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what happened on 24th july

24th July In History

BY CATEGORY

After two world wars, the world realized the futility of wars and various efforts were made to prevent such conflicts in the future. One of them is the ‘Kellogg-Briand Pact’ which outlawed war and was enforced on July 24 in America. It was on this day that Chile took the progressive step of abolishing slavery in its land. It was a victory of determination over challenges when 91-year-old Hulda Crooks scaled Mount Fuji in Japan, becoming the oldest woman to do so. The spirit of discovery propelled American archaeologist Hiram Bingham to find the ancient settlement of Machu Picchu in Peru. Japan embraced digital technology and shut down its analogue television network in all areas, except a few, on 24 July 2011. For the first time, a BASE jump was performed off the El Capitan cliff in Yosemite National Park in California. The day even witnessed several experiments in mountaineering and American defense. The north face of the mountain Niger in the Swiss Alps was conquered and rocket Bumper 8 was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, U.S, on this day. The highlight of political events this day was the ‘Kitchen Debate’ between former Vice-President of the United States Richard Nixon and former premier of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev in 1959.

HISTORICAL EVENTS ON 24th July

1998

Bidding For ‘Kia Motors’ Begins

The South Korean company ‘Kia Motors’ had to be auctioned due to bankruptcy. The bidding event was held on 24th July, 1998 after it went bankrupt during the Asian economic crisis. The former South Korean automobile giant had produced the country’s first passenger car, ‘The Brisa’.

1567

Politics

Queen Of Scots Is Forced To Abdicate

On July 24, 1567, Mary, the Queen of Scots, was forced to step down from the throne and make way for her one-year-old son, who became her successor. The child was then christened as King James VI of Scotland. Mary became the Queen of Scotland after the death of her father King James V, when she was only six days old.

1783

Politics

Georgia And Russia Sign The Treaty Of Georgievsk

Russian monarch Catherine II the Great and Erekle II of Kartalinia-Kakhetia, which is present day Eastern Georgia, signed the Treaty of Georgievsk on 24th July 1783. Kartalinia-Kakhetia was eventually governed by Russia. Russia allowed the Bagratid dynasty reign to continue in Georgia, but did not abide by the treaty and withdrew soldiers from Georgia at the start of the second Russian-Turkey war in 1787.

1823

Politics

Slavery Is Abolished In Chile

Senators in Chile passed a law to abolish slavery on 24th July, 1823 and included it in the country’s constitution later on. The law resulted in the migration of slaves from other nations like Mendoza to Chile, in order to utilize the benefits being given to slaves here. Quite soon, another law was passed in 1824 to prevent migration.

1866

Politics

Tennessee Rejoins The Union

After the American Civil War ended Tennessee, became the first southern state to be readmitted to the Union in 1866. Tennessee prohibited slavery and was the last state to break away from the Union government.

1908

Politics

Turkey’s Sultan Agrees To Restore Constitution

The Sultan of Turkey Abdul Hamid announced the restoration of the constitution in 1908, after the political party ‘Committee of Union and Progress (CUP)’ demanded it. The main objective of the CUP members, also called the Young Turks, was to prevent Europe from taking over Ottoman areas and to strengthen the empire.

1922

Politics

Draft Of British Mandate Of Palestine Is Approved

On 24th July, 1922, the draft of the British Mandate of Palestine was approved by the council of the League of Nations, after it was put forth for approval. The draft consisted of conditions of the trust, bestowed on a nation by the League of Nations and came into force on 29th September, 1923. Great Britain was given the Mandate of Palestine, which included the area of Cis-Jordan.

1923

Politics

Treaty Of Lausanne Is Signed In Switzerland

In 1923, the Treaty of Lausanne was signed by the nations Turkey, Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Greece, Romania and other countries at Lausanne, Switzerland. The treaty was signed towards the end of World War I and demarcated the boundaries of modern Turkey.

1929

Politics

The Kellogg–Briand Pact Comes Into Effect

It was on 24th July 1929 that the Kellogg-Briand Pact, which opposed war, came into force in the United States. The pact was ratified by former US president John Calvin Coolidge and the Senate in January 1929.

1952

Politics

Strike By United Steel Workers Of America Ends

The 53-day strike by United Steel Workers of America screeched to a halt after negotiations between the workers, industrialists and the government on 24th July, 1952. The announcement was made by former American President Harry Truman, after the decision to hike salaries was taken in the White House.

