October 24 in history — What Happened Today in History
Curious what October 24 in history holds? From 2024 back through the centuries, our timeline gathers everything that happened on October 24 — events, birthdays and deaths on one cozy page.
On this page, October 24 in history is arranged as a timeline of major events in reverse order, with birthdays and deaths in their own sections, plus a short FAQ about October 24 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on October 24 in History 40
- 2024
A 14 year old resident from Bosanska Krupa, Bosnia and Herzegovina initiated a terrorist attack on the local police station, killing one police officer and injuring another.
- 2018
The world's longest sea crossing, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, opens for public traffic.
- 2016
A French surveillance aircraft flying to Libya crashes on takeoff in Malta, killing all five people on board.
- 2016
Three heavily armed terrorists from the Islamic State – Khorasan Province open fire on and eventually suicide bomb a police training centre in Balochistan, Pakistan, killing at least 59 cadets and injuring more than 165 others.
- 2015
A driver deliberately crashes into the Oklahoma State Homecoming parade, killing four people and injuring 34.
- 2014
The China National Space Administration launches an experimental lunar mission, Chang'e 5-T1, which will loop behind the Moon and return to Earth.
- 2008
"Bloody Friday" saw many of the world's stock exchanges experience the worst declines in their history, with drops of around 10% in most indices.
- 2007
Chang'e 1, the first satellite in the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, is launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
- 2005
Hurricane Wilma makes landfall in Florida, resulting in 35 direct and 26 indirect fatalities and causing $20.6B USD in damage.
- 2004
Arsenal Football Club loses 2–0 to Manchester United in a match dubbed the Battle of the Buffet, ending their Premier League record 49-match unbeaten streak.
- 2003
Concorde makes its last commercial flight.
- 1998
Deep Space 1 is launched to explore the asteroid belt and test new spacecraft technologies.
All entries for October 24（+28）
- 1992
The Toronto Blue Jays become the first Major League Baseball team based outside the United States to win the World Series.
- 1990
Italian prime minister Giulio Andreotti reveals to the Italian parliament the existence of Gladio, the Italian NATO force formed in 1956, intended to be activated in the event of a Warsaw Pact invasion.
- 1986
Nezar Hindawi is sentenced to 45 years in prison, the longest sentence handed down by a British court, for the attempted bombing of an El Al flight at Heathrow Airport.
- 1980
The government of Poland legalizes the Solidarity trade union.
- 1975
In Iceland, 90% of women take part in a national strike, refusing to work in protest of gender inequality.
- 1964
Northern Rhodesia gains independence from the United Kingdom and becomes Zambia.
- 1963
An oxygen leak from an R-9 Desna missile at the Baikonur Cosmodrome triggers a fire that kills seven people.
- 1960
Nedelin catastrophe: An R-16 ballistic missile explodes on the launch pad at the Soviet Union's Baikonur Cosmodrome space facility, killing over 100 people, including Field Marshal Mitrofan Nedelin.
- 1957
The United States Air Force starts the X-20 Dyna-Soar crewed space program.
- 1954
US President Dwight D. Eisenhower pledges United States support to South Vietnam.
- 1950
Annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China: The People's Liberation Army ceases all military operations in Tibet, ending the Battle of Chamdo.
- 1949
The cornerstone of the United Nations Headquarters is laid.
- 1947
Famed animator Walt Disney testifies before the House Un-American Activities Committee, naming Disney employees he believes to be communists.
- 1947
United Air Lines Flight 608 crashes in the Bryce Canyon National Park in Garfield County, Utah, while attempting an emergency landing at Bryce Canyon Airport, killing 52 people.
- 1946
A camera on board the V-2 No. 13 rocket takes the first photograph of earth from outer space.
- 1945
The United Nations Charter comes into effect.
- 1944
World War II: Japan's center force is temporarily repulsed in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
- 1944
World War II: The USS Shark (SS-314) was lost with all 87 hands in the Bashi Straits after torpedoing the Japanese freighter Arisan Maru.
- 1944
World War II: The USS Tang (SS-306) sank in the Formosa Strait after being struck by its own torpedo, with 78 of its crew lost.
- 1931
The George Washington Bridge opens to public traffic over the Hudson River.
- 1930
A bloodless coup d'état in Brazil ends the First Republic, replacing it with the Vargas Era.
- 1929
"Black Thursday" on the New York Stock Exchange, the first day of the panic in the markets that contributes to the Great Depression.
- 1926
Harry Houdini's last performance takes place at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit.
- 1918
World War I: Italian victory in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto.
