Discover what happened on June 24 in history, featuring major moments in technology, sports, law, entertainment, and notable events connected to Michigan history.
What Happened on June 24 in History?
Important events on this day include the National Football League officially receiving its name, Apple releasing the iPhone 4, the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, and the first recorded UFO sighting that launched America’s flying saucer craze.
JUNE 24 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1844 – Charles Goodyear was granted a patent for vulcanized rubber.
1896 – Booker T. Washington became the first African American to receive an honorary MA degree from Howard University.
1905 – Nick Fink Jr. of Comstock Park, MI escaped serious injury when he made the first area airplane flight. His home-built pedal plane crashed into a telephone pole.
1916 – Mary Pickford became the first female film star to sign a million dollar contract.
1922 – The American Professional Football Association took the name of The National Football League.
1933 – A reconstructed Fort Michilimackinac opened to the public in Mackinaw City, MI.
1940 – TV cameras were used for the first time in a political convention as the Republican party convened in Philadelphia, PA.
1947 – Kenneth Arnold reported seeing flying saucers over Mt. Rainier, WA.
1949 – The first television western, “Hopalong Cassidy”, was aired on NBC, starring William Boyd.
1953 – John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier announced their engagement.
1957 – In Roth vs. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment.
1962 – The New York Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers, 9-7, after 22 innings.
1964 – The Federal Trade Commission announced that starting in 1965, cigarette manufactures would be required to include warnings about the harmful effects of smoking on their packaging.
1971 – The National Basketball Association modified its four-year eligibility rule to allow for collegiate hardship cases.
1982 – The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that no President could be sued for damages connected with actions taken while serving as President of the United States.
1986 – The Empire State Building was designated a National Historic Landmark.
1987 – The Mel Brooks spoof film “Spaceballs” premiered in theaters.
1997 – The U.S. Air Force released a report titled “The Roswell Report, Case Closed” that dismissed the claims that an alien spacecraft had crashed in Roswell, NM, in 1947. The report suggested that the alien bodies witnesses in reported seeing were actually life-sized dummies.
1998 – AT&T Corp. struck a deal to buy cable TV giant Tele-Communications Inc. for $31.7 billion.
1998 – Walt Disney World Resort admitted its 600-millionth guest.
2001 – It was announced that Kelsey Grammer would earn an all-time TV record salary of $1.6 million per episode for “Frasier”.
2002 – The Supreme Court ruled that juries, not judges, must make the decision to give a convicted killer the death penalty.
2005 – The movie “March of the Penquins” premiered in theaters.
2007 – Paris Hilton was sprung from jail after serving 23 days of her original 45-day sentence for probation violation.
2010 – Apple released the iPhone 4.
2021 – In Surfside, Florida, the Champlain Towers South condominium partially collapsed, killing 98 people inside.
2022 – The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, holding that there was no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion. Abortion rights would be determined by the states.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JUNE 24:
Oswald Veblen – 146 years old (1880) – Mathematician and academic (g. 1960)
Terry Riley – 91 years old (1935) – Composer and educator
Charlie Dees – 91 years old (1935) – Baseball player
Anita Desai – 89 years old (1937) – Indian-American author and academic
Lawrence Block – 88 years old (1938) – Author
Judy Olson Duhamel – 87 years old (1939) – Politician and educator
Michele Lee – 84 years old (1942) – Actress and singer
Kathryn Lasky – 82 years old (1944) – Author
George Pataki – 81 years old (1945) – Lawyer and politician, 53rd Governor of New York
Robert Reich – 80 years old (1946) – Economist and politician, 22nd United States Secretary of Labor
Mick Fleetwood – 79 years old (1947) – English-American drummer
Peter Weller – 79 years old (1947) – Actor and director
Nancy Allen – 76 years old (1950) – Actress
Mercedes Lackey – 76 years old (1950) – Author
William E. Moerner – 73 years old (1953) – Chemist and physicist, Nobel Prize laureate
Loren Roberts – 71 years old (1955) – Golfer
Mark Parkinson – 69 years old (1957) – Lawyer and politician, 45th Governor of Kansas
John Tortorella – 68 years old (1958) – Ice hockey player and coach
Siedah Garrett – 66 years old (1960) – Singer-songwriter and pianist
Ralph E. Reed – 65 years old (1961) – Jr. , American journalist and activist
Preki – 63 years old (1963) – Serbian-American soccer player and coach
Gary Suter – 62 years old (1964) – Ice hockey player and scout
Hope Sandoval – 60 years old (1966) – Singer-songwriter and musician
Alaa Abdelnaby – 58 years old (1968) – Egyptian-American basketball player and sportscaster
Glenn Medeiros – 56 years old (1970) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Chris Guccione – 52 years old (1974) – Baseball player and umpire
Brock Olivo – 50 years old (1976) – Football player and coach
Ariel Pink – 48 years old (1978) – Singer-songwriter
Mindy Kaling – 47 years old (1979) – Actress and producer
Minka Kelly – 46 years old (1980) – Actress
JJ Redick – 42 years old (1984) – Basketball player and coach
Phil Hughes – 40 years old (1986) – Baseball player
Solange Knowles – 40 years old (1986) – Singer-songwriter and actress
Nichkhun – 38 years old (1988) – Thai-American singer and actor
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JUNE 24:
- Swim a Lap Day: Swimming is great for your physical health, giving you cardio and strength training in one. Take a Lap around the pool to boost your both your health and mood.
- Reserves Day: Honor reservists who balance civilian careers with military service. Discover Reserves Day traditions, ways to show support, and why these forces matter.