1959

Politics

Nixon And Khrushchev’s Kitchen Debate Takes Place

The former Vice-President of the United States Richard Nixon and former premier of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev got into a heated debate, which went on to be known as the ‘Kitchen debate’. The two leaders argued over ideologies of capitalism and communism on 24th July 1959. Both the leaders were present at the model kitchen area of the American National Exhibition in Moscow during the debate.

1967

Politics

French President Says Vive Le Québec Libre In Canada

In 1967, French President Charles de Gaulle famously said ‘vive le Quebec libre’ which translates to ‘Long Live Free Quebec’, in his speech at the Montreal's City Hall in Canada. By using the slogan of a Québec separatist party Gaulle caused diplomatic unrest, which led to the cancellation of his visit.

1974

Politics

Nixon Asked To Surrender The Watergate Tapes

It was on 24th July 1974, that the Supreme Court of the United States ordered President Richard Nixon to surrender the 64 tapes concerning the Watergate scandal to the special prosecutor. The cause of the scandal was the incident involving Nixon’s confidantes, who barged in to the offices of the Democratic National Committee headquarters

1981

Politics

Ali Rajai Becomes President Of Iran

On this day in 1981, Mohammed Ali Rajai was elected as the president of Iran. Rajai supported the role of revolutionaries in the governance of Iran and made redistribution of wealth his priority.

2001

Politics

Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Elected Bulgaria’s Prime Minister

The last king of Bulgaria Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was elected the Prime Minister of Bulgaria in 2001, after emerging victorious in the election process. Saxe-Coburg-Gotha promised to uproot corruption and revive the economy during his tenure, which ended in 2005.

2002

Politics

Traficant Is Expelled From U.S House Of Representatives

On 24th July 2002, James Traficant, was expelled from the United States House of Representatives when 420 house members voted against him. Traficant, a nine-term Ohio Democrat, was expelled because he was found guilty of corruption.

1823

Wars

Venezuela Wins Naval Battle Of Lake Maracaibo

During Venezuela’s fight to gain freedom from Spain, Venezuela won a significant naval battle on Lake Maracaibo in 1823. Maracaibo city, which is among the largest seaports in Venezuela, is the capital of Zulia state.

1864

Wars

Confederates Defeat Union Forces At Kernstown

Confederate lieutenant General Jubal Early defeated Union forces under General George Crook during the second battle of Kernstown, which was fought on 24th July, 1864. This battle was fought to keep the Shenandoah Valley free of the Union troops and the Yankees, the natives.

1943

Wars

British Start Operation Gomorrah

During the World War II the British bombed the city of Hamburg, Germany, at night in Operation Gomorrah and the Americans raided it during the day in 1943. During the British raid, 2300 tons of incendiary bombs hit Hamburg in just a few hours and caused the worst devastation in Germany. In the ten days, bombing 40,000 people died and 900,000 residents were forced to escape.

1944

Wars

Soviets Liberate Majdanek Concentration Camp

The Soviet army freed the first concentration camp at Majdanek on 24 July 1944. Majdanek was a Nazi German concentration and death camp in Lublin, Poland in which Soviet prisoners of war were detained.

1977

Wars

Four-Day War Between Libya And Egypt Ends

In 1977, Libya and Egypt decided to end the four-day long war between the two nations, after Algeria’s president intervened in the conflict. The war took place after the consulates in both the countries were attacked by demonstrators and Libyan leader Colonel Muammar al- Gaddafi blamed Egypt for the unrest. Egypt, however, denied any involvement.

1715

Disasters & Natural Calamities

Hurricane Kills 1,000 People, Sinks 10 Ships

On 24th July 1715, a hurricane that hit the east coast of Florida in the U.S sunk 10 Spanish treasure ships and about 1,000 people lost their lives in the tragedy. The gold and silver that was present on these ships was all lost in the hurricane and could not be recovered even after 250 years.

1915

Disasters & Natural Calamities

Steamer Overturns In Chicago River

As many as 800 to 850 people drowned after the steamer ‘Eastland’ capsized in the Chicago River on July 24th, 1915. The incident happened due to a fault in the steamer’s design, which was not rectified by the ‘St. Joseph-Chicago Steamship Company’, the manufacturer of the steamer.

2013

Disasters & Natural Calamities

High-Speed Train Derails In Spain

A high-speed train derailed and caught fire near the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage site in Spain, while it was turning along a curved path in 2013. The accident, which is considered one of the worst train accidents in Europe, took place because of over speeding. The tragedy left 77 people dead and 100 others injured.

