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
June 24 Wednesday, June 24, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on June 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
5
Holidays
1314
European history 712 years ago
First War of Scottish Independence: The Battle of Bannockburn concludes with a decisive victory by Scottish forces led by Robert the Bruce.
Robert the Bruce leads Scottish forces to a decisive victory over English troops at the Battle of Bannockburn, securing Scottish independence.
History
What happened on June 24
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -1312War
Mursili II launches a campaign against the Kingdom of Azzi-Hayasa.
Mursili II leads a military campaign against the Kingdom of Azzi-Hayasa to protect Hittite borders.
- 109World history
Roman emperor Trajan inaugurates the Aqua Traiana, an aqueduct that channels water from Lake Bracciano, 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Rome.
Trajan inaugurates the Aqua Traiana, an aqueduct bringing water from Lake Bracciano to Rome.
- 474World history
Julius Nepos forces Roman usurper Glycerius to abdicate the throne and proclaims himself Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
Julius Nepos becomes emperor of the Western Roman Empire after forcing Glycerius to abdicate.
- 637European history
The Battle of Moira is fought between the High King of Ireland and the Kings of Ulster and Dál Riata. It is claimed to be the largest battle in the history of Ireland.
The Battle of Moira is fought between the High King of Ireland and a coalition of kings from Ulster and Dál Riata, considered the largest battle in Irish history.
- 843European history
The Vikings sack the French city of Nantes.
Viking raiders attack and plunder the French city of Nantes.
- 972European history
Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces, takes place.
Mieszko I wins the Battle of Cedynia against Slavic forces, marking the first recorded military success for Polish troops.
- 1128European history
Battle of São Mamede, near Guimarães: Forces led by Afonso I defeat forces led by his mother Teresa of León and her lover Fernando Pérez de Traba.
Afonso I defeats his mother Teresa of León and her lover Fernando Pérez de Traba at the Battle of São Mamede near Guimarães, securing his claim to Portuguese independence.
- 1230European history
The Siege of Jaén begins, in the context of the Spanish Reconquista.
Christian forces begin the siege of Jaén, a key Muslim-held city in their campaign to reconquer Andalusia.
- 1314European history
First War of Scottish Independence: The Battle of Bannockburn concludes with a decisive victory by Scottish forces led by Robert the Bruce.
Robert the Bruce leads Scottish forces to a decisive victory over English troops at the Battle of Bannockburn, securing Scottish independence.
- 1340War
Hundred Years' War: Battle of Sluys: The French fleet is almost completely destroyed by the English fleet commanded personally by King Edward III.
King Edward III leads the English fleet to a decisive victory over the French at the Battle of Sluys.
- 1497US history
John Cabot lands in North America at Newfoundland leading the first European exploration of the region since the Vikings.
John Cabot leads the first European exploration of Newfoundland since the Vikings.
- 1571European history
Miguel López de Legazpi conquers Manila for Spain, modern day capital of the Philippines.
Miguel López de Legazpi establishes Spanish control over Manila, transforming the settlement into the colonial capital of the Philippines.
Born today
Famous birthdays on June 24
7 this date All birthdays
Karl Selter
Estonian politician, 14th Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Karl Selter, Estonian politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1938 to 1939, was born today in 1898 and is remembered for signing a mutual assistance treaty with the Soviet Union.
Born
1898
Died
1958
William Arnold
English-American settler
1587 – 1675
Samuel Johnson
Nigerian priest and historian
1846 – 1901
Jean Deslauriers
Canadian violinist, composer, and conductor
1909 – 1978
Graham McKenzie
Australian cricketer
b. 1941 · 85
Iain Glen
Scottish actor
b. 1961 · 65
Minka Kelly
American actress
b. 1980 · 46
Music
The number one songs on June 24
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on June 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 June 24, 2010
At Wimbledon, John Isner of the United States defeats Nicolas Mahut of France, in the longest match in professional tennis history.
John Isner wins against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon, setting a record for the longest professional tennis match.
Read the story
🔬 Science June 24, 1938
Pieces of a meteorite land near Chicora, Pennsylvania. The meteorite is estimated to have weighed 450 metric tons when it hit the Earth's atmosphere and exploded.
A massive meteorite, estimated at 450 metric tons, explodes in the Earth's atmosphere and lands near Chicora, Pennsylvania.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Army Day or Battle of Carabobo Day (Venezuela)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Bannockburn Day (Scotland)
International
The Battle of Bannockburn was fought on 23-24 June 1314, between the army of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, and the army of King Edward II of England, during the First War of Scottish Independence
Day of the Caboclo (Amazonas, Brazil)
International
A caboclo is a person of mixed Indigenous Brazilian and European ancestry, or, less commonly, a culturally assimilated or detribalized person of full Amerindian descent
Inti Raymi, a winter solstice festival and a New Year in the Andes of the Southern Hemisphere (Sacsayhuamán)
International
The Inti Raymi is a traditional religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of the god Inti, the most venerated deity in Inca religion
Fors Fortuna, ancient Roman festival to Fortuna
International
Fortuna, sometimes anglicized as Fortune, is the goddess of luck or fortune in Roman religion