Vintage News · Odd history for January 24

What Happened On January 24

Q: What happened on January 24?

1857: The University of Calcutta was established as the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent. 914: The Fatimid Caliphate began their first invasion of Egypt, against the Abbasids, which eventually ended in failure. 41: Roman emperor Caligula was murdered by Cassius Chaerea and other members of the Praetorian Guard, who proclaimed Claudius to be the new emperor. 1857: The University of Calcutta is formally founded as the first fully fledged university in South Asia. 1438: The Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV. 41: Claudius is proclaimed Roman emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula. 1990: Japan launched the Hiten spacecraft (pictured), the first lunar probe launched by a country other than the Soviet Union or the United States. 1913: Greek military aviators Michael Moutoussis and Aristeidis Moraitinis performed the first naval air mission in history, with a Farman MF.7 hydroplane. 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. 1946: The United Nations General Assembly passes its first resolution to establish the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission.

42 events and 205 births, refreshed daily. OddlyTrue's own archive for 24 January →

January 23 January 25

10 odd things that happened on January 24

1857 First ever
The University of Calcutta was established as the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent.
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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
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 true
The Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
41 Oddly true
Claudius is proclaimed Roman emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1990 First ever
Japan launched the Hiten spacecraft (pictured), the first lunar probe launched by a country other than the Soviet Union or the United States.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1913 First ever
Greek military aviators Michael Moutoussis and Aristeidis Moraitinis performed the first naval air mission in history, with a Farman MF.7 hydroplane.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1990 First ever
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.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1946 First ever
The United Nations General Assembly passes its first resolution to establish the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Observed today

2026At least 70 people are killed and 10 others missing after major landslides in West Java, Indonesia. Wikipedia →
2024An Ilyushin Il-76 crashes in Russia's Korochansky District, killing all 74 people on board. Wikipedia →
2018Former doctor Larry Nassar is sentenced up to 175 years in prison after being found guilty of using his position to sexually abuse female gymnasts. Wikipedia →
2011At least 35 are killed and 180 injured in a bombing at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport. Wikipedia →
2009Cyclone Klaus makes landfall near Bordeaux, France, causing 26 deaths as well as extensive disruptions to public transport and power supplies. Wikipedia →
2003The United States Department of Homeland Security officially begins operation. 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 →
1988An Aeroflot Yakovlev Yak-40 crashes at Nizhnevartovsk Airport, killing 27 people. Wikipedia →
1987About 20,000 protestors march in a civil rights demonstration in Forsyth County, Georgia, United States. Wikipedia →
1986The Voyager 2 space probe makes its closest approach to Uranus. Wikipedia →
1978Soviet 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. Wikipedia →
1977The Atocha massacre occurs in Madrid during the Spanish transition to democracy. Wikipedia →
1972Japanese Sgt. Shoichi Yokoi is found hiding in a Guam jungle, where he had been since the end of World War II. Wikipedia →
1968Vietnam War: The 1st Australian Task Force launches Operation Coburg against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong during wider fighting around Long Bình and Biên Hòa. Wikipedia →
1966Air India Flight 101 crashes into Mont Blanc. Wikipedia →
1961Goldsboro 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. Wikipedia →
1960Algerian 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. Wikipedia →
1946The United Nations General Assembly passes its first resolution to establish the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission. Wikipedia →
1943World War II: Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill conclude a conference in Casablanca. Wikipedia →
1942World War II: The Allies bombard Bangkok, leading Thailand, then under Japanese control, to declare war against the United States and United Kingdom. Wikipedia →
1939The deadliest earthquake in Chilean history strikes Chillán, killing approximately 28,000 people. Wikipedia →
1935Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company starts selling the first canned beer. Wikipedia →
1933The 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, changing the beginning and end of terms for all elected federal offices. Wikipedia →
1918The Gregorian calendar is introduced in Russia by decree of the Council of People's Commissars effective February 14 (New Style). Wikipedia →
1916In Brushaber v. Union Pacific Railroad Co., the Supreme Court of the United States declares the federal income tax constitutional. Wikipedia →
1915World 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. Wikipedia →
1908The first Boy Scout troop is organized in England by Robert Baden-Powell. Wikipedia →
1900Second Boer War: Boers stop a British attempt to break the Siege of Ladysmith in the Battle of Spion Kop. Wikipedia →
1859The United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia (later named Romania) is formed as a personal union under the rule of Domnitor Alexandru Ioan Cuza. Wikipedia →
1857The University of Calcutta is formally founded as the first fully fledged university in South Asia. Wikipedia →
1848California Gold Rush: James W. Marshall finds gold at Sutter's Mill near Sacramento. Wikipedia →
1835Slaves in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, stage a revolt, which is instrumental in ending slavery there 50 years later. Wikipedia →
1817Crossing of the Andes: Many soldiers of Juan Gregorio de las Heras are captured during the action of Picheuta. Wikipedia →
1758During the Seven Years' War the leading burghers of Königsberg submit to Elizabeth of Russia, thus forming Russian Prussia (until 1763). Wikipedia →
1742Charles VII Albert becomes Holy Roman Emperor. Wikipedia →
1679King Charles II of England dissolves the Cavalier Parliament. Wikipedia →
1651Arauco 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. Wikipedia →
1536King 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. Wikipedia →
1458Matthias Corvinus is elected King of Hungary. Wikipedia →
1438The Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV. Wikipedia →
914Start of the First Fatimid invasion of Egypt. Wikipedia →
41Claudius is proclaimed Roman emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula. Wikipedia →

From The Guardian Archives — On This Day

2021The Guardian
Fauci says he was the 'skunk at the picnic' in Trump's Covid team
Public health expert says he could not resign as someone had to push back against ‘nonsense’
Read on The Guardian →
2020The Guardian
Zola review – stylish viral tweet-based sex and crime caper
Fantastic performances, including breakout Taylour Paige, and confident direction from Janicza Bravo lift an often bu…
Read on The Guardian →
1984The New York Times
CHURCHES 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.