January 24

Historic Events

2026

At least 70 people are killed and 10 others missing after major landslides in West Java, Indonesia. ›

2024

An Ilyushin Il-76 crashes in Russia's Korochansky District, killing all 74 people on board. ›

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. ›

2011

At least 35 are killed and 180 injured in a bombing at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport. ›

2009

Cyclone Klaus makes landfall near Bordeaux, France, causing 26 deaths as well as extensive disruptions to public transport and power supplies. ›

2003

The United States Department of Homeland Security officially begins operation. ›

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. ›

1988

An Aeroflot Yakovlev Yak-40 crashes at Nizhnevartovsk Airport, killing 27 people. ›

1987

About 20,000 protestors march in a civil rights demonstration in Forsyth County, Georgia, United States. ›

1986

The Voyager 2 space probe makes its closest approach to Uranus. ›

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. ›

1977

The Atocha massacre occurs in Madrid during the Spanish transition to democracy. ›

1972

Japanese Sgt. Shoichi Yokoi is found hiding in a Guam jungle, where he had been since the end of World War II. ›

1966

Air India Flight 101 crashes into Mont Blanc. ›

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. ›

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. ›

1946

The United Nations General Assembly passes its first resolution to establish the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission. ›

1943

World War II: Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill conclude a conference in Casablanca. ›

1942

World War II: The Allies bombard Bangkok, leading Thailand, then under Japanese control, to declare war against the United States and United Kingdom. ›

1939

The deadliest earthquake in Chilean history strikes Chillán, killing approximately 28,000 people. ›

1935

Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company starts selling the first canned beer. ›

1933

The 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, changing the beginning and end of terms for all elected federal offices. ›

1918

The Gregorian calendar is introduced in Russia by decree of the Council of People's Commissars effective February 14 (New Style). ›

1916

In Brushaber v. Union Pacific Railroad Co., the Supreme Court of the United States declares the federal income tax constitutional. ›

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. ›

1908

The first Boy Scout troop is organized in England by Robert Baden-Powell. ›

1900

Second Boer War: Boers stop a British attempt to break the Siege of Ladysmith in the Battle of Spion Kop. ›

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. ›

1857

The University of Calcutta is formally founded as the first fully fledged university in South Asia. ›

1848

California Gold Rush: James W. Marshall finds gold at Sutter's Mill near Sacramento. ›

1835

Slaves in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, stage a revolt, which is instrumental in ending slavery there 50 years later. ›

1817

Crossing of the Andes: Many soldiers of Juan Gregorio de las Heras are captured during the action of Picheuta. ›

1758

During the Seven Years' War the leading burghers of Königsberg submit to Elizabeth of Russia, thus forming Russian Prussia (until 1763). ›

1742

Charles VII Albert becomes Holy Roman Emperor. ›

1679

King Charles II of England dissolves the Cavalier Parliament. ›

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. ›

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. ›

1458

Matthias Corvinus is elected King of Hungary. ›

1438

The Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV. ›

914

Start of the First Fatimid invasion of Egypt. ›

41

Claudius is proclaimed Roman emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula. ›