October 24 holds a significant place in history with events that have shaped the world. From the establishment of global alliances to economic crises that altered lives, this date marks turning points worth exploring. Notable births and cultural milestones also pepper its timeline, offering a diverse tapestry of human achievement and tragedy. What specific moments define this day? Uncover the stories that continue to resonate through time.
History
Major Historical Events
1836 – First Patent for a Phosphorus Match: On this day, Alonzo Dwight Phillips of Springfield, Massachusetts, received the first American patent for a phosphorus match, revolutionizing the way people started fires.
This invention made matches more reliable and accessible, paving the way for modern safety matches.
1929 – Black Thursday Stock Market Crash: The infamous Black Thursday marked the beginning of the Wall Street Crash of 1929, when the New York Stock Exchange saw a record 12.9 million shares traded in a single day.
Panic selling triggered a massive drop in stock prices, signaling the start of the Great Depression, one of the most devastating economic crises in history.
1945 – Founding of the United Nations: The United Nations officially came into existence on October 24, 1945, after the Charter of the United Nations was ratified by the majority of its signatory states, including the five permanent members of the Security Council.
This international organization was established to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations following the devastation of World War II.
2003 – Concorde’s Final Flight: The supersonic Concorde made its last commercial flight on this day, operated by British Airways from New York to London.
After nearly three decades of service, the iconic aircraft was retired due to high operating costs and declining passenger numbers following a tragic crash in 2000.
Famous Birthdays
51 – Domitian, Roman Emperor: Born on October 24, 51 AD, Domitian would go on to become a Roman emperor from 81 to 96 AD.
Known for his authoritarian rule, he strengthened the empire’s borders and restored a damaged economy, though his reign was marred by conflict with the Senate.
1882 – Sybil Thorndike, British Actress: Sybil Thorndike, a celebrated British actress, was born on this day in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
Renowned for her powerful stage performances, she became a leading figure in British theater and was later made a Dame for her contributions to the arts.
1980 – Monica, American Singer-Songwriter: Monica Denise Arnold, known simply as Monica, was born on October 24 in College Park, Georgia.
Rising to fame in the 1990s with hits like “The Boy Is Mine,” she became a prominent R&B artist, earning multiple Grammy nominations throughout her career.
1986 – Drake, Canadian Rapper and Actor: Aubrey Drake Graham, better known as Drake, was born on this day in Toronto, Canada.
Starting as an actor on the teen drama “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” he shifted into music, becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time with chart-topping albums and singles.
1989 – PewDiePie, Swedish YouTuber: Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, known online as PewDiePie, was born on October 24 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
As one of the most subscribed individuals on YouTube, he gained fame through gaming commentary and comedic content, shaping internet culture over the years.
Notable Deaths
1537 – Jane Seymour, Queen of England: Jane Seymour, the third wife of King Henry VIII, passed away on this day at Hampton Court Palace, just 12 days after giving birth to the future King Edward VI.
Her death, likely due to childbirth complications, deeply affected Henry, who considered her his most beloved wife.
1944 – Louis Renault, French Industrialist: Louis Renault, co-founder of the Renault automobile company, died on October 24 in a Paris prison under controversial circumstances.
Accused of collaborating with the Nazis during World War II, his death marked a tragic end to a career that had revolutionized the automotive industry.
1972 – Jackie Robinson, American Baseball Player: Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era, died on this day in Stamford, Connecticut, at the age of 53.
His groundbreaking career with the Brooklyn Dodgers shattered racial barriers in sports and inspired the civil rights movement.
Today in Music History
1857 – Founding of Sheffield F.C.: While not directly related to music, the founding of Sheffield F.C., the world’s oldest football club, on October 24 indirectly influenced music culture through the development of sports anthems and fan chants that became integral to football matches worldwide.
1979 – Paul McCartney’s Guinness Record: On this day, Paul McCartney received a rhodium-plated disc from the Guinness Book of World Records, recognizing him as the most successful composer and recording artist of all time, proof of his enduring influence with The Beatles and as a solo artist.
1995 – Release of Smashing Pumpkins’ “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness”: The Smashing Pumpkins released their ambitious double album “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” on October 24, which became a defining work of alternative rock.
Featuring hits like “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” it earned critical acclaim and multiple Grammy nominations.
2006 – Taylor Swift’s Debut Album: Taylor Swift released her self-titled debut album on this day, marking the start of her journey to becoming one of the biggest pop and country stars in the world.
Songs like “Tim McGraw” introduced her heartfelt storytelling to a wide audience.
Today in Sports History
1901 – First Woman to Go Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel: Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel on October 24, achieving this daring feat on her 63rd birthday.
Her stunt captured global attention and highlighted the era’s fascination with extreme challenges.
