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.
On this day
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.
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
The Second Council of Nicaea convenes at the Church of Holy Wisdom to address Christological disputes and reaffirm orthodox Christian teachings.
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.
Parliamentarian forces defeat King Charles I's Royalist army at the Battle of Rowton Heath, a significant victory during the English Civil War.
Shivaji is crowned for a second time in an elaborate Tantrik ceremony.
The U.S. Congress establishes the office of the Attorney General and outlines the structure of the federal judiciary and Supreme Court.
Henri Giffard's dirigible completes a 17-mile journey from Paris to Trappes, marking the first powered flight with passengers.
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.
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.
A dense haze from the Chinchaga fire in western Canada blankets much of the eastern United States.
Hurricane Rita devastates parts of southwestern Louisiana and extreme southeastern Texas.
A stampede at the Hajj in Mecca kills at least 1,100 people and wounds 934.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule returns to Earth with samples collected from the asteroid 101955 Bennu.
Born today
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.
Dutch mathematician and politician
1625 – 1672
American lawyer and politician
1931 – 2013
Canadian singer-songwriter, producer, and actress
b. 1960 · 66
Latvian painter
b. 1962 · 64
English chef and television host
b. 1965 · 61
American actor, singer, and songwriter
b. 1993 · 33
Music
🇬🇧 #1 on September 24, 1981
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
Also #1 on this day
Film & TV
Box-office #1
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
September 24, 1935
Earl and Weldon Bascom stage the first outdoor rodeo illuminated by electric lights.
Read the storySeptember 24, 2023
NASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule returns to Earth with samples collected from the asteroid 101955 Bennu.
Read the storyToday is also
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