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
September 24 Thursday, September 24, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 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
7
Holidays
1568
US history 458 years ago
Spanish naval forces defeat an English fleet, under the command of John Hawkins, at the Battle of San Juan de Ulúa near Veracruz.
Spanish naval forces defeat an English fleet commanded by John Hawkins at San Juan de Ulúa near Veracruz, leaving only two English ships to escape.
History
What happened on September 24
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 787Religion
The Second Council of Nicaea begins at the Church of Holy Wisdom in the city of Nicaea in Bithynia.
The Second Council of Nicaea convenes at the Church of Holy Wisdom to address Christological disputes and reaffirm orthodox Christian teachings.
- 1568US history
Spanish naval forces defeat an English fleet, under the command of John Hawkins, at the Battle of San Juan de Ulúa near Veracruz.
Spanish naval forces defeat an English fleet commanded by John Hawkins at San Juan de Ulúa near Veracruz, leaving only two English ships to escape.
- 1645UK history
The Battle of Rowton Heath in England occurs, ending in a Parliamentarian victory over a Royalist army commanded in person by King Charles I.
Parliamentarian forces defeat King Charles I's Royalist army at the Battle of Rowton Heath, a significant victory during the English Civil War.
- 1674Royalty
Second Tantrik Coronation of Shivaji.
Shivaji is crowned for a second time in an elaborate Tantrik ceremony.
- 1789US history
The United States Congress passes the Judiciary Act, creating the office of the Attorney General and federal judiciary system and ordering the composition of the Supreme Court.
The U.S. Congress establishes the office of the Attorney General and outlines the structure of the federal judiciary and Supreme Court.
- 1852Technology
The first powered, passenger-carrying airship, the Giffard dirigible, travels 17 miles (27 km) from Paris to Trappes.
Henri Giffard's dirigible completes a 17-mile journey from Paris to Trappes, marking the first powered flight with passengers.
- 1869US history
Black Friday (1869): Gold prices plummet after United States President Ulysses S. Grant orders the Treasury to sell large quantities of gold after Jay Gould and James Fisk plot to control the market.
Ulysses S. Grant orders the Treasury to sell gold, causing prices to plummet and ending Jay Gould and James Fisk's attempt to corner the market.
- 1906US history
Racial tensions exacerbated by rumors lead to the Atlanta Race Riot, further increasing racial segregation.
Fueled by inflammatory newspaper reports and false rumors of Black assaults on white women, white mobs attack Black residents and businesses in Atlanta, killing dozens and accelerating Jim Crow segregation across the South.
- 1950Disaster
The eastern United States is covered by a thick haze from the Chinchaga fire in western Canada.
A dense haze from the Chinchaga fire in western Canada blankets much of the eastern United States.
- 2005Disaster
Hurricane Rita makes landfall in the United States, devastating portions of southwestern Louisiana and extreme southeastern Texas.
Hurricane Rita devastates parts of southwestern Louisiana and extreme southeastern Texas.
- 2015Disaster
At least 1,100 people are killed and another 934 wounded after a stampede during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
A stampede at the Hajj in Mecca kills at least 1,100 people and wounds 934.
- 2023Science
NASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule containing samples from the asteroid 101955 Bennu successfully lands back on Earth.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule returns to Earth with samples collected from the asteroid 101955 Bennu.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 24
7 this date All birthdays
Richard Bong
American soldier and pilot, Medal of Honor recipient
Richard Ira "Dick" Bong, the top American fighter ace of World War II with 40 confirmed victories flying the P-38 Lightning, was born today in 1920.
Born
1920
Died
1945
Johan de Witt
Dutch mathematician and politician
1625 – 1672
Cardiss Collins
American lawyer and politician
1931 – 2013
Amy Sky
Canadian singer-songwriter, producer, and actress
b. 1960 · 66
Ilgvars Zalāns
Latvian painter
b. 1962 · 64
Robert Irvine
English chef and television host
b. 1965 · 61
Ben Platt
American actor, singer, and songwriter
b. 1993 · 33
Music
The number one songs on September 24
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 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 September 24, 1935
Earl and Weldon Bascom produce the first rodeo ever held outdoors under electric lights.
Earl and Weldon Bascom stage the first outdoor rodeo illuminated by electric lights.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 24, 2023
NASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule containing samples from the asteroid 101955 Bennu successfully lands back on Earth.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule returns to Earth with samples collected from the asteroid 101955 Bennu.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (Peru)
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
Constitution Day (Cambodia)
International
Cambodia has numerous public holidays, including memorial holidays and religious holidays of Buddhist origin
Heritage Day (South Africa)
International
Heritage Day is a South African public holiday celebrated on 24 September
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Guinea-Bissau from Portugal in 1973.
International
This is a list of the ten holidays in Guinea-Bissau
Mahidol Day (Thailand)
International
Public holidays in Thailand are regulated by the government, and most are observed by both the public and private sectors
New Caledonia Day (New Caledonia)
International
New Caledonia is a French territory consisting of a group of islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean, 220 km (140 mi) southwest of Vanuatu and 1,210 km (750 mi) east of Australia