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On This Day in History — January 24
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Highlights of January 24
- 1990 — Japan launched the Hiten spacecraft (pictured), the first lunar probe launched by a country other than the Soviet Union or the United States. Read more
- 1987 — About 20,000 protestors marched in a civil rights demonstration in Forsyth County, Georgia, United States. Read more
- 1978 — The Soviet nuclear-powered satellite Kosmos 954 burned up during atmospheric reentry, scattering radioactive debris across Canada's Northwest Territories. Read more
- 1977 — Spanish transition to democracy: Neo-fascists attacked an office in Madrid, killing five people and injuring four others. Read more
- 1972 — Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi was found in the jungles of Guam, where he had been hiding since the end of World War II. Read more
- 1968 — Vietnam War: The 1st Australian Task Force launched Operation Coburg against the North Vietnamese army and the Viet Cong. Read more
- 1961 — A Boeing B-52 Stratofortress carrying two Mark 39 nuclear weapons broke up in mid-air near Goldsboro, North Carolina; one bomb was recovered intact, the other disintegrated. Read more
- 1913 — Greek military aviators Michael Moutoussis and Aristeidis Moraitinis performed the first naval air mission in history, with a Farman MF.7 hydroplane. Read more
- 1857 — The University of Calcutta was established as the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent. Read more
- 1848 — James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill (reconstruction pictured) in Coloma, California, leading to the California gold rush. Read more
- 1458 — The Estates unanimously proclaimed 14-year-old Matthias Corvinus King of Hungary after being persuaded to do so by his uncle Michael Szilágyi. Read more
- 914 — The Fatimid Caliphate began their first invasion of Egypt, against the Abbasids, which eventually ended in failure. Read more
- 771 — Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Yopaat dedicated a 65-ton stele, the largest stone known to be quarried by the Maya civilization, at his city of Quiriguá. Read more
- 41 — Roman emperor Caligula was murdered by Cassius Chaerea and other members of the Praetorian Guard, who proclaimed Claudius to be the new emperor. Read more
Events
- 2026 — At least 70 people are killed and 10 others missing after major landslides in West Java, Indonesia. Read more
- 2024 — An Ilyushin Il-76 crashes in Russia's Korochansky District, killing all 74 people on board. Read more
- 2018 — Former doctor Larry Nassar is sentenced up to 175 years in prison after being found guilty of using his position to sexually abuse female gymnasts. Read more
- 2011 — At least 35 are killed and 180 injured in a bombing at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport. Read more
- 2009 — Cyclone Klaus makes landfall near Bordeaux, France, causing 26 deaths as well as extensive disruptions to public transport and power supplies. Read more
- 2003 — The United States Department of Homeland Security officially begins operation. Read more
- 1990 — Japan launches Hiten, the country's first lunar probe, the first robotic lunar probe since the Soviet Union's Luna 24 in 1976, and the first lunar probe launched by a country other than Soviet Union or the United States. Read more
- 1988 — An Aeroflot Yakovlev Yak-40 crashes at Nizhnevartovsk Airport, killing 27 people. Read more
- 1987 — About 20,000 protestors march in a civil rights demonstration in Forsyth County, Georgia, United States. Read more
- 1986 — The Voyager 2 space probe makes its closest approach to Uranus. Read more
- 1978 — Soviet satellite Kosmos 954, with a nuclear reactor on board, burns up in Earth's atmosphere, scattering radioactive debris over Canada's Northwest Territories. Only 1% is recovered. Read more
- 1977 — The Atocha massacre occurs in Madrid during the Spanish transition to democracy. Read more
- 1972 — Japanese Sgt. Shoichi Yokoi is found hiding in a Guam jungle, where he had been since the end of World War II. Read more
- 1968 — Vietnam War: The 1st Australian Task Force launches Operation Coburg against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong during wider fighting around Long Bình and Biên Hòa. Read more
- 1966 — Air India Flight 101 crashes into Mont Blanc. Read more
- 1961 — Goldsboro B-52 crash: A bomber carrying two H-bombs breaks up in mid-air over North Carolina. The uranium core of one weapon remains lost. Read more
- 1960 — Algerian War: Some units of European volunteers in Algiers stage an insurrection known as the "barricades week", during which they seize government buildings and clash with local police. Read more
- 1946 — The United Nations General Assembly passes its first resolution to establish the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission. Read more
