Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
April 24 Friday, April 24, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 24 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
7
Holidays
War 149 years ago
Russo-Turkish War: The Russian Empire declares war on the Ottoman Empire.
Russia declares war on the Ottoman Empire, beginning the Russo-Turkish War that would reshape the Balkans and weaken Ottoman control in southeastern Europe.
History
What happened on April 24
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -1479World history
Thutmose III ascends to the throne of Egypt, although power effectively shifts to Hatshepsut (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th dynasty).
Thutmose III ascends to the Egyptian throne, but Hatshepsut assumes actual power.
- -1183World history
Traditional reckoning of the Fall of Troy marking the end of the legendary Trojan War, given by chief librarian of the Library of Alexandria Eratosthenes, among others.
The traditional fall of Troy marks the end of the legendary Trojan War, according to ancient reckoning by scholars like Eratosthenes.
- 858Religion
Consecration of Pope Nicholas I following the death of Pope Benedict III earlier that month.
Pope Nicholas I is consecrated as pope following the recent death of Pope Benedict III.
- 934World history
Abbasid Caliph Al-Qahir is deposed and blinded. His nephew al-Radi suceeds him as caliph.
Al-Qahir, the Abbasid Caliph, is deposed and blinded, with his nephew al-Radi succeeding him as caliph.
- 1547War
Battle of Mühlberg. Duke of Alba, commanding Spanish-Imperial forces of Charles I of Spain, defeats the troops of Schmalkaldic League.
Duke of Alba commands Charles V's Spanish-Imperial forces to decisive victory over the Protestant Schmalkaldic League at the Battle of Mühlberg.
- 1558Royalty
Mary, Queen of Scots, marries the Dauphin of France, François, at Notre-Dame de Paris.
Mary, Queen of Scots, weds the Dauphin of France, François, at Paris's Notre-Dame cathedral.
- 1704US history
The first regular newspaper in British Colonial America, The Boston News-Letter, is published.
The Boston News-Letter begins publication, marking the start of regular newspapers in British Colonial America.
- 1793Politics
French revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat is acquitted by the Revolutionary Tribunal of charges brought by the Girondin in Paris.
Jean-Paul Marat is acquitted by the Revolutionary Tribunal of charges brought by the Girondins in Paris.
- 1877War
Russo-Turkish War: The Russian Empire declares war on the Ottoman Empire.
Russia declares war on the Ottoman Empire, beginning the Russo-Turkish War that would reshape the Balkans and weaken Ottoman control in southeastern Europe.
- 1885US history
American sharpshooter Annie Oakley is hired by Nate Salsbury to be a part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West.
Annie Oakley joins Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, showcasing her remarkable shooting skills.
- 1980US history
Eight U.S. servicemen die in Operation Eagle Claw as they attempt to end the Iran hostage crisis.
An operation to rescue hostages from Iran ends in failure when eight U.S. servicemen die in a helicopter crash.
- 2011Politics
WikiLeaks starts publishing the Guantanamo Bay files leak.
WikiLeaks begins publishing classified documents related to the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 24
7 this date All birthdays
Dr. Rajkumar
Indian actor and singer
Dr. Rajkumar, the Indian actor and singer regarded as one of the most influential and versatile performers in Indian cinema history, was born today in 1929.
Born
1929
Died
2006
Luisa Cappiani
Austrian soprano, educator and essayist
1829 – 1919
Manuel Ávila Camacho
Mexican colonel and politician, 45th President of Mexico
1897 – 1955
David Blackwell
American mathematician and academic
1919 – 2010
Cedric the Entertainer
American comedian, actor, and producer
b. 1964 · 62
Carlos Beltrán
Puerto Rican-American baseball player
b. 1977 · 49
Kris Letang
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1987 · 39
Music
The number one songs on April 24
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on April 24, 2016
"One Dance"
by Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla
#1 for 15 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Too Sweet"— Hozier
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"— Lil Nas X
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport April 24, 1967
Wilt Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers defeat San Francisco Warriors to win NBA Finals
The 76ers defeated the Warriors 125-122 in Game 6 at the Cow Palace to clinch the championship four games to two. The victory ended the Boston Celtics' eight-year championship streak and gave Philadelphia its first title since relocating from Syracuse.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 24, 1990
STS-31: The Hubble Space Telescope is launched from the Space Shuttle Discovery.
The Hubble Space Telescope is deployed into orbit by the Space Shuttle Discovery.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day (Armenia, California, France)
International
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, also known as Armenian Genocide Memorial Day, is a public holiday in Armenia and the former Republic of Artsakh and is observed by the Armenian diaspora on 24 April
Concord Day (Niger)
International
National Day of Concorde is a national holiday in Niger, celebrated every 