- 1917
World War I: Italy suffers a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Caporetto on the Austro-Italian front.
- 1912
First Balkan War: The Battle of Kirk Kilisse concludes with a Bulgarian victory against the Ottoman Empire.
- 1912
First Balkan War: The Battle of Kumanovo concludes with the Serbian victory against the Ottoman Empire.
- 1911
Orville Wright remains in the air for nine minutes and 45 seconds in a glider at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.
Famous Birthdays on October 24 in History 25
- 2008
Liamani, American singer and actress
- 1999
Amon-Ra St. Brown, American football player
- 1998
Daya, American singer
- 1997
Bron Breakker, American wrestler
- 1997
Claudia Fragapane, English gymnast
- 1997
Raye, British singer-songwriter
- 1996
Jaylen Brown, American basketball player
- 1996
Rafael Devers, Dominican baseball player
- 1996
Océane Dodin, French tennis player
- 1996
Garrison Mathews, American basketball player
- 1996
Kyla Ross, American gymnast
- 1995
Vincent Leuluai, Australian rugby league player
All entries for October 24（+13）
- 1995
Ashton Sanders, American actor
- 1994
Krystal Jung, American-South Korean singer, dancer, and actress
- 1994
Tereza Martincová, Czech tennis player
- 1994
Sean O'Malley, American mixed martial artist
- 1994
Jalen Ramsey, American football player
- 1993
R. J. Hunter, American basketball player
- 1992
Marrion Gopez, Filipino actor, singer, and dancer
- 1992
Ding Liren, Chinese chess grandmaster
- 1991
Torstein Andersen Aase, Norwegian footballer
- 1991
Bojan Dubljević, Montenegrin basketball player
- 1990
Elijah Greer, American middle-distance runner
- 1990
İlkay Gündoğan, German footballer
- 1990
Mohammed Jahfali, Saudi Arabia international footballer
Notable Deaths on October 24 in History 25
- 2025
Sirikit, Queen Mother of Thailand (born 1932)
- 2024
Amir Abdur-Rahim, American basketball player and coach (born 1981)
- 2024
Abdelaziz Barrada, Moroccan footballer (born 1989)
- 2024
Jeri Taylor, American screenwriter (born 1938)
- 2022
Leslie Jordan, American actor, writer, and singer (born 1955)
- 2021
James Michael Tyler, American actor (born 1962)
- 2018
Tony Joe White, American singer/songwriter (born 1943)
- 2017
Fats Domino, American pianist and singer-songwriter (born 1928)
- 2017
Robert Guillaume, American actor (born 1927)
- 2017
Girija Devi, Indian classical singer (born 1929)
- 2016
Bobby Vee, American pop singer (born 1943)
- 2016
Jorge Batlle Ibáñez, Uruguayan politician, 38th president of Uruguay (born 1927)
All entries for October 24（+13）
- 2015
Michael Beetham, English commander and pilot (born 1923)
- 2015
Alvin Bronstein, American lawyer and academic (born 1928)
- 2015
Margarita Khemlin, Ukrainian-Russian author and critic (born 1960)
- 2015
Ján Chryzostom Korec, Slovak cardinal (born 1924)
- 2015
Maureen O'Hara, Irish-American actress and singer (born 1920)
- 2014
Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, South African runner (born 1980)
- 2014
S. S. Rajendran, Indian actor, director, and producer (born 1928)
- 2014
Marcia Strassman, American actress and singer (born 1948)
- 2013
Antonia Bird, English director and producer (born 1951)
- 2013
Brooke Greenberg, American girl with a rare genetic disorder (born 1993)
- 2013
Ana Bertha Lepe, Mexican model and actress (born 1934)
- 2013
Lew Mayne, American football player and coach (born 1920)
- 2012
Peggy Ahern, American actress (born 1917)
That is the story of October 24 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on October 24 to relive these world-changing moments — or take a random trip through time and see what happened on another day in history.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on October 24 in history?
The biggest event on October 24 in history is: 2024 — A 14 year old resident from Bosanska Krupa, Bosnia and Herzegovina initiated a terrorist attack on the local police station, killing one police officer and injuring another.. In total, 40 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on October 24?
25 famous people were born on October 24 in history, the best known being 2008 — Liamani, American singer and actress.
Who died on October 24?
25 notable people died on October 24 in history, including 2025 — Sirikit, Queen Mother of Thailand (born 1932).
Why should I read about October 24 in history?
Exploring October 24 in history helps you grasp the day's place in history in just a few minutes: events, birthdays and deaths in one read — perfect for students, teachers and curious minds.
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