- 1943 — World War II: Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill conclude a conference in Casablanca. Read more
- 1942 — World War II: The Allies bombard Bangkok, leading Thailand, then under Japanese control, to declare war against the United States and United Kingdom. Read more
- 1939 — The deadliest earthquake in Chilean history strikes Chillán, killing approximately 28,000 people. Read more
- 1935 — Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company starts selling the first canned beer. Read more
- 1933 — The 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, changing the beginning and end of terms for all elected federal offices. Read more
- 1918 — The Gregorian calendar is introduced in Russia by decree of the Council of People's Commissars effective February 14 (New Style). Read more
- 1916 — In Brushaber v. Union Pacific Railroad Co., the Supreme Court of the United States declares the federal income tax constitutional. Read more
- 1915 — World War I: British Grand Fleet battle cruisers under Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty engage Rear-Admiral Franz von Hipper's battle cruisers in the Battle of Dogger Bank. Read more
- 1908 — The first Boy Scout troop is organized in England by Robert Baden-Powell. Read more
- 1900 — Second Boer War: Boers stop a British attempt to break the Siege of Ladysmith in the Battle of Spion Kop. Read more
- 1859 — The United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia (later named Romania) is formed as a personal union under the rule of Domnitor Alexandru Ioan Cuza. Read more
- 1857 — The University of Calcutta is formally founded as the first fully fledged university in South Asia. Read more
- 1848 — California Gold Rush: James W. Marshall finds gold at Sutter's Mill near Sacramento. Read more
- 1835 — Slaves in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, stage a revolt, which is instrumental in ending slavery there 50 years later. Read more
- 1817 — Crossing of the Andes: Many soldiers of Juan Gregorio de las Heras are captured during the action of Picheuta. Read more
- 1758 — During the Seven Years' War the leading burghers of Königsberg submit to Elizabeth of Russia, thus forming Russian Prussia (until 1763). Read more
- 1742 — Charles VII Albert becomes Holy Roman Emperor. Read more
- 1679 — King Charles II of England dissolves the Cavalier Parliament. Read more
- 1651 — Arauco War: Spanish and Mapuche authorities meet in the Parliament of Boroa renewing the fragile peace established at the parliaments of Quillín in 1641 and 1647. Read more
- 1536 — King Henry VIII of England suffers an accident while jousting, leading to a brain injury that historians say may have influenced his later erratic behaviour and possible impotence. Read more
- 1458 — Matthias Corvinus is elected King of Hungary. Read more
- 1438 — The Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV. Read more
- 914 — Start of the First Fatimid invasion of Egypt. Read more
- 41 — Claudius is proclaimed Roman emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula. Read more
Born on January 24
- 2012 — Princess Athena of Denmark Read more
- 2003 — Johnny Orlando, Canadian singer and songwriter Read more
- 1999 — Vitalie Damașcan, Moldovan footballer Read more
- 1999 — Niki, Indonesian singer and songwriter Read more
- 1999 — Tristan Wirfs, American football player Read more
- 1991 — Zhan Beleniuk, Ukrainian Greco-Roman wrestler Read more
- 1991 — Tatiana Kashirina, Russian weightlifter Read more
- 1991 — Zack Kassian, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
- 1990 — Mao Abe, Japanese singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
- 1989 — Gong Lijiao, Chinese shot putter Read more
- 1989 — Whit Merrifield, American baseball player Read more
- 1989 — José Quintana, Colombian baseball player Read more
- 1989 — Ki Sung-yueng, South Korean footballer Read more
- 1988 — Selina Jörg, German snowboarder Read more
- 1988 — DaJuan Summers, American basketball player Read more
- 1987 — Brian Cushing, American football player Read more
- 1987 — Luis Suárez, Uruguayan footballer Read more
- 1987 — Kia Vaughn, American-Czech basketball player Read more
- 1987 — Guan Xin, Chinese basketball player Read more
- 1986 — Cristiano Araújo, Brazilian singer-songwriter (died 2015) Read more
- 1986 — Mischa Barton, English-American actress Read more
- 1986 — Tyler Flowers, American baseball player Read more
- 1986 — Vladislav Ivanov, Russian footballer Read more
- 1986 — Sean McVay, American football coach Read more
- 1984 — Justin Baldoni, American actor, director, and producer Read more
- 1984 — Paulo Sérgio, Portuguese footballer Read more
- 1983 — Davide Biondini, Italian footballer Read more
- 1983 — Shaun Maloney, Scottish footballer Read more
