What Happened on March 24?

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events

births

deaths

holidays

EVENTS ON MARCH 24

Explore the most important historical events that happened on March 24, featuring key moments that shaped the world.

HMS Eurydice (1843)

Year: 1878

The British frigate HMS Eurydice sinks, killing more than 300.

Robert Koch

Year: 1882

Robert Koch announces the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis.

Tītokowaru

Year: 1869

The last of Tītokowaru's forces surrendered to the New Zealand government, ending his uprising.

Sakuradamon Incident (1860)

Year: 1860

Sakuradamon Incident: Japanese Chief Minister (Tairō) Ii Naosuke is assassinated by rōnin samurai outside the Sakurada Gate of Edo Castle.

President of Venezuela

Year: 1854

President José Gregorio Monagas abolishes slavery in Venezuela.

Carnegie Steel Company

Year: 1900

Carnegie Steel Company is formed in New Jersey; its capitalization of $160 million is the largest to date.

Mayor of New York City

Year: 1900

Mayor of New York City Robert Anderson Van Wyck breaks ground for a new underground "Rapid Transit Railroad" that would link Manhattan and Brooklyn.

World War II

Year: 1944

World War II: In an event later dramatized in the movie The Great Escape, 76 Allied prisoners of war begin breaking out of the German camp Stalag Luft III.

BIRTHS ON MARCH 24

Discover famous people and historical figures born on March 24, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.

Alan Sugar

Year of birth: 1947

Alan Sugar, English businessman

Mick Jones (footballer, born 1947)

Year of birth: 1947

Mick Jones, English footballer and coach (died 2022)

Klaus Dinger

Year of birth: 1946

Klaus Dinger, German guitarist and songwriter (died 2008)

Kitty O'Neil

Year of birth: 1946

Kitty O'Neil, American stuntwoman (died 2018)

Robert T. Bakker

Year of birth: 1945

Robert T. Bakker, American paleontologist and academic

Christine Gregoire

Year of birth: 1947

Christine Gregoire, American lawyer and politician, 22nd Governor of Washington

Dennis Erickson

Year of birth: 1947

Dennis Erickson, American football player and coach

Ranil Wickremesinghe

Year of birth: 1949

Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lankan lawyer and politician, 13th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

DEATHS ON MARCH 24

Look back at notable individuals who passed away on March 24, and learn about their lasting influences on history.

Carl Schuhmann

Year of death: 1946

Carl Schuhmann, German gymnast, shot putter, and jumper (born 1869)

Orde Wingate

Year of death: 1944

Orde Wingate, Indian-English general (born 1903)

Alexander Alekhine

Year of death: 1946

Alexander Alekhine, Russian chess player (born 1892)

Sigrid Hjertén

Year of death: 1948

Sigrid Hjertén, Swedish painter and illustrator (born 1885)

James Rudolph Garfield

Year of death: 1950

James Rudolph Garfield, American lawyer and politician, 23rd United States Secretary of the Interior (born 1865)

Édouard Branly

Year of death: 1940

Édouard Branly, French physicist and academic (born 1844)

Yondonwangchug

Year of death: 1938

Yondonwangchug, Mongolian politician (born 1870)

Margaret Lindsay Huggins

Year of death: 1915

Margaret Lindsay Huggins, Anglo-Irish astronomer (born 1848)

HOLIDAYS ON MARCH 24

See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on March 24 around the world.

March 24 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Christian feast day: March 24 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice

Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice (Argentina)

Right to truth

International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims

Catherine of Vadstena

Christian feast day: Catherine of Vadstena

World Tuberculosis Day

World Tuberculosis Day (International)

Hildelith

Christian feast day: Hildelith of Barking

Mac Cairthinn of Clogher

Christian feast day: Mac Cairthinn of Clogher

Óscar Romero

Christian feast day: Óscar Romero (Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Lutheranism)

March