2014

Disasters & Natural Calamities

‘Air Algérie’ Flight Crashes In Mali

An Air Algérie flight, AH5017, headed to Algeria from Burkina Faso, crashed in 2014, after it lost contact with the air traffic control, possibly due to bad weather. The wreckage of the plane was found in Mali, but none of the 116 people on board survived the crash.

1966

Sports

American Skydivers Perform The First BASE Jump

In 1966, American skydivers Michael Pelkey and Brian Schubert performed the first BASE jump by jumping off the El Capitan cliff in Yosemite National Park, California. BASE stands for the four objects, namely Buildings, Antenna, Spans and Earth, which may cause disruptions during the fall.

1987

Sports

Hulda Crooks Climbs Mt. Fuji

It was on this day in 1987 that mountaineer Hulda Crooks scaled Mount Fuji in Japan, at the age of 91. Crooks was the oldest woman to conquer Mount Fuji and Mount Whitney. She later on came to be known as Grandma Whitney for scaling mountain Whitney several times

2005

Sports

Armstrong Wins A Record Seventh Tour De France Title

On the 24th of July, 2005, American cyclist Lance Armstrong won the seventh consecutive Tour de France title and created a record. Following this feat, Armstrong retired from the sport, but was stripped off all his titles after being charged with doping.

1901

Literature & Entertainment

Author O Henry Is Released From Jail

Renowned author William Sydney Porter, whose pen name is O Henry, was released from jail after serving three years of imprisonment on this day in 1901. Porter was charged of embezzlement from ‘First National Bank of Austin’ in Texas. Hence, he escaped to Honduras to evade imprisonment, but returned after he came to know of his wife’s terminal illness.

1982

Literature & Entertainment

‘Eye Of The Tiger’ Tops Billboard Pop Chart

American rock band ‘Survivor’ song The foot-tapping number ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ from the movie ‘Rocky’, created by the American rock band ‘Survivor’, made it to the number 1 spot on the Billboard pop chart in 1982. The song ‘Gonna Fly Now’ also from Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky franchise had also bagged a top spot.

1998

Literature & Entertainment

‘Saving Private Ryan’ Hits Theatres Across The U.S

On 24th July 1998, director Steven Spielberg’s movie ‘Saving Private Ryan’ was released in America. The film is based on a few events of World War II and won five Oscars out of the 11 it was nominated for.

1534

Trivia

French Explorer Claims Gaspe Bay In Canada

French explorer Jacques Cartier arrived at Gaspe Bay in Canada on 24th July, 1534. He then planted a cross and took control over the area on behalf of the king of France, Francis I. When Cartier reached the spot, he found that it was inhabited by the natives, who mostly spoke Iroquoian. It was Cartier who coined the name Canada from the word Kanata, meaning village or settlement.

1701

Trivia

French Explorer Reaches The Site Of Detroit City

On 24 July, 1701, French explorer and soldier Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac reached the site, which went on to be known as the city of Detroit in America later. Cadillac formed the settlement of Pontchartrain du Détroit or Detroit, so as to counter the British in the fur trade there by joining the native people.

1832

Trivia

First Wagon Train Crosses The Rocky Mountains

On 24th July, 1832, Benjamin Bonneville, a well-known explorer, ensured the successful journey of a wagon train across the Rocky Mountains at the South Pass in Wyoming State in America. Bonneville, a native of France, dealt in fur trade and is believed to have been a spy for the U.S.

1847

Trivia

Mormon Pioneers Leave For Utah Valley

American religious leader and second president of the Mormon Church, Brigham Young, along with 148 Mormon pioneers traveled to the Utah Valley, Great Salt Lake region, on 24th July 1847. The pioneers ensured that the place could accommodate thousands of Mormon migrants who wanted to settle there.

1911

Trivia

Settlement Of Machu Picchu Is Discovered

It was on this day in 1911 that American archaeologist Hiram Bingham discovered the ancient settlement of Machu Picchu in Peru. Machu Picchu was a favorite amongst the leaders of the Inca Empire who used it as their summer resort. It is now a tourist hot spot and attracts people from around the world.

1927

Trivia

The Menin Gate War Memorial Is Inaugurated

It was on this day in 1927 that the Menin Gate Memorial, dedicated to the missing, was inaugurated in Ypres, Belgium. The memorial was built in the memory of 50,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who died in World War I and whose bodies were never recovered.