1973 – Yom Kippur War Ceasefire in Sports Context: Though primarily a military event, the ceasefire of the Yom Kippur War on October 24 had implications for international sports, as tensions in the Middle East often affected athlete participation and event scheduling in global competitions like the Olympics.
2007 – Boston Red Sox Win World Series Game 1: On this day, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Colorado Rockies in Game 1 of the World Series, setting the stage for a sweep that would secure their second championship in four years, cementing their resurgence in Major League Baseball.
Today in Military and Naval History
1861 – Completion of the First Transcontinental Telegraph Line: On October 24, the first transcontinental telegraph line across the United States was completed, a critical development during the Civil War era.
This allowed faster military communication between the East and West coasts, greatly impacting strategy and coordination.
1917 – Battle of Caporetto Begins: The Battle of Caporetto, also known as the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, started on this day during World War I, fought between Italian forces and the Central Powers.
The devastating Italian defeat led to a major retreat and a shift in military tactics on the Italian front.
1944 – Battle of Leyte Gulf Continues: On October 24, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history, was in full swing in the Pacific Theater of World War II.
This engagement marked a decisive Allied victory over Japan, weakening their naval power greatly.
Today in Tech and Science History
1901 – First Successful Barrel Trip Over Niagara Falls: As mentioned earlier, Annie Edson Taylor’s successful descent over Niagara Falls in a custom-made barrel on this day showcased early engineering ingenuity.
The barrel’s design demonstrated practical applications of physics and material science for extreme conditions.
1998 – Launch of Deep Space 1: NASA launched Deep Space 1 on October 24, a spacecraft designed to test new technologies, including ion propulsion.
This mission marked a significant step forward in space exploration, paving the way for more efficient interplanetary travel.
2007 – Chang’e 1 Launch by China: China launched its first lunar probe, Chang’e 1, on this day, marking a milestone in its space program.
The spacecraft successfully orbited the Moon, collecting data and images that contributed to future lunar exploration missions.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1632 – Birth of Antonie van Leeuwenhoek: Though primarily a scientist, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, born on October 24, indirectly influenced art through his pioneering work in microscopy.
His detailed observations of microorganisms inspired scientific illustrations that bridged art and science.
1926 – Harry Houdini’s Last Performance: On this day, the legendary magician Harry Houdini gave his final performance at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit, Michigan, just days before his death.
His groundbreaking escape acts and showmanship left an indelible mark on popular culture and entertainment.
1988 – Premiere of “Mystic Pizza”: The film “Mystic Pizza,” starring Julia Roberts, premiered on October 24, launching Roberts into stardom.
This coming-of-age story became a cultural touchstone of the late 1980s, reflecting small-town life and personal aspirations.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1901 – Annie Edson Taylor’s Niagara Stunt Motive: Annie Edson Taylor, who went over Niagara Falls in a barrel on this day, reportedly did so hoping to gain fame and fortune.
Ironically, she struggled financially afterward, as her manager allegedly ran off with the barrel, a key piece of her publicity.
2008 – World’s Largest Pumpkin Pie Record Attempt: On October 24, bakers in New Bremen, Ohio, created what was then the world’s largest pumpkin pie, weighing over 3,699 pounds.
This quirky achievement highlighted the town’s annual Pumpkinfest and their love for oversized desserts.
Today in History for Kids
1945 – United Nations is Born: On October 24, a very important group called the United Nations started.
It’s like a big club where countries work together to keep peace, help people, and solve problems around the world.
Imagine it as a superhero team for the whole planet!
2003 – Concorde Says Goodbye: A super-fast airplane called the Concorde flew for the last time on this day.
It could zoom across the ocean in just a few hours, faster than any other plane, but it was very expensive to keep flying, so it had to stop.
1901 – Brave Lady in a Barrel: A brave woman named Annie Edson Taylor went over Niagara Falls in a big barrel on October 24.
She was the first person to do this and survive, showing everyone that sometimes people can do really daring things!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1929 – Black Thursday’s Staggering Numbers: During the Black Thursday crash on October 24, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 11% in a single day, an unprecedented loss at the time.
Investors lost billions, and the event became a symbol of financial panic.
1945 – United Nations’ Original Members: When the United Nations was founded on this day, it started with 51 member countries.
Today, it has grown to 193 members, showing how much the world has come together to solve big problems.
2007 – China’s Lunar Ambition: The launch of Chang’e 1 on October 24 marked China as only the third country to send a spacecraft to orbit the Moon, following the United States and the Soviet Union, highlighting the growing global interest in space exploration.
1861 – Telegraph Changes the Game: The completion of the transcontinental telegraph line on this day meant that messages that once took weeks to travel across the U.S. by horse or ship could now be sent in minutes, changing communication forever.