November 24 has witnessed a range of significant historical events that shaped the world in diverse ways. From the English conquest of Jamaica in 1655 to the groundbreaking publication of Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” in 1859, this date holds a unique place in time. What other pivotal moments unfolded on this day, and how did they influence history? There’s much more to uncover about November 24.
History
Major Historical Events
1655 – English Conquest of Jamaica Begins: On this day, English forces under the command of Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables set sail to capture Spanish territories in the Caribbean. This marked the beginning of the campaign that would eventually lead to the conquest of Jamaica in the following year. This was part of the larger Anglo-Spanish War during the Commonwealth of England.
1859 – Publication of “On the Origin of Species”: Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking book, “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection,” was first published on November 24. This work introduced the theory of evolution through natural selection. It fundamentally changed the scientific understanding of biology and sparked widespread debate.
1963 – Lee Harvey Oswald Assassinated: Just two days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin, was fatally shot by nightclub owner Jack Ruby in Dallas, Texas. He was shot while being transferred from police headquarters to jail. The event was broadcast live on television, shocking the nation.
1971 – D.B. Cooper Hijacking: An unidentified man known as D.B. Cooper hijacked a Boeing 727 aircraft in the United States. He extorted $200,000 in ransom and parachuted out of the plane over the Pacific Northwest. He disappeared without a trace. This remains one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in FBI history.
Famous Birthdays
1864 – Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: The French painter and illustrator, known for his vibrant depictions of Parisian nightlife and the bohemian culture of the late 19th century, was born on this day in Albi, France. His works, including posters for the Moulin Rouge, remain iconic in art history.
1946 – Ted Bundy: The notorious American serial killer, who confessed to murdering at least 30 young women during the 1970s, was born on November 24 in Burlington, Vermont. His crimes and subsequent trials captured national attention.
1962 – John Kovalic: An American cartoonist and writer, best known for creating the comic strip “Dork Tower” and contributing to games like “Munchkin,” was born on this day in Manchester, England. His work has become a staple in geek and gaming culture.
1978 – Katherine Heigl: The American actress and producer, recognized for her roles in television series like “Grey’s Anatomy” and films such as “27 Dresses,” was born on November 24 in Washington, D.C. She has become a prominent figure in entertainment.
1990 – Sarah Hyland: An American actress, known for her role as Haley Dunphy on the hit sitcom “Modern Family,” was born on this day in New York City. Her performance earned her critical acclaim and several award nominations.
Notable Deaths
1929 – Georges Clemenceau: The French statesman who served as Prime Minister of France during World War I and played a key role in negotiating the Treaty of Versailles, passed away on November 24 in Paris at the age of 88. His leadership was instrumental during a critical period in history.
1963 – Lee Harvey Oswald: The man accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy was himself killed on this day by Jack Ruby in Dallas, Texas. He was killed while in police custody. His death added layers of complexity to the investigation of Kennedy’s murder.
1991 – Freddie Mercury: The legendary lead singer of the rock band Queen, known for his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence, died on November 24 in London from complications of AIDS. His music continues to inspire generations.
Today in Music History
1966 – The Beatles Begin Recording “Strawberry Fields Forever”: On this day, The Beatles started recording sessions for “Strawberry Fields Forever” at Abbey Road Studios in London. This innovative track, written by John Lennon, became one of their most iconic songs.
1976 – The Band’s Farewell Concert: The rock group The Band performed their final concert, known as “The Last Waltz,” on November 24 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The event, featuring guest artists like Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton, was later documented in a film by Martin Scorsese.
1991 – Freddie Mercury’s Death Announced: On this tragic day, the world learned of the death of Freddie Mercury, the iconic frontman of Queen. He had publicly confirmed he had AIDS just one day earlier. His passing marked a profound loss to the music industry.
Today in Sports History
1934 – First NFL Game Broadcast on Radio: On November 24, the first professional American football game was broadcast on radio as the Detroit Lions faced the Chicago Bears at the University of Detroit Stadium. This marked a significant moment in sports media history.
