On This Day in History – November 24

November 24 is a date rich with scientific discovery, artistic innovation, and cultural milestones. From Darwin’s groundbreaking publication to historic political changes, the events of this day reflect humanity’s constant evolution in knowledge and creativity.

Major Events

1. 1434 – The Thames River in London freezes over for the first recorded time, beginning a series of “frost fairs” that would continue for centuries.
2. 1642 – Dutch explorer Abel Tasman discovers Van Diemen’s Land (modern-day Tasmania), expanding European knowledge of the southern hemisphere.
3. 1859 – Charles Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species, revolutionizing biology and forever changing how we understand life on Earth.
4. 1877 – Anna Sewell’s novel Black Beauty is published in England, becoming one of the best-selling books of all time and inspiring animal welfare movements.
5. 1903 – Clyde J. Coleman patents the automobile self-starter, a key innovation that would soon replace manual cranking in cars.
6. 1944 – The first bombing of Tokyo by U.S. B-29 Superfortress aircraft occurs during World War II, signaling the war’s escalation in the Pacific.
7. 1963 – Jack Ruby shoots and kills Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, on live television.
8. 1971 – During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army concludes its investigation into the My Lai Massacre, finding widespread atrocities committed by U.S. troops.
9. 1974 – Fossil remains of Australopithecus afarensis, nicknamed “Lucy,” are discovered in Ethiopia, providing vital evidence of early human evolution.
10. 1991 – Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury dies from complications of AIDS, just one day after publicly announcing his illness.
11. 2012 – A fire in a clothing factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, kills over 100 workers, sparking global outrage over unsafe labor conditions.
12. 2021 – NASA launches the DART mission, the first planetary defense test designed to alter the trajectory of an asteroid.

Famous Birthdays

1. Baruch Spinoza (1632–1677) — Dutch philosopher whose rationalist ideas laid the foundation for modern secular ethics.
2. Zachary Taylor (1784–1850) — 12th President of the United States, known for his military leadership during the Mexican-American War.
3. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901) — French painter and illustrator, famed for his depictions of Parisian nightlife.
4. Scott Joplin (1868–1917) — American composer and pianist known as the “King of Ragtime.”
5. Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) — American writer and lecturer, author of How to Win Friends and Influence People.
6. Lucky Luciano (1897–1962) — Italian-American mobster who helped establish the modern U.S. Mafia structure.
7. Geraldine Fitzgerald (1913–2005) — Irish-American actress and Oscar nominee.
8. Oscar Robertson (1938– ) — American basketball player, one of the greatest in NBA history.
9. Katherine Heigl (1978– ) — American actress known for Grey’s Anatomy and Knocked Up.
10. Sarah Hyland (1990– ) — American actress recognized for Modern Family.

Notable Deaths

1. Charles Darwin (1809–1882) — English naturalist and biologist, whose theory of evolution by natural selection remains one of science’s greatest achievements.
2. Diego Rivera (1886–1957) — Mexican muralist whose politically charged works shaped Latin American art.
3. Freddie Mercury (1946–1991) — British rock icon, lead vocalist of Queen, and one of the greatest performers in music history.
4. Lee Harvey Oswald (1939–1963) — Assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, killed by Jack Ruby.
5. Roald Amundsen (1872–1928) — Norwegian explorer, first to reach the South Pole, disappeared during a rescue mission in 1928.
6. John Rawls (1921–2002) — American political philosopher, author of A Theory of Justice.
7. George Moscone (1929–1978) — Mayor of San Francisco, assassinated alongside Harvey Milk.
8. Harvey Milk (1930–1978) — American politician and gay rights activist, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S.
9. Larry Hagman (1931–2012) — American actor known for Dallas and I Dream of Jeannie.

Holidays

• Evolution Day — Celebrates the publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and the advancement of scientific thought.
• Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Sikhism) — Honors the ninth Sikh Guru, executed in 1675 for defending religious freedom.
• Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day — Encourages people to embrace and share their individuality.
• Thanksgiving (U.S., variable) — Often observed near this date, emphasizing gratitude and family gatherings.
• National Sardines Day (U.S.) — A quirky observance honoring the small but mighty fish.

Fun Facts

• Darwin delayed publishing On the Origin of Species for over 20 years, fearing backlash from religious authorities.
• The discovery of “Lucy” in 1974 was named after the Beatles’ song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, which was playing at the dig site.
• Jack Ruby’s shooting of Oswald was the first live televised murder in history.
• The DART mission successfully impacted an asteroid in 2022, proving that Earth could potentially deflect future space threats.
• Toulouse-Lautrec’s posters for the Moulin Rouge remain some of the most recognizable artworks of the late 19th century.