Europa
- 41 AD: After the assassination of Emperor Caligula, Claudius is proclaimed Roman Emperor by the Praetorian Guard, marking a pivotal moment in Roman history.
- 1438: The Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV, an important event in the history of the Catholic Church.
- 1458: Matthias Corvinus is elected King of Hungary, shaping the future of Central Europe.
- 1536: King Henry VIII of England suffers a serious jousting accident, which historians believe may have contributed to his later erratic behavior.
- 1679: King Charles II of England dissolves the Cavalier Parliament, a key episode in English political history.
- 1742: Charles VII Albert becomes Holy Roman Emperor, influencing the balance of power in the region.
- 1758: During the Seven Years’ War, Königsberg submits to Elizabeth of Russia, forming Russian Prussia until 1763.
- 1924: The Russian city of St. Petersburg is officially renamed Leningrad following Lenin’s death, a name it would keep until 1991.
- 1924: On the same day, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini bans non-fascist trade unions, consolidating fascist control over Italy’s labor movement.
- 1936: Albert Sarraut becomes Prime Minister of France.
- 1965: Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister and Nobel laureate, dies, marking the end of an era in British and European history.
- 1908: The first Boy Scout troop is organized in England by Robert Baden-Powell, laying the groundwork for the global scouting movement.
- 1874: Modest Mussorgsky’s opera “Boris Godunov” premieres in St. Petersburg (now Leningrad), a milestone in Russian cultural history.
America
- 1848: Discovery of Gold at Sutter’s Mill
James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California, igniting the California Gold Rush. This event drew hundreds of thousands to California, dramatically accelerating its path to statehood and permanently transforming the American West’s economy and demographics. - 1933: Ratification of the 20th Amendment
The 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, changing the start and end dates for the terms of the president, vice president, and members of Congress. This amendment helped modernize the transition of federal power and reduced the “lame duck” period between election and inauguration. - 1984: Apple Macintosh Launch
Apple introduced the Macintosh personal computer, revolutionizing personal computing with its graphical user interface and mouse. This launch followed the famous “1984” Super Bowl commercial and marked a turning point in technology and consumer electronics. - 1989: Execution of Ted Bundy
Ted Bundy, one of America’s most notorious serial killers, was executed in Florida, closing a dark chapter in U.S. criminal history. - 2003: Creation of the Department of Homeland Security
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security officially began operations, with Tom Ridge sworn in as its first secretary, marking a significant reorganization of federal agencies in response to the 9/11 attacks. - 2004: Mars Rover Opportunity Lands
NASA’s Opportunity rover landed on Mars, beginning a mission that would yield years of valuable scientific data and images, showcasing American leadership in space exploration. - 1935: The first canned beer was sold in the United States, changing beverage packaging and consumption.
- 1895: The first college basketball game was played in Pennsylvania, launching a now-iconic American sport.
Asia
- 1857: Founding of the University of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta was formally established on this day, becoming the first fully fledged university in South Asia. This marked a significant milestone in the development of higher education in the region and played a key role in the intellectual and social movements of the Indian subcontinent. - 1942: World War II – Allied Bombardment of Bangkok
During World War II, the Allies bombarded Bangkok, which was under Japanese control at the time. In response, Thailand declared war against the United States and the United Kingdom, further entrenching its involvement in the conflict on the side of Japan. - 1972: Discovery of Japanese Soldier Shoichi Yokoi
Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi was discovered on Guam after hiding in the jungle for 28 years, unaware that World War II had ended. While Guam is in the Pacific, this event is closely tied to Japan’s wartime legacy and postwar history in Asia. - 1990: Japan Launches First Lunar Probe
Japan launched its first lunar probe, Hiten, on this day. Hiten was notable as the first robotic lunar probe since the Soviet Luna 24 in 1976 and the first deep space probe to perform an aerobraking maneuver, marking a significant achievement in Asian space exploration. - 1966: Air India Flight 101 Crash
Air India Flight 101 crashed into Mont Blanc, resulting in the loss of all aboard, including prominent Indian nuclear scientist Dr. Homi J. Bhabha. This tragedy had a profound impact on India’s scientific community. - 1857: University of Calcutta Founded
Reiterating its importance, the University of Calcutta’s founding on this date is a landmark in the educational history of Asia.
Africa
- 1878: Cable communication was established between England and the Cape, marking a technological milestone in South Africa’s integration with global communication networks.
- 1960: During the Algerian War, some units of European volunteers in Algiers staged an insurrection known as “barricades week,” seizing government buildings and clashing with local police. This event played a role in the broader struggle for Algerian independence from France.
This day in history: 24 january