Here are 10 significant events in world history that occurred on August 24:
Mount Vesuvius
1. **79 CE: Eruption of Mount Vesuvius**
Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae under ash and pumice. The eruption killed thousands and preserved the cities in a state that has provided valuable insights into ancient Roman life.
2. **410 CE: Sack of Rome by the Visigoths**
The Visigoths, led by King Alaric I, sacked Rome after a prolonged siege. This was the first time in nearly 800 years that Rome had fallen to a foreign enemy, marking a critical event in the decline of the Western Roman Empire.
3. **1572: St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre**
A wave of Catholic mob violence against Huguenots (French Protestants) began in Paris, spreading to other parts of France. Tens of thousands of Huguenots were killed, profoundly affecting the course of French religious and political history.
4. **1814: British Troops Burn Washington, D.C.**
During the War of 1812, British forces captured Washington, D.C., and set fire to many government buildings, including the White House and the Capitol. The event was a significant moment in the war between the United States and Britain.
5. **1821: Treaty of Córdoba Signed**
The Treaty of Córdoba was signed, marking the end of the Mexican War of Independence. The treaty effectively recognized Mexico’s independence from Spain.
6. **1939: Signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact**
Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression treaty. The agreement also secretly divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, setting the stage for the start of World War II.
7. **1949: Formation of NATO’s North Atlantic Council**
The North Atlantic Council, NATO’s principal political decision-making body, held its first meeting. This was a significant development in post-World War II international relations, laying the groundwork for military and political cooperation among Western nations during the Cold War.
8. **1954: The Communist Control Act in the United States**
The U.S. Congress passed the Communist Control Act, which outlawed the Communist Party of the United States and prohibited communists from holding office. This act reflected the intense anti-communist sentiment during the early years of the Cold War.
9. **1991: Mikhail Gorbachev Resigns as Head of the Soviet Communist Party**
After the failed August coup, Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as the leader of the Communist Party, signaling the decline of communist power in the Soviet Union. This event was a significant precursor to the dissolution of the Soviet Union later that year.
10. **2006: Pluto Reclassified as a Dwarf Planet**
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined the criteria for planet classification, resulting in Pluto’s demotion from the status of a planet to that of a “dwarf planet.” This decision sparked widespread debate and remains a significant moment in the history of astronomy.
These events highlight the wide range of historical moments that occurred on August 24, from ancient disasters to significant political and scientific milestones.
Here are ten important incidents in Indian history that took place on August 24:
Foundation of Calcutta
1. **Establishment of Calcutta (1690)**: Job Charnock, an agent of the East India Company, established Calcutta, which would later become a significant center of British administration in India.
2. **Birth of K. Kelappan (1889)**: A freedom fighter, social reformer, and educationist from Kerala, Kelappan played a vital role in the Indian independence movement and was closely associated with the Khilafat Movement.
3. **Birth of Bina Das (1911)**: A revolutionary freedom fighter, Bina Das attempted to assassinate the British Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson, in 1932. Her act of defiance made her a symbol of the revolutionary spirit in Bengal.
4. **East India Company’s Ship “Hector” Arrives at Surat (1600)**: This marked the first successful voyage of the East India Company to India, eventually leading to their dominance in the subcontinent.
5. **Birth of Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher (1888)**: Kher was a prominent Congress leader and the first Chief Minister of Bombay
after India’s independence. His contributions to the Indian freedom struggle and post-independence development were significant.
6. **First Border Clashes in Punjab Post-Partition (1947)**: On this day, significant clashes occurred in Punjab following the partition of India, resulting in the death of thousands.
7. **V.V. Giri Becomes the Fourth President of India (1969)**: V.V. Giri was elected as the fourth President of India on this day, after winning a closely contested election.
8. **Retirement of V.V. Giri (1974)**: On this day, V.V. Giri retired as the President of India, marking the end of his five-year term.
9. **Mihir Sen Swims the Gibraltar Strait (1966)**: Mihir Sen, an Indian long-distance swimmer, became the first Asian to swim across the Gibraltar Strait on this day.
10. **Indian Women’s Cricket Star Deepti Sharma’s Birth (1997)**: Deepti Sharma, an Indian cricketer known for her all-round performance, was born on this day in Uttar Pradesh.
These events highlight the diverse aspects of Indian history, from the freedom struggle and the establishment of cities to significant political milestones and sporting achievements.