1960 – Wilt Chamberlain’s Rebounding Record: Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA record by grabbing 55 rebounds in a single game while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the Boston Celtics on this day. His performance remains one of the most dominant in basketball history.
2011 – Tim Tebow’s Iconic Comeback: Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow led a dramatic comeback against the San Diego Chargers on November 24. This solidified his reputation for clutch performances during the NFL season.
Today in Military and Naval History
1655 – English Fleet Sails for Caribbean Campaign: On this day, an English fleet under Admiral William Penn departed for the West Indies as part of Oliver Cromwell’s Western Design. This was a plan to challenge Spanish dominance in the region. This campaign eventually led to the capture of Jamaica.
1944 – First B-29 Bombing Raid on Tokyo: During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces launched the first bombing raid on Tokyo using B-29 Superfortress bombers from bases in the Mariana Islands on November 24. This marked a significant escalation in the Pacific Theater.
1970 – U.S. Attempt to Rescue POWs in Vietnam: On this day, U.S. forces conducted the Son Tay Raid. This was an attempt to rescue American prisoners of war held in North Vietnam. Although the mission found no prisoners at the camp, it demonstrated advanced military tactics and planning.
Today in Tech and Science History
1859 – Darwin’s Evolutionary Theory Published: Charles Darwin’s seminal work, “On the Origin of Species,” was published on November 24. This introduced the concept of natural selection and revolutionized the field of biology. Its impact on science and society remains profound.
1974 – Discovery of “Lucy”: On this day, paleoanthropologists Donald Johanson and Tom Gray discovered the fossilized remains of “Lucy,” a 3.2-million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis skeleton, in Hadar, Ethiopia. This find provided critical evidence of early human evolution.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1713 – Birth of Laurence Sterne: English novelist and clergyman Laurence Sterne, best known for his innovative work “Tristram Shandy,” was born on November 24 in Clonmel, Ireland. His unique narrative style influenced modern literature.
1859 – Darwin’s Cultural Impact Begins: With the publication of “On the Origin of Species” on this day, Charles Darwin not only transformed science but also sparked cultural and religious debates. These debates shaped intellectual discourse for centuries.
1933 – First “King Kong” Film Screening: While the official release was later, some sources note that early test screenings of the original “King Kong” film occurred around November 24. This introduced audiences to one of the most iconic monsters in cinema history.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1971 – D.B. Cooper’s Mysterious Escape: On this day, a man using the alias D.B. Cooper hijacked a plane, demanded a ransom, and parachuted into the night over Washington State. He was never to be seen again. His audacious escape remains one of the weirdest unsolved crimes in history.
1996 – Giant Turkey Pardoned: In a lighthearted moment, President Bill Clinton participated in the annual tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey on November 24. This spared the bird from becoming dinner in a quirky White House ceremony.
Today in History for Kids
1859 – A Big Book About Animals: A scientist named Charles Darwin wrote a special book called “On the Origin of Species” on November 24. It told everyone how animals and plants change over a long, long time to become better at living in their homes.
1974 – Finding an Old Friend Named Lucy: On this day, scientists found very old bones in Africa of a creature they named “Lucy.” She lived millions of years ago and helped us learn how people started walking on two legs.
1976 – A Band Says Goodbye: A music group called The Band played their very last show on November 24. They had lots of friends like Bob Dylan come sing with them. It was turned into a movie so everyone could watch!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1642 – Abel Tasman Discovers Tasmania: On November 24, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight the island now known as Tasmania, off the coast of Australia. He initially named it Van Diemen’s Land.
1969 – Apollo 12 Returns to Earth: On this day, the Apollo 12 mission, the second manned moon landing, safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after a successful trip. Astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean had walked on the lunar surface.
1971 – D.B. Cooper’s Vanishing Act: The mysterious hijacker D.B. Cooper pulled off one of the most daring crimes in history on November 24. He parachuted from a plane with ransom money and disappeared forever.
1995 – Ireland Legalizes Divorce: On this day, Ireland voted in a referendum to legalize divorce. This made Ireland one of the last countries in Europe to do so after a close and historic vote.