Discover what happened on August 24 in history as wartime turning points, technological breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and unforgettable moments helped shape the world we know today.
What Happened on August 24 in History?
On this day, British forces captured and burned Washington, D.C., Microsoft released Windows 95, and Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet.
AUGUST 24 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
79 AD – According to the traditional date, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum beneath volcanic ash and debris. Modern archaeological evidence suggests the eruption may actually have occurred later that year, possibly in October.
1814 – British forces captured Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812 and set fire to several government buildings, including the White House and U.S. Capitol.
1869 – Cornelius Swartwout received a U.S. patent for an improved waffle iron.
1891 – Thomas Edison received patents related to the Kinetograph motion-picture camera and Kinetoscope viewing device.
1912 – A four-pound limit was set for parcels sent through the U.S. Postal System.
1915 – Michigan began paying a five-cent bounty for killing certain rats. To collect the bounty, residents had to turn the rats’ heads over to their local government clerk in groups of at least five.
1932 – Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly nonstop across the United States, completing a flight from Los Angeles, CA, to Newark, NJ, in about 19 hours.
1949 – The North Atlantic Treaty officially went into effect, establishing NATO’s collective-defense alliance.
1969 – East Lansing resident Victor Jackson crossed Lake Michigan from Ludington, MI, to Manitowoc, WI, in a modified cast-iron bathtub powered by an outboard motor. The 14½-hour trip began as a $5 bet with his boss.
1979 – The TV show “The Facts of Life” premiered on NBC. It was a spin-off from the series “Diff’rent Strokes”.
1981 – Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for murdering John Lennon.
1986 – Frontier Airlines shut down. Thousands of people were left stranded.
1989 – Commissioner Bart Giamatti banned Pete Rose, the manager of the Cincinnati Reds, from baseball — for life — after being accused of gambling on baseball.
1992 – Hurricane Andrew hit southern Florida. The storm caused 55 deaths in the Bahamas, Florida and Louisiana.
1995 – Microsoft released Windows 95, introducing features including the Start button and taskbar that would become familiar parts of personal computing.
2001 – In McAllen, TX, Bridgestone/Firestone agreed to settle out of court and pay $7.5 million to a family in a rollover accident in their Ford Explorer.
2006 – The International Astronomical Union adopted a new definition of a planet, reclassifying Pluto as a dwarf planet.
2014 – A magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes the San Francisco Bay Area; it is the largest in that area since 1989.
2015 – Facebook announced that one billion people had used the social network in a single day for the first time.
2019 – American explorer Victor Vescovo became the first person to reach the deepest point in each of the world’s five oceans after diving to Molloy Deep in the Arctic Ocean.
2023 – Severe thunderstorms swept across Lower Michigan, producing damaging winds and tornadoes. An EF-1 tornado struck northern Kent County, while another tornado reached EF-2 strength in Ingham County.
2023 – Japan officially began discharging treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean, sparking international concerns and condemnation.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON AUGUST 24:
David Freiberg – 88 years old (1938) – Singer and bass player
Mason Williams – 88 years old (1938) – Guitarist and composer
Karen Uhlenbeck – 84 years old (1942) – Mathematician
Ronee Blakley – 81 years old (1945) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actress
Vince McMahon – 81 years old (1945) – Wrestler, promoter, and entrepreneur; co-founded WWE
Anne Archer – 79 years old (1947) – Actress and producer
Joe Manchin – 79 years old (1947) – Politician, 34th Governor of West Virginia
Joe Regalbuto – 77 years old (1949) – Actor and director
Orson Scott Card – 75 years old (1951) – Novelist, critic, public speaker, essayist, and columnist
Kevin Dunn – 71 years old (1955) – Actor
Mike Huckabee – 71 years old (1955) – Minister and politician, 44th Governor of Arkansas
Gerry Cooney – 70 years old (1956) – Boxer
Jeffrey Daniel – 69 years old (1957) – Singer-songwriter and dancer
Steve Guttenberg – 68 years old (1958) – Actor and producer
