32 fun facts for August, 24
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
August 24th is a day filled with a variety of history, celebrations like National Waffle Day, and significant events like the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. This day includes achievements of Amelia Earhart and the release of iconic gadgets and games such as Sega Game Gear and Microsoft Windows 95.
32 Fun facts
- In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae under a thick layer of ash and debris. The eruption killed approximately 16,000 people and preserved the cities in a time capsule that still draws tourists and archaeologists today.
- On August 24, 1456, the first edition of the Gutenberg Bible was completed. The Bible was printed with the use of the Gutenberg printing press, which marked the beginning of the mass production of books and is considered a turning point in the history of printing.
- In 1891, Thomas Edison patents the Kinetoscope, a motion picture viewer designed to present films to a single viewer at a time. This invention marked the birth of modern cinema and paved the way for the film industry we know today.
- The United States National Park Service, responsible for managing the country's national parks, was established on August 24, 1916. Today, the NPS oversees more than 400 sites, attracting millions of visitors each year.
- On August 24, 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly nonstop across the United States, piloting a Lockheed Vega 5B from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey. With this flight, she set another record for the fastest time taken to complete the journey in just under 20 hours.
- In 1954, Brazilian President Getúlio Vargas committed suicide, ending his second term as the president of Brazil. Vargas was a dominant political figure in Brazil, and his death marked the end of an era in the country's political landscape.
- August 24 marks Ukraine's Independence Day. On this day in 1991, Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union following a coup attempt in Moscow just days earlier, leading to the eventual dissolution of the USSR.
- On August 24, 1959, the first ever Little League World Series Championship game was held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The event has since become an annual, internationally recognized youth baseball tournament.
- In 1967, rock band the Beatles held a press conference in Bangor, Wales, announcing their newfound interest in meditation and intention to study with Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India. This marked a major turning point in the band's music and personal beliefs.
- August 24 is National Waffle Day in the United States, honoring the anniversary of Cornelius Swartwout's patent on the waffle iron in 1869. Waffle lovers across the nation celebrate with stacks of delicious, golden-brown waffles.
- In 1968, French singer Mireille Mathieu broke the international television record with her 172th appearance on TV within 3 years. She has since been named the "ambassador of French chanson" and continues her successful career.
- On August 24, 1979, American rock band the Knack topped the charts with their single "My Sharona." The song became emblematic of the new wave music genre and remains a staple of 70s and 80s pop culture.
- In 1981, Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of John Lennon, former member of the Beatles. Chapman remains behind bars for his crime, repeatedly denied parole in the years since the assassination.
- August 24 is International Strange Music Day, a day to explore and appreciate unconventional, out-of-the-box music genres and styles. Fans of unconventional music have the opportunity to discover new artists and share their favorites with others on this day.
- The first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps took place on August 24, 1857. Englishman John Tyndall reached the summit alongside several guides, making history in the world of mountain climbing.
- Canadian singer and songwriter Celine Dion launched her multi-year residency show "A New Day..." at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on August 24, 2002. The show went on to become one of the most successful concert residency programs ever, lasting for a total of five years.
- On August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined the definition of a "planet," leading to Pluto being reclassified as a "dwarf planet." This decision remains a subject of debate among the scientific community and space enthusiasts alike.
- August 24 is International Day Against Intolerance, Discrimination, and Violence Based on Musical Preferences. The day aims to promote an understanding and acceptance of different music tastes and unite people through music.
- On August 24, 1919, the Lafayette Theatre in New York premiered "The Ouija Board," a silent movie directed by George Cloyd Hobart. The film's plot involved a woman using a Ouija board to communicate with her deceased husband.
- August 24, 1987, marked the release of the song "La Bamba," by musician Los Lobos. The song, which became a hit single worldwide, was the title track for the film of the same name about the life and music of late singer Ritchie Valens.
- On August 24, 2012, scientists announced the discovery of the smallest exoplanet (an extrasolar planet that orbits around a star other than the Sun). The planet, named Kepler-42c, is just 30 light-years from Earth.
- In India, August 24 is observed as National Small Industry Day, aimed at promoting the growth and development of micro and small-scale industries in the country. The day encourages innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit among Indian citizens.
- On August 24, 1985, American sitcom "The Golden Girls" premiered on the television network NBC. The show, which focused on the lives of four older women living together in Miami, became a massive success and remains a classic television favorite.
- August 24 is the annual celebration of National Flag Day in Liberia. The day commemorates the adoption of the Liberian flag in 1847, which represents the country's independence, history, and nationhood.
- Major League Baseball player Reggie Jackson hit his 500th career home run on August 24, 1984, becoming only the 13th player in MLB history to reach this milestone.
- In 1992, professional basketball player and coach Steve Kerr began his NBA career by signing with the Phoenix Suns on August 24. Kerr would go on to be a five-time NBA champion as a player and three-time NBA champion as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors.
- On August 24, 1989, American tennis player Pete Sampras made his professional debut at the age of 18. Sampras went on to have an illustrious tennis career, ending with 14 Grand Slam titles, and is often considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
- In 1991, the Sega Game Gear, a handheld gaming console, was released in North America on August 24. The Game Gear competed directly against Nintendo's Game Boy and was known for its full-color screen and compact design.
- On August 24, 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95, a significant update to the company's operating system. Windows 95 was highly anticipated, selling over a million copies in its first four days on the market.
- August 24 is Venezuela's Day of the Shoots, a national public holiday that celebrates the Battle of Lake Maracaibo in 1823, where Venezuelan independence was achieved.
- On August 24, 2000, the Nintendo 64 game "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask" was first released in Japan. The game went on to become a critical and commercial success, being re-released for various Nintendo systems over the years.
- August 24 is National Knife Day in the United States, a celebration of the craftsmanship, utility, and community surrounding knives and the knife industry. Knife collectors and enthusiasts celebrate the day by showcasing their collections, offering discounts on gear, and joining discussions on their favorite knives and accessories.