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
October 24 Saturday, October 24, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 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
1871
Crime 155 years ago
An estimated 17 to 22 Chinese immigrants are lynched in Los Angeles, California.
A violent mob lynches an estimated 17 to 22 Chinese immigrants in Los Angeles, one of the largest mass lynchings in American history.
History
What happened on October 24
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 69Roman history
In the Second Battle of Bedriacum, troops loyal to Vespasian defeat those of Emperor Vitellius.
Vespasian's forces triumph over Vitellius's army in the Second Battle of Bedriacum, securing a crucial victory in the Roman civil war.
- 1260European history
Chartres Cathedral is dedicated in the presence of King Louis IX of France.
King Louis IX attends the dedication of Chartres Cathedral.
- 1260War
After defeating the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut and assassinating the previous Mamluk sultan, Qutuz, Baybars ascends to the Egyptian throne as the fourth sultan of the Mamluk Sultanate.
Baybars becomes the fourth sultan of the Mamluk Sultanate after defeating the Mongols and assassinating Qutuz.
- 1360European history
The Treaty of Brétigny is ratified, marking the end of the first phase of the Hundred Years' War.
The Treaty of Brétigny is ratified, ending the first phase of the Hundred Years' War and establishing a period of peace between England and France.
- 1590US history
John White, the governor of the second Roanoke Colony, returns to England after an unsuccessful search for the "lost" colonists.
John White, governor of the Roanoke Colony, returns to England after failing to locate the settlers who vanished during his absence.
- 1596War
The second Spanish armada sets sail to strike against England, but is smashed by storms off Cape Finisterre forcing a retreat to port.
The second Spanish Armada encounters severe storms off Cape Finisterre, leading to its eventual retreat.
- 1641UK history
Felim O'Neill of Kinard, the leader of the Irish Rebellion, issues his Proclamation of Dungannon, justifying the uprising and declaring continued loyalty to King Charles I of England.
Felim O'Neill issues the Proclamation of Dungannon, justifying the Irish Rebellion and pledging loyalty to King Charles I.
- 1648European history
The Peace of Westphalia is signed, marking the end of the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War.
The Peace of Westphalia ends the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War, establishing principles of state sovereignty.
- 1795European history
Poland is completely consumed by Russia, Prussia and Austria.
Poland ceases to exist as an independent nation as Russia, Prussia, and Austria complete the Third Partition, dividing its remaining territory among themselves.
- 1871Crime
An estimated 17 to 22 Chinese immigrants are lynched in Los Angeles, California.
A violent mob lynches an estimated 17 to 22 Chinese immigrants in Los Angeles, one of the largest mass lynchings in American history.
- 1886World history
Normanton incident: As the British merchant vessel Normanton sinks off the coast of Japan, her European officers appear to commandeer the ship's lifeboats for themselves, leaving her Asian crew and passengers to die and conjuring significant political outrage in Japan.
The sinking of the British merchant vessel Normanton off Japan's coast sparks outrage after European officers take lifeboats, abandoning Asian crew and passengers.
- 1960Technology
Nedelin catastrophe: An R-16 ballistic missile explodes on the launch pad at the Soviet Union's Baikonur Cosmodrome space facility, killing over 100 people, including Field Marshal Mitrofan Nedelin.
A missile explosion at the Baikonur Cosmodrome kills over 100 people, including Field Marshal Nedelin.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 24
7 this date All birthdays
George Crumb
American composer and educator
George Crumb, the American composer who rejected serialism to develop a highly personal avant-garde style ranging from peaceful to nightmarish, would have turned 97 today.
Born
1929
Died
2022
David Stewart
Duke of Rothesay heir to the throne of Scotland
1378 – 1402
Lakshmi Sahgal
Indian Independence movement revolutionary and Officer of Indian National Army
1914 – 2012
Gilbert Bécaud
French singer-songwriter, pianist, and actor
1927 – 2001
Ahmad Shah of Pahang
1930 – 2019
Petar Stoychev
Bulgarian swimmer
b. 1976 · 50
Tila Tequila
Singaporean-American model, actress, and singer
b. 1981 · 45
Music
The number one songs on October 24
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 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 October 24, 2004
Arsenal Football Club loses to Manchester United, ending a row of unbeaten matches at 49 matches, which is the record in the Premier League.
Arsenal's streak of unbeaten matches ends at 49 with a loss to Manchester United, setting a Premier League record.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 24, 1946
A camera on board the V-2 No. 13 rocket takes the first photograph of earth from outer space.
A camera aboard V-2 No. 13 captures the first photograph of Earth from space, marking a milestone in space exploration.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Food Day (United States)
International
Food Day in the United States is celebrated annually on October 24 and often throughout the month
International Day of Diplomats
International
International Day of Diplomats is celebrated on 24 October every year
United Nations Day, the anniversary of the 1945 Charter of the United Nations (International)
International
United Nations Day is an annual commemorative day, reflecting the official creation of the United Nations on 24 October 1945
World Development Information Day
International
In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly decided to institute a World Development Information Day coinciding with United Nations Day on October 24
World Polio Day
International
World Polio Day was established by Rotary International to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis
❝
Music might be defined as a system of proportions in the service of a spiritual impulse.
— George Crumb · born October 24, 1929