On This Day in History – October 24

Major Events

• 1260 – The Cathedral of Chartres was dedicated in France.
• 1648 – The Peace of Westphalia was signed, ending the Thirty Years’ War.
• 1857 – Sheffield FC, the world’s first football club, was founded.
• 1929 – “Black Thursday” marked the start of the Wall Street Crash.
• 1945 – The United Nations was officially founded.
• 1964 – Zambia declared independence from the United Kingdom.
• 2003 – The Concorde supersonic jet made its final commercial flight.

Famous Birthdays

• Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723) – Dutch scientist, “father of microbiology.”
• Wilhelm Eduard Weber (1804–1891) – German physicist.
• Sarah Josepha Hale (1788–1879) – American writer and editor.
• Moss Hart (1904–1961) – American playwright.
• Kevin Kline (born 1947) – American actor.
• BD Wong (born 1960) – American actor.
• Drake (born 1986) – Canadian rapper and singer.

Notable Deaths

• Wilhelm Eduard Weber (1804–1891) – German physicist.
• Christian Dior (1905–1957) – French fashion designer.
• Louis Renault (1877–1944) – French industrialist, founder of Renault cars.

Holidays

• United Nations Day (International)
• Independence Day (Zambia)
• World Development Information Day (UN)

Fun Facts

• The United Nations was founded on October 24, 1945.
• Sheffield FC, the first football club, is still active today.
• The Concorde retired after nearly 30 years of service.