1908Achievement
First Boy Scout troop organised
Robert Baden-Powell organised first Boy Scout troop in England.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Neil Diamond born (1941) and Mischa Barton born (1986), 45 years apart.
1 / 6 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Before dinosaurs existed, dragonflies with 2-foot wings ruled the sky.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years at Checkout CounterHall of Fame◆
- 1984CHURCHES PRESS INTERFAITH UNTIY IN PRAYER WEEKThe New York Times◆
- 2021Fauci says he was the 'skunk at the picnic' in Trump's Covid teamThe Guardian◆
- 2020Zola review – stylish viral tweet-based sex and crime caperThe Guardian◆
- 1857The University of Calcutta was established as the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent.Wikipedia◆
- 914The Fatimid Caliphate began their first invasion of Egypt, against the Abbasids, which eventually ended in failure.Wikipedia◆
- 41Roman emperor Caligula was murdered by Cassius Chaerea and other members of the Praetorian Guard, who proclaimed Claudius to be the new emperor.Wikipedia◆
- 1857The University of Calcutta is formally founded as the first fully fledged university in South Asia.Wikipedia◆
- 1438The Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV.Wikipedia◆
- 41Claudius is proclaimed Roman emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula.Wikipedia◆
- 1990Japan launched the Hiten spacecraft (pictured), the first lunar probe launched by a country other than the Soviet Union or the United States.Wikipedia◆
- 1913Greek military aviators Michael Moutoussis and Aristeidis Moraitinis performed the first naval air mission in history, with a Farman MF.7 hydroplane.Wikipedia◆
- 1990Japan 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.Wikipedia◆
- 1946The United Nations General Assembly passes its first resolution to establish the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission.Wikipedia◆
- Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years at Checkout CounterHall of Fame◆
- 1984CHURCHES PRESS INTERFAITH UNTIY IN PRAYER WEEKThe New York Times◆
- 2021Fauci says he was the 'skunk at the picnic' in Trump's Covid teamThe Guardian◆
- 2020Zola review – stylish viral tweet-based sex and crime caperThe Guardian◆
- 1857The University of Calcutta was established as the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent.Wikipedia◆
- 914The Fatimid Caliphate began their first invasion of Egypt, against the Abbasids, which eventually ended in failure.Wikipedia◆
- 41Roman emperor Caligula was murdered by Cassius Chaerea and other members of the Praetorian Guard, who proclaimed Claudius to be the new emperor.Wikipedia◆
- 1857The University of Calcutta is formally founded as the first fully fledged university in South Asia.Wikipedia◆
- 1438The Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV.Wikipedia◆
- 41Claudius is proclaimed Roman emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula.Wikipedia◆
- 1990Japan launched the Hiten spacecraft (pictured), the first lunar probe launched by a country other than the Soviet Union or the United States.Wikipedia◆
- 1913Greek military aviators Michael Moutoussis and Aristeidis Moraitinis performed the first naval air mission in history, with a Farman MF.7 hydroplane.Wikipedia◆
- 1990Japan 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.Wikipedia◆
- 1946The United Nations General Assembly passes its first resolution to establish the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Mischa Barton1986- Neil Diamond1941
- Edith Wharton1862
- Hadrian76
24 January in history
1 eventEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
We are adding more verified events for this date - more coming soon.
Showing 1 event
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — January 24
1857 First everThe University of Calcutta was established as the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
914 First everThe Fatimid Caliphate began their first invasion of Egypt, against the Abbasids, which eventually ended in failure.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
41 Oddly trueRoman emperor Caligula was murdered by Cassius Chaerea and other members of the Praetorian Guard, who proclaimed Claudius to be the new emperor.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1857 First ever
The University of Calcutta is formally founded as the first fully fledged university in South Asia.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1438 Oddly trueThe Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2021The GuardianFauci says he was the 'skunk at the picnic' in Trump's Covid teamPublic health expert says he could not resign as someone had to push back against ‘nonsense’
Read on The Guardian →
2020The GuardianZola review – stylish viral tweet-based sex and crime caperFantastic performances, including breakout Taylour Paige, and confident direction from Janicza Bravo lift an often bu…
Read on The Guardian →- 1984The New York TimesCHURCHES PRESS INTERFAITH UNTIY IN PRAYER WEEK
Protestant and Roman Catholic clergy in the New York metropolitan area, reflecting an increasing interest in interfai…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineTwo Sisters Reunited After 18 Years at Checkout Counter
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “The University of Calcutta was established as the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
The University of Calcutta was established as the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 914 First ever
The Fatimid Caliphate began their first invasion of Egypt, against the Abbasids, which eventually ended in failure.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 41 Oddly true
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 →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 24 January — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
4
1862Birth
Edith Wharton born
Edith Wharton was born. American novelist.
1941Birth
Neil Diamond born
Neil Diamond was born. American singer.
1986Birth
Mischa Barton born
Mischa Barton was born. English actress.
76Birth
Hadrian born
Roman Emperor Hadrian was born in Italica, Spain. Builder of Hadrian's Wall.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Assassinated
1865Death
Abraham Lincoln dies
Abraham Lincoln, politician, died on this day in 1865. Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Remembered as: 16th President of the US, led the nation during the Civil War.
Accident
2020Death
Kobe Bryant dies
Kobe Bryant, professional basketball player, died on this day in 2020. Helicopter crash. Remembered as: Five-time NBA champion with the LA Lakers.
Suicide
1890Death
Vincent van Gogh dies
Vincent van Gogh, painter, died on this day in 1890. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Post-Impressionist whose work deeply influenced 20th-century art.
Assassinated
1968Death
Martin Luther King Jr. dies
Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader, died on this day in 1968. Assassinated in Memphis. Remembered as: Prominent leader in the American civil rights movement.
Executed
1793Death
Death of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris during French Revolution.
Famous birthdays
22 this weekToday · 24 January
- Mischa BartonBritish and American actress (born 1986)Born 1986 · 40 years ago today
- Neil DiamondAmerican singer-songwriter (born 1941)Born 1941 · 85 years ago today
- Edith WhartonAmerican writer and designer (1862–1937)Born 1862 · 164 years ago today
- HadrianRoman emperor from 117 to 138Born 76 · 1950 years ago today
Coming up this week
Alicia KeysAmerican singer and songwriter (born 1981)25 January · born 1981
Mia KirshnerCanadian actress (born 1975)25 January · born 1975
Robert BurnsScottish poet and lyricist (1759–1796)25 January · born 1759
Sasha BanksAmerican professional wrestler (born 1992)26 January · born 1992
Ellen DeGeneresAmerican comedian and television host (born 1958)26 January · born 1958
Douglas MacArthurUnited States Army general (1880–1964)26 January · born 1880
Day of Recognition24 January
International Day of Education
UN day highlighting the critical role of education in peace and global development.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 24 January.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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