Europa
Italy Enters World War I (1915)
- On May 24, 1915, Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary, officially joining World War I on the side of the Allies. This marked a significant shift in the European conflict, expanding the war’s front and altering alliances.
Other Notable European Events on May 24
- In 1939, the Derby horse race in England was won by Blue Peter, and the event was notable for being televised live in six major London theaters.
- On the same day in 1939, King George VI delivered a radio address from Winnipeg, Canada, celebrating a century of peace between Canada and the United States-a message that resonated with European audiences during a tense pre-war period.
America
Founding of Jamestown (1607)
- On May 24, 1607, Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in North America, was founded in what is now Virginia. This marked a pivotal moment in American colonial history.
First Telegraph Message Sent (1844)
- Samuel Morse sent the first commercial telegraph message, “What hath God wrought,” from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to Baltimore, Maryland. This event inaugurated the era of long-distance electronic communication in the United States.
Other Notable Events
- 1626: Peter Minuit reportedly purchased Manhattan from local Native Americans.
- 1856: Abolitionist John Brown and his followers killed five pro-slavery settlers at Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas, escalating tensions before the Civil War.
- 1861: During the Civil War, Union troops occupied Alexandria, Virginia, and Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth became the first Union officer killed in the conflict.
- 1883: The Brooklyn Bridge in New York City was opened to traffic after 14 years of construction, becoming an iconic American landmark.
Asia
No Major Historical Anniversaries in China
- There are no notable historical anniversaries specifically recorded for May 24 in China.
Notable Ongoing or Recent Events Around May 24 (Asia-wide)
- The Java Jazz Festival, a prominent music event, takes place in Jakarta, Indonesia, from May 24–26.
- The Langkawi Ultra, a major running event, is held in Malaysia from May 24–26.
Historical Conflicts
- Operation 17 Agustus, an Indonesian military operation, ended on May 24, 1958.
Other Events
- On May 24, 2001, the Jerusalem wedding hall disaster occurred in Israel, resulting in 23 deaths.
Africa
Eritrea’s Independence (1993)
On May 24, 1993, Eritrea officially became an independent nation, breaking away from Ethiopia after a long struggle for self-determination. This day is celebrated annually in Eritrea as Independence Day.
Contextual Events Around This Date
While May 25 is widely celebrated as Africa Day or African Liberation Day, marking the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, May 24 itself is particularly notable for Eritrea’s independence.
Recent Developments (May 2024)
May 2024 saw significant unrest and violence in several African countries, including Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and South Africa, but these events are not specifically tied to May 24.