- National Patch Day: National Patch Day celebrates sending fabric patches to kids facing serious illness, turning small handmade gifts into powerful symbols of hope, care, and connection.
- National Day of Joy: Celebrate National Day of Joy by savoring simple moments, sharing kindness, and boosting well‑being with laughter, connection, creativity, and movement.
- National Parchment Day: Celebrate National Parchment Day by discovering eco-friendly, low-fat cooking techniques that lock in flavor, simplify cleanup, and transform everyday meals.
- National Pralines Day: Indulge yourself in the rich, creamy, chocolatey treat known as pralines. Gather a few and host a taste-test, or try your hand and making them yourself.
- National Bakewell Tart Day: Savor the exquisite blend of almond-infused goodness in a dessert that epitomizes the perfect harmony of flavors.
- International Fairy Day: Join a festival or celebration that honors the mythical fairie, or settle in to read or watch a fairie tale featuring these remarkable, captivating creatures.
- National Upcycling Day: Dig out those unused clothes, accessories, even furniture and “upcycle” them into something new with a bit of creativity and tender loving care.
- Patagonian New Year: The Patagonian New Year marks a special time when nature begins to awaken after the long winter. It's celebrated by indigenous communities across Patagonia, with the solstice playing a key role. As the shortest day of the year ends, the days start to lengthen, symbolizing renewal. People gather to honor...
- Celebration of the Senses Day: Celebrate the Senses Day honors sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, inspiring mindful moments, gratitude, and deeper awareness of everyday life.
- Festa Junina: Discover Festa Junina, Brazil’s vibrant winter festival of corn-based foods, bonfires, forró music, and quadrilha dances that honor rural life and community.
- Rabbit Week: Rabbit Week is an engaging event that raises awareness of rabbit well-being and encourages everyone to understand the unique needs of these beloved pets. Celebrating Rabbit Week raises awareness about proper rabbit care, emphasizing that rabbits are more than cute, furry animals. They require specific environments, diets, and medical care...
- St. Jean Baptiste Day: Discover the meaning of St. Jean Baptiste Day, honoring Quebecois heritage with parades, music, fireworks, and traditions that celebrate French Canadian identity.
- Feast of San Giovanni: Discover the Feast of San Giovanni, honoring Saint John the Baptist with parades, fireworks, traditional Italian food, church visits, and joyful community spirit.
- International Day of Women in Diplomacy: Not every international day sparks real conversation, but this one should. The International Day of Women in Diplomacy isn’t just about praise. It’s about looking at the facts and asking why global decisions still happen without enough women in the room. But this day isn’t just about numbers or strategy. It’s...
- National Relationship Equity Day: National Relationship Equity Day is all about fairness in love. It’s a time when couples take a step back and ask, “Are we supporting each other equally?” Not just splitting chores or bills, but really looking at how they share effort, time, and emotional care. Some people are great at planning...
- Cat World Domination Day: Cats don’t ask for power—they already have it. Cat World Domination Day gives a playful wink to that quiet takeover. A single paw swipe, a nap on your fresh laundry, and everything stops for them. Their silence speaks louder than barking ever could. We don’t fight it—we adjust. They know...
- Midsummer Day: It's the time of year when the sun shines brighter and the nights grow shorter. Celebrate the season with bonfires, flowers, and fun!
- St. John’s Day: St. John's Day marks a day of great significance for many around the globe. This day commemorates the birth of John the Baptist, a key figure in Christian tradition known for his role in preparing the way for Jesus Christ. Born in the 1st century B.C., John the Baptist was a...
- National Play Catch Week: Connecting through a simple toss, a timeless game fosters bonds, laughter, and shared moments of pure joy.
- Insect Week: Insect Week is an exciting celebration dedicated to the fascinating world of insects. This week-long event features a variety of engaging activities and events designed to highlight the importance of insects in our lives. From art and photography competitions to educational workshops and bug hunts, there’s something for everyone to...
- National Craft Spirits Week: National Craft Spirits Week is a lively celebration of small-batch distillers across the country. Walk into a distillery during National Craft Spirits Week, and the air feels different. There’s the scent of oak, spice, and citrus. Bottles line the walls, each with its own label and story. This week isn’t about...
- National Lightning Safety Awareness Week: National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, celebrated in June, sparks crucial conversations about a powerful natural phenomenon. This week is vital because lightning strikes can be deadly, causing significant injuries and fatalities each year. Despite its potential dangers, lightning often doesn't receive the attention it deserves compared to other weather-related threats. How to...
- English Wine Week: English Wine Week is a vibrant celebration of the burgeoning English wine industry. It's an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to explore the diversity and quality of wines produced across the country. Vineyards open their doors, offering a range of activities like tours, tastings, and special events. This week is not...
- International Phace Syndrome Awareness Week: PHACE Syndrome Awareness Week brings attention to a rare condition that often starts with a bright red birthmark on a child’s face. This mark can signal deeper medical problems involving the brain, heart, eyes, or arteries. Parents usually notice the birthmark first, but doctors soon find more going on. That moment...
- Windjammer Days: Windjammer Days is a lively celebration where elegant tall ships sail into Boothbay Harbor’s calm waters. The day bursts with energy as colorful vessels glide in and gather off Cabbage Island. Crowds line the shore, cheering and snapping photos as sails unfurl and boats drift under bright skies. That harbor...
- National Roller Coaster Week: National Roller Coaster Week highlights the thrill of sharp turns, steep drops, and fast rides. Parks stay packed as people chase that quick burst of fear and fun. Some come for their first ride, others for their hundredth. Either way, they’re there for the same reason—to feel something real for...
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