- 1983 — Scott Speed, American race car driver Read more
- 1981 — Carrie Coon, American actress Read more
- 1981 — Zaur Hashimov, Azerbaijani footballer and manager Read more
- 1981 — Elena Kolomina, Kazakhstani cross country skier Read more
- 1980 — Jofre Mateu, Spanish footballer Read more
- 1980 — Suzy, Portuguese singer Read more
- 1979 — Tatyana Ali, American actress and singer Read more
- 1979 — Leandro Desábato, Argentinian footballer Read more
- 1979 — Busy Signal, Jamaican dancehall reggae artist Read more
- 1979 — Nik Wallenda, American acrobat Read more
- 1978 — Veerle Baetens, Belgian actress and singer Read more
- 1978 — Mark Hildreth, Canadian actor and musician Read more
Died on January 24
- 2025 — Iris Cummings, American swimmer and aviator (born 1920) Read more
- 2019 — Rosemary Bryant Mariner, American United States Naval Aviator (born 1953) Read more
- 2018 — Mark E. Smith, British singer-songwriter (born 1957) Read more
- 2017 — Helena Kmieć, Polish Roman Catholic missionary (born 1991) Read more
- 2017 — Butch Trucks, American drummer (born 1947) Read more
- 2016 — Fredrik Barth, German-Norwegian anthropologist and academic (born 1928) Read more
- 2016 — Marvin Minsky, American computer scientist and academic (born 1927) Read more
- 2016 — Henry Worsley, English colonel and explorer (born 1960) Read more
- 2015 — Otto Carius, German lieutenant and pharmacist (born 1922) Read more
- 2014 — Shulamit Aloni, Israeli lawyer and politician, 11th Israeli Minister of Education (born 1928) Read more
- 2014 — Rafael Pineda Ponce, Honduran academic and politician (born 1930) Read more
- 2011 — Bernd Eichinger, German director and producer (born 1949) Read more
- 2010 — Pernell Roberts, American actor (born 1928) Read more
- 2008 — Usha Narayanan, Burmese-born First Lady of India (born 1922) Read more
- 2007 — Krystyna Feldman, Polish actress (born 1916) Read more
- 2007 — İsmail Cem İpekçi, Turkish journalist and politician, 45th Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs (born 1940) Read more
- 2007 — Guadalupe Larriva, Ecuadorian academic and politician (born 1956) Read more
- 2007 — Emiliano Mercado del Toro, Puerto Rican-American soldier (born 1891) Read more
- 2006 — Schafik Handal, Salvadoran politician (born 1930) Read more
- 2004 — Leônidas, Brazilian footballer and manager (born 1913) Read more
- 2003 — Gianni Agnelli, Italian businessman (born 1921) Read more
- 2002 — Elie Hobeika, Lebanese commander and politician (born 1956) Read more
- 2001 — Gaffar Okkan, Turkish police chief (born 1952) Read more
- 1993 — Gustav Ernesaks, Estonian composer and conductor (born 1908) Read more
- 1993 — Thurgood Marshall, American lawyer and jurist, 32nd United States Solicitor General (born 1908) Read more
- 1993 — Uğur Mumcu, Turkish investigative journalist (born 1942) Read more
- 1992 — Ken Darby, American composer and conductor (born 1909) Read more
- 1990 — Madge Bellamy, American actress (born 1899) Read more
- 1989 — Ted Bundy, American serial killer (born 1946) Read more
- 1988 — Werner Fenchel, German-Danish mathematician and academic (born 1905) Read more
- 1986 — L. Ron Hubbard, American religious leader and author, founded the Church of Scientology (born 1911) Read more
- 1986 — Gordon MacRae, American actor and singer (born 1921) Read more
- 1983 — George Cukor, American director and producer (born 1899) Read more
- 1982 — Alfredo Ovando Candía, Bolivian general and politician, 56th President of Bolivia (born 1918) Read more
- 1975 — Larry Fine, American comedian (born 1902) Read more
- 1973 — J. Carrol Naish, American actor (born 1896) Read more
- 1971 — Bill W., American activist, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (born 1895) Read more
- 1970 — Caresse Crosby, American fashion designer and publisher, co-founded the Black Sun Press (born 1891) Read more
- 1966 — Homi J. Bhabha, Indian physicist and academic (born 1909) Read more
- 1965 — Winston Churchill, English statesman, soldier, and writer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1874) Read more
Holidays & observances
Christian feast day:
Babylas of Antioch; Christian feast day:
Exuperantius of Cingoli; Christian feast day:
Felician of Foligno; Christian feast day:
Francis de Sales; Christian feast day:
Blessed Marie Poussepin; Christian feast day:
Pratulin Martyrs (Greek Catholic Church); Christian feast day:
January 24 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Day of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities (Romania); Feast of Our Lady of Peace (Roman Catholic Church), and its related observances:
Feria de Alasitas (La Paz); Uttar Pradesh Day (Uttar Pradesh, India); National Girl Child Day (India)
Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “January 24”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.