1938

Trivia

Mountain Niger’s First Ascent Takes Place

It was on this day in 1938 that the north face of mountain Niger, a peak in the Swiss Alps was conquered. It was the last peak in the Alps which was not scaled till then. However, the group, consisting of of Germans Heckmair and Ludwig Vorg and Austrians Heinrich Harrer and Fritz Kasparek achieved the feat.

1950

Trivia

‘Bumper 8’ Launched From Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

On 24th July 1950, the first rocket named the ‘Bumper 8’ was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, U.S. The rocket was an altered form of the World War II V-2 rocket and was basically used to test rocket systems and find information about the upper layers of the atmosphere.

1963

Trivia

The Vessel ‘Bluenose II’ Is Launched

It was on this day in July 1963 that the majestic vessel ‘Bluenose II’, more of a a replica of the ‘Bluenose I’ was launched. The ship was built in Lunenburg and was considered a representation of Nova Scotia in Canada.

1967

Trivia

‘Beatles’ Back Legalization Of Marijuana

On the 24th July, 1967, all members of the rock band ‘Beatles’ signed a newspaper advertisement in the ‘London Times’, to support the legalization of marijuana. The ad criticized British anti- marijuana laws and was signed by 61 other people. It also appealed for a reduction in the penalty for the possession of the drug.

1969

Trivia

‘Apollo 11’ Returns To Earth

American spacecraft ‘Apollo 11’, which transported Neil Armstrong, the first man to step on the moon, returned safely to Earth on 24th July, 1969. The spacecraft took off from the ‘Kennedy Space Center’ on July 16, 1969 and also had astronauts Edwin Aldrin Jr., and Michael Collins on board.

1969

Trivia

British Lecturer Gerald Brooke Freed From Jail

After spending four years in a Soviet prison, British lecturer Gerald Brooke was finally relieved on this day and the man returned to London soon, in 1969. Brooke was arrested by the Russian Secret agency, the KGB, and was charged with anti-Soviet activity on USSR’s soil.

1983

Trivia

Anti-Tamil Riots Take Place In Sri Lanka

Anti-Tamil riots took place in Sri Lanka on 24 July 1983 after 13 Sri Lankan soldiers were killed in an ambush in Jaffna by the rebel outfit ‘Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’. These riots, termed as ‘Black July’, continued for a period of 5 days.

1987

Trivia

Jeffrey Archer Wins Battle With ‘The Daily Star’

Novelist and Former deputy chair of the Conservative Party Jeffrey Archer emerged victorious in a libel case against The Daily Star newspaper in the High Court in 1987. The newspaper was asked to pay Archer £500,000 in damages, along with a fine of a whopping £700,000 for publishing a report which claimed that Archer sought the services of a prostitute.

1990

Trivia

Iraq Deploys Army Along Its Border With Kuwait

In 1990, the Iraqi government deployed large number of troops and tanks along the border it shares with Kuwait. Iraq had blamed its neighbor for illegally extracting oil. The U.S warships were also put on alert due to the increased tension in the region that resulted in an attack on Kuwait by Iraq.

1991

Trivia

Indian Government Allows Private Sector Investment

On 24th July 1991, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the then finance minister in the Congress government in India, presented his first budget. This budget opened the doors of economic liberalization in India by allowing firms belonging to the private sector to invest in Indian industry.

1998

Trivia

Russell Eugene Weston, Jr Opens Fire In U.S Capitol

A gunman identified as Russell Eugene Weston, Jr walked into the U.S Capitol on 24th July, 1998 and mercilessly started firing at the policemen in the corridor. The shooting led to the death of two policemen and caused injuries to two other people. In the past, Weston had apparently indulged in several criminal activities and was also believed to be mentally disturbed.

2000

Trivia

Hitman Michael Stone Walks Free

It was in July, 2000 that hitman Michael Stone, accused of killing half-a-dozen people was freed. He was detained in the Maze jail, situated in Northern Ireland. Stone was sentenced to 684 years in prison for his crimes, but was freed because of the Good Friday peace agreement, an important political development in Ireland.

2011

Trivia

Japan Turns Off Analogue Television Network

Japan shut down its analogue television network in most regions on 24th July, 2011 except those places which were affected by natural calamities earlier that year. This was done to switch to digital transmission, but it could not be carried out in the Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima regions, due to the damage caused by the quake.