October 24 is the 297th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 68 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about October 24th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about October 24th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- United Nations Day
- National Mother-in-Law Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – October 24
2007: China Launches Chang’e 1
It was the first spacecraft of China’s Lunar Exploration Program, which is responsible for sending unmanned robotic space probes to the Moon and the lunar orbit in order to better understand Earth’s largest natural satellite. The space probe crashed into the lunar surface on March 2, 2009, after orbiting the Moon for over a year.
1964: Zambian independence
The African country gained independence from British rule with the passage of the Zambia Independence Act 1964 by the UK Parliament.
1945: United Nations founded
The U.N. charter was ratified by the then 5 permanent members and 46 member states.
1930: Coup in Brazil
President Washington Luís was deposed by the heads of the armed forces just 4 years after he came to office. The coup prevented President-elect Júlio Prestes from coming to power and the military junta instead installed Getúlio Vargas as the de facto President of the country. The coup was in part a response to the government’s “coffee with milk policy”, which allowed governance power to be alternated between the coffee producing state of São Paulo and the milk producing state of Minas Gerais. This policy led to a rebellion in some parts of the country, which in turn prompted the army to take action against the government.
1926: Last performance of Houdini
The world famous escape artist performed for the last time at the Garrick Theater in Detroit, Michigan.
1961: Lego brick patented

Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, October 24
1985: Wayne Rooney, English footballer
1981: Tila Tequila, American model, actress, singer
1966: Roman Abramovich, Russian businessman, politician
1962: Dave Blaney, American race car driver
51: Domitian, Roman Emperor
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, October 24
2005: Rosa Parks, American activist
1972: Jackie Robinson, American baseball player
1945: Vidkun Quisling, Norwegian soldier, politician, traitor
1944: Louis Renault, French businessman, co-founded Renault
1601: Tycho Brahe, Danish astronomer, chemist