to learn about history.
1969 – Astronauts Return from the Moon: After walking on the moon for the very first time, astronauts from the Apollo 11 mission splashed down safely in the ocean.
They were heroes who showed the world that we could explore space!
1978 – First Baby Born in a Special Way: A little girl named Louise Brown was born in England.
She was extra special because she was the first baby to be born using a science trick called IVF.
It helps parents who can’t have babies on their own.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1534 – Jacques Cartier Claims Canada for France: French explorer Jacques Cartier planted a cross on the Gaspé Peninsula on this day, claiming the land for France.
This act marked an early step in the European colonization of Canada.
1909 – First Airplane Flight Across the English Channel: Louis Blériot became the first person to fly an airplane across the English Channel on this day.
He traveled from France to England in just 36 minutes.
His daring flight earned him international fame and a cash prize.
1946 – First Underwater Atomic Test: The United States conducted the first underwater nuclear explosion, known as Operation Crossroads Test Baker, on this day at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific.
This test demonstrated the destructive power of atomic weapons in a new environment.
1985 – Spuds MacKenzie Debuts: The famous advertising mascot Spuds MacKenzie, a bull terrier representing Bud Light beer, made his debut on this day.
The character became a pop culture sensation in the late 1980s.
2007 – Pratibha Patil Becomes India’s First Female President: On this day, Pratibha Patil was sworn in as the first female President of India.
Her election was a historic milestone for gender equality in Indian politics.