Fact 1: Emancipation Day in Utah
July 24 marks the celebration of Emancipation Day in Utah, a regional holiday in the United States. This day commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Salt Lake Valley in 1847, who were escaping persecution in the eastern United States.
Fact 2: Rosetta Stone Discovery
On July 24, 1799, the Rosetta Stone was discovered during Napoleon Bonaparte's Egyptian campaign. The Rosetta Stone has since played a key role in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, essentially unlocking the door to understanding ancient Egyptian civilization.
Fact 3: Debut of Amelia Earhart
In aviation history, July 24 is notable as the day when Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the United States non-stop. The landmark flight from Los Angeles to Newark took place in 1932.
Fact 4: National Tequila Day in the US
For those who love a good margarita or a shot of this Mexican spirit, July 24 is a day to celebrate as it is National Tequila Day in the United States. This isn't an official holiday, but plenty of people across the country raise a glass in celebration.
Fact 5: The first test-tube baby
On July 24, 1978, the world's first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, was born in England. This marked a milestone in medical science involving conception through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Fact 6: Opening of the Humber Bridge
July 24, 1981 saw the opening of the Humber Bridge in England. At the time of its completion, it was the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world, a title it held for 16 years.
Fact 7: Mysterious Bermuda Triangle
Interestingly, July 24 marks an eerie day in the history of mysterious Bermuda Triangle disappearances. In 1948, the Star Tiger, a British South American Airways aircraft vanished seemingly without a trace.
Fact 8: The Eagles Greatest Hits Go Platinum
On July 24,1976, 'Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975' by the Eagles became the first album to be certified platinum by the RIAA. The platinum certification represents the sale of 1 million copies of an album.
Fact 9: Machu Picchu Rediscovery
American explorer Hiram Bingham and his team discovered the iconic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes on July 24, 1911, placing this magnificent historical wonder on the contemporary world map.
Fact 10: Closing of the 2012 Summer Olympics
The London 2012 Summer Olympics officially closed on July 24, marking the end of a historic global event that showcased the athletic prowess of individuals from more than 200 countries.
Fact 11: Death of Peter Sellers, the Pink Panther
Famed British actor and comedian Peter Sellers died on July 24, 1980. He is best remembered for his role as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau in the widely loved Pink Panther comedy movie series.
Fact 12: NASA’s Viking 1 Lander
On July 24, 1975, NASA's Viking 1 Lander successfully landed on Mars. It became the first U.S. spacecraft to touch down on the red planet, paving the way for future space exploration.
Fact 13: Microsoft Releases Windows 95
July 24, 1995, marked a significant step in computer technology as Microsoft released the much-anticipated Windows 95. The operating system introduced numerous features, including the Start Menu, which is now synonymous with Windows.
Fact 14: Peru Independence Day
July 24 is not just an ordinary day in Peru. The nation commemorates their Independence Day, marking the end of the Spanish colonial rule that occurred back in 1821.
Fact 15: The First Tour de France
The sports world saw history made on July 24, 1903, with the conclusion of the first-ever Tour de France. The inaugural cycling race has since evolved into one of the most prestigious cycling tournaments globally.
Fact 16: National Cousins Day
July 24th is National Cousins Day in the United States. It's a day to reach out and let your cousins know how much they mean to you.
Fact 17: Birthday of Amelia Earhart
Interestingly, July 24 not only marks the day Earhart completed her solo flight but also her birthday. She was born on this day in 1897.
Fact 18: Completion of Mont Blanc Tunnel
On July 24, 1965, the Mont Blanc Tunnel between France and Italy was completed after nearly eight years of construction. It remains one of the longest highway tunnels in the world.
Fact 19: Release of "Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation"
The fifth installment of the highly successful 'Mission Impossible' film series, 'Rogue Nation', was released on July 24, 2015. The movie became one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
Fact 20: National Drive-Thru Day
July 24 is celebrated as National Drive-Thru Day in the United States. It honors the modern convenience and speed of purchasing food, banking, and other services without needing to leave one's car.