Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
January 24 Saturday, January 24, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 24 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
3
Holidays
914
War 1112 years ago
Start of the First Fatimid invasion of Egypt.
The Fatimids launch their first invasion of Egypt, beginning a campaign to extend their caliphate's control over the strategically vital region.
History
What happened on January 24
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 41World history
Claudius is proclaimed Roman emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula.
Claudius becomes Roman emperor after the Praetorian Guard assassinates his nephew Caligula.
- 914War
Start of the First Fatimid invasion of Egypt.
The Fatimids launch their first invasion of Egypt, beginning a campaign to extend their caliphate's control over the strategically vital region.
- 1438European history
The Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV.
The Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV for refusing to abdicate and move the papal court to Basel.
- 1458European history
Matthias Corvinus is elected King of Hungary.
Matthias Corvinus is elected King of Hungary and later becomes one of the country's most renowned rulers.
- 1536UK history
King Henry VIII of England suffers an accident while jousting, leading to a brain injury that historians say may have influenced his later erratic behaviour and possible impotence.
King Henry VIII sustains a severe head injury during a jousting tournament, potentially affecting his mental state and health in subsequent years.
- 1651World history
Arauco War: Spanish and Mapuche authorities meet in the Parliament of Boroa renewing the fragile peace established at the parliaments of Quillín in 1641 and 1647.
Spanish and Mapuche authorities meet in the Parliament of Boroa to renew the fragile peace established previously.
- 1679UK history
King Charles II of England dissolves the Cavalier Parliament.
King Charles II dissolves the Cavalier Parliament, ending nearly a decade of parliamentary rule.
- 1742European history
Charles VII Albert becomes Holy Roman Emperor.
Charles VII Albert becomes the first non-Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor in over three centuries, breaking the dynasty's hold on the imperial crown.
- 1758European history
During the Seven Years' War the leading burghers of Königsberg submit to Elizabeth of Russia, thus forming Russian Prussia (until 1763).
The burghers of Königsberg submit to Elizabeth of Russia, establishing Russian control over the region until 1763.
- 1848US history
California Gold Rush: James W. Marshall finds gold at Sutter's Mill near Sacramento.
James W. Marshall discovers gold at Sutter's Mill near Sacramento, sparking the California Gold Rush.
- 1857World history
The University of Calcutta is formally founded as the first fully fledged university in South Asia.
The University of Calcutta is established as South Asia's first fully fledged university, pioneering modern higher education in the region.
- 1968War
Vietnam War: The 1st Australian Task Force launches Operation Coburg against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong during wider fighting around Long Bình and Biên Hòa.
The 1st Australian Task Force initiates Operation Coburg against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong in the Long Bình and Biên Hòa areas.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 24
7 this date All birthdays
Paul Fejos
Hungarian-born American director
Paul Fejos, the Hungarian-American director who made feature films and documentaries across multiple countries and later became a prominent anthropologist, was born today in 1897.
Born
1897
Died
1963
Warren Zevon
American singer-songwriter
1947 – 2003
Ade Edmondson
English comedian and musician
b. 1957 · 69
Phil LaMarr
American actor and comedian
b. 1967 · 59
Kristen Schaal
American actress, voice artist, comedian and writer
b. 1978 · 48
Mischa Barton
English-American actress
b. 1986 · 40
Zack Kassian
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1991 · 35
Music
The number one songs on January 24
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on January 24, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport January 24, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science January 24, 1990
Japan launches Hiten, the country's first lunar probe, the first robotic lunar probe since the Soviet Union's Luna 24 in 1976, and the first lunar probe launched by a country other than Soviet Union or the United States.
Japan launches Hiten, its first lunar probe and the first by a nation other than the Soviet Union or the United States since Luna 24.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Day of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities (Romania)
International
The Day of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities or, unofficially, the Little Union Day, is a public holiday of Romania celebrated every 24 January to commemorate the unification of the Roman
Uttar Pradesh Day (Uttar Pradesh, India)
International
Uttar Pradesh Day is celebrated as foundation day of Indian state, Uttar Pradesh
National Girl Child Day (India)
International
The National Girl Child Day is celebrated in India every year on January 24