20 Interesting Facts About January 24 in History
These events on January 24 span from natural disasters to major political, technological, and criminal events, reflecting various human experiences and historical developments.
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
This is a list of major historical events that happened on January 24, ranging from natural disasters like the 1939 Chilean earthquake to groundbreaking technological achievements like Japan’s 1990 lunar probe. From political conflicts such as the 1942 Bangkok bombings to the emergence of global security agencies in 2003, these incidents influenced the social, cultural, and political aspects. The tragedies, technological milestones, and societal shifts they mark continue to influence the world today.
1. 1939 – Chile Earthquake
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One of the world’s deadliest earthquakes hit Chillán in Chile in 1939. This earthquake took the lives of approximately 28,000 people. It destroyed most of the city, ultimately toppling structures into their ruins. The earthquake became a notable disaster in Chile’s history.
2. 1942 – Allies Bombed Bangkok
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After the fall of Singapore, allies began bombing Thailand’s strategic cities, including Bangkok, which eventually made Thailand join the U.S. as well as the United Kingdom in the Second World War to alter the balance of power around Southeast Asia. It was much worse than Burma’s situation and led to a new dangerous escalation of that war.
3. 1943 Casablanca Conference
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Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill convened the Casablanca Conference in January 1943 to plan the next phase of World War II. They reached a consensus on the Axis powers’ unconditional surrender and coordinated their military actions. This conference further entrenched the direction of Allied operations in the war.
4. 1946 – UN Atomic Energy Commission
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In 1946, the United Nations General Assembly passed its first resolution to establish the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission. The commission focused on encouraging the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and preventing its use in military affairs. This marked a significant move toward international cooperation on nuclear matters.
5. 1960 – Insurrection at Algiers
Chettouh Nabil from Wikipedia
This was the year of the Algerian War when the European volunteer units in Algiers rose and started an insurrection, seizing all government buildings. The rebellion was against the ongoing Algerian freedom struggle from France. The subsequent clash between the European insurgents and the local Algerian police turned into violent riots.
6. 1961 – Goldsboro B-52 Crash
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A US B-52 bomber carrying two hydrogen bombs disintegrated in mid-air over North Carolina in 1961. One of the bombs’ uranium cores was lost in the accident, but the other bomb was recovered. The crash raised tremendous concerns about the safety and security of nuclear weapons during the Cold War.
7. 1966 – Air India Flight 101 Crash
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In 1966, Air India Flight 101, a Boeing 707, crashed into Mont Blanc while en route to India. All 117 people on board were killed in the crash. This tragic event is remembered for its loss of life and the difficulty in recovering the wreckage from such a remote location.
8. 1968 – Vietnam War, Operation Coburg
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Operation Coburg was launched in 1968 by the 1st Australian Task Force during the Vietnam War, where it attacked North Vietnamese forces and interfered with the operations of the Viet Cong around Long Bình and Biên Hòa. This operation was one of the more significant military campaigns in that area.
9. 1972 – Japanese Soldier Discovered Hiding in a Guam Jungle Since World War II
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Shoichi Yokoi, a Japanese soldier, was hiding in a jungle in Guam when he was found in 1972. His survival for almost three decades following the end of World War II became a landmark case of survivors.
10. 1977 – Atocha Massacre, Madrid
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With the Spanish transition to democracy, the Atocha massacre occurred in 1977, where five people were killed, and several more were injured as gunmen attacked a law office. This was a turning point for Spain in the transition to democratic rule.
11. 1978 – Soviet Satellite Kosmos 954
NNSA US DOE from Wikipedia
Kosmos 954, a Soviet satellite carrying a nuclear reactor, burned up over Earth’s atmosphere in 1978. This produced radioactive debris that spread over Canada’s Northwest Territories and necessitated recovery efforts. This incident raised issues about the risks of space debris to the environment.
12. 1984 – Macintosh Computer
Mystère Martin from Wikipedia
Apple Computer released the first Macintosh personal computer in 1984. With one of the first graphic user interfaces on a personal computer, the Macintosh led the way into the future of personal computing and became an iconic Apple product.
13. 1986 – Voyager 2 Flyby of Uranus
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In 1986, the Voyager 2 space probe made its closest approach to Uranus. The flyby provided the first close-up images and scientific data about the planet and its moons, marking a significant milestone in the exploration of the outer solar system.
14. 1987 – Forsyth County Civil Rights Protest
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In 1987, nearly 20,000 people protested for civil rights, marching in Forsyth County, Georgia. This march aimed to end racism and fight for equal rights; the march continued protesting the problems of civil rights within the United States.
15. 1989 – Ted Bundy Executed
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Ted Bundy was a serial killer responsible for over 30 murders and was executed in the electric chair at Florida State Prison in 1989. His execution closed the lid on one of the most notorious cases in U.S. history. His crimes and the way he was eventually caught captured the imagination of criminal psychologists as well as the general public.
16. 1990 – Japan Launches Hiten
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Japan launched Hiten, its first lunar probe, in 1990. This marked the first robotic lunar mission since the Soviet Union’s Luna 24 in 1976, making Japan the third country to explore the moon. Hiten’s successful mission helped establish Japan as a key player in space exploration.
17. 2003 – Department of Homeland Security Established
U.S. Government from Wikipedia
The United States Department of Homeland Security was officially established in 2003. It was created after the September 11 attacks to protect the U.S. from various threats, including terrorism. The department brought together several agencies to improve national security.
18. 2009 – Cyclone Klaus Struck France
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In 2009, Cyclone Klaus struck near Bordeaux, France, killing 26 people and causing heavy damage to properties. The storm knocked out public transportation and power supplies for millions of people. It was one of the deadliest and most destructive storms to hit the region in recent years.
19. 2011 – Moscow Airport Bombing
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A bomb exploded at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport in 2011, killing at least 35 people and injuring more than 180. The attack was one of the deadliest in Russian history and was believed to be the work of a suicide bomber. It caused concerns about security at major transportation hubs around the world.
20. 2018 – Larry Nassar Conviction
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Former doctor Larry Nassar was given a total prison sentence of 175 years for the crimes he committed while caring for gymnasts. In December 2018, a conviction for abusing gymnasts brought forth decades-long hidden abuse under the medical practices of Dr. Larry Nassar, showing the vulnerabilities that athletes may possess and how one person with control can commit abuse.
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