Fact 1: The Day March 24 was Introduced
March 24 was introduced to the Julian Calendar, established by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C., by the Romans, who followed a lunar calendar prior to this shift. This introduction marked a significant evolution in the way humans tracked time.
Fact 2: An American Holiday-Celebration on March 24
The United States observes National Chocolate-Covered Raisin Day every March 24. This sweet treat that consists of raisins coated in a shell of either milk chocolate or dark chocolate has been popular for generations.
Fact 3: The Incredible Houdini
World-renowned magician and stunt performer, Harry Houdini, was born on March 24, 1874. He was best known for his sensational escape acts which left his audience always dumbfounded.
Fact 4: The Greek Independence Day
On March 24, 1821, Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire. This marked the end of almost four centuries of foreign rule and was a significant milestone in Greek history.
Fact 5: Fingerprinting Made Official
On March 24, 1903, the New York State Legislature created a two-fold system of identification that included anthropometry, a systematic recording of physical characteristics of individuals, and finger-printing.
Fact 6: A Famous Rocket Launch
March 24, saw one of the key moments in space exploration history when in 1961, the U.S. spacecraft Ranger 3 was launched. This space probe was designed to transmit pictures of the lunar surface to Earth stations during a period of 10 minutes of flight prior to impacting on the Moon.
Fact 7: A Coup in Nigeria
On March 24, 1966, a coup in Nigeria led to the end of the First Nigerian Republic. This set a precedent for a series of future military takeovers in the country.
Fact 8: Seattle World’s Fair Opens
The Seattle World’s Fair, also called the Century 21 Exposition, opened on March 24, 1962. It brought some 10 million visitors to enjoy the hugely successful event that ran for six months.
Fact 9: The First Lady Liberty
On March 24, 1882, Robert H. Ingersoll and Brother, a watch company in New York, produced the first Lady Liberty watch. It was the first time Lady Liberty ever appeared on timepieces and it quickly gained popularity across the country.
Fact 10: A Rare Astronomical Event
On March 24, 1893, the Dutch astronomer, E.E. Barnard, discovered the 5th moon of Jupiter, identified as Amalthea. This discovery fascinated astronomers and researchers around the world.
Fact 11: The First Tech Oscar Winner
John Logie Baird, the inventor of the mechanical television, died on March 24, 1949. After his death, Baird was awarded the first posthumous 'Emmy' for his pioneering work in television broadcasting.
Fact 12: American Red Cross Effort
On this day in 1915, the American Red Cross reported assisting an unprecedented 880,000+ Europeans who had been impacted by World War I, this marked the largest humanitarian effort in its history.
Fact 13: The Day Of Remembrance
In Argentina, March 24 is a public holiday known as Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice. The day remembers the victims of the Dirty War, a period of state terrorism during the military dictatorship.
Fact 14: Arrival of Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
On March 24, 1989, there was a massive oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, when Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker owned by Exxon Shipping Company, struck a reef and spilled 10.8 million US gallons of crude oil.
Fact 15: Tokyo Disneyland Opened
On March 24, 1983, Tokyo Disneyland park opened to the public. It was the first Disney park to be built outside of the United States and it has since become one of the most popular and profitable theme parks in the world.
Fact 16: The Great London Smog
On this day in 1958, The Great London Smog, known as "The Big Smoke", led to the deaths of thousands, prompting the UK Parliament to pass the landmark Clean Air Act, improving air quality significantly.
Fact 17: Launch of "Don’t Stop Believin'"
On March 24, 1981, the band Journey released their iconic rock anthem "Don't Stop Believin'". The song has since become one of the best-selling rock songs in digital history.
Fact 18: A Significant Earthquake In Alaska
On this day in 1964, Alaska was hit by the most powerful recorded earthquake in U.S. history. The 9.2 magnitude quake created a tsunami and left extensive damage in its wake.
Fact 19: The Formation of “Green Day”
The famous American punk rock band, “Green Day,” was formed on March 24, 1987. They have since sold over 85 million records worldwide and won multiple Grammy awards.
Fact 20: The Fateful Sinking of SS Utopia
On March 24, 1891, the SS Utopia, an Italian passenger steamship, sunk in the port of Gibraltar after colliding with the battleship HMS Anson. This maritime disaster led to the deaths of over 500 passengers.