Cal Ripken Jr. – 66 years old (1960) – Baseball player and coach
Craig Kilborn – 64 years old (1962) – Television host
John Bush – 63 years old (1963) – Singer-songwriter
Mark Cerny – 62 years old (1964) – Video game designer, programmer, producer and business executive
Marlee Matlin – 61 years old (1965) – Actress and producer
Reggie Miller – 61 years old (1965) – Basketball player and sportscaster
Shoichi Funaki – 58 years old (1968) – Japanese-American wrestler and sportscaster
Tim Salmon – 58 years old (1968) – Baseball player and sportscaster
Rich Beem – 56 years old (1970) – Golfer
David Gregory – 56 years old (1970) – Journalist
Ava DuVernay – 54 years old (1972) – Director and screenwriter
Todd Young – 54 years old (1972) – Politician
Dave Chappelle – 53 years old (1973) – Comedian, actor, producer and screenwriter
Carmine Giovinazzo – 53 years old (1973) – Actor
Jennifer Lien – 52 years old (1974) – Actress
John Green – 49 years old (1977) – Author and vlogger
Michael Redd – 47 years old (1979) – Basketball player
Chad Michael Murray – 45 years old (1981) – Actor, model, and author
Brett Gardner – 43 years old (1983) – Baseball player
Charlie Villanueva – 42 years old (1984) – Dominican-American basketball player
Arian Foster – 40 years old (1986) – Football player, rapper, and actor
Luke Lawrence – 36 years old (1990) – Sailor
Kelsey Plum – 32 years old (1994) – Basketball player
Noah Vonleh – 31 years old (1995) – Basketball player
Sofia Richie – 28 years old (1998) – Model and social media personality
Griffin Gluck – 26 years old (2000) – Actor
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR AUGUST 24:
- National Waffle Day: Golden crispy breakfast delights that are fluffy on the inside, perfect for loading up with whipped cream, berries, or maple syrup.
- Kobe Bryant Day: The legendary basketball player who inspired millions with his fierce dedication, incredible talent, and unforgettable moments on the court.
- National Knife Day: Pull the trigger and buy that knife set you’ve always wanted, or take some time on National Knife Day to sharpen up those tools and practice your chopping skills.
- Vesuvius Day: Pay tribute to the devastation of Pompeii and the most well-known eruption of one of history’s deadliest volcanoes, Mount Vesuvius, which is still active.
- Pluto Demoted Day: Learn more about the celestial body formerly classified as a planet: Pluto. Dig into its history, do a science project, or watch a documentary about it.
- National Peach Pie Day: A delectable creation that pays homage to the sweet essence of sun-kissed orchards, embracing tradition and delighting the senses.
- International Strange Music Day: Break out of your comfort zone and listen to some genuinely weird music, or try making your own with unique instruments, atonal scales, and uncommon sounds.
- William Wilberforce Day: William Wilberforce Day is a celebration of a man who dedicated his life to fighting for justice and equality. As a leading figure in the movement to abolish the transatlantic slave trade, Wilberforce spent decades tirelessly campaigning against one of history's greatest injustices. His perseverance and deep sense of moral duty...
- Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
- Rtveli: Rtveli is a vibrant grape harvest festival celebrated across Georgia. It is a joyful blend of hard work and celebration. It's a time when people unite to collect the fruits of their labor and honor the cultural heritage of winemaking that has been cherished for generations. The festival extends beyond...
- National Composites Week: National Composites Week is an event that spotlights the critical role composite materials play in various industries. These materials, known for their strength, durability, and flexibility, are used in everything from aerospace to everyday consumer goods. During this week, the spotlight is on the innovative ways these composites enhance product performance...
- National Aviation Week: National Aviation Week is a time to look up and celebrate the sky's vastness and the marvels that allow us to explore it. This special week highlights the incredible journey of human flight, from the Wright brothers' first successful airplane to today’s sophisticated aircraft. It's a chance to reflect on...
- Navasard: Navasard is the ancient Armenian New Year, a celebration that once united communities in festivities and tribute to their gods. Marking the start of a new cycle, it was a time when people believed divine forces came down to the Earth. With music, dance, and communal feasts, it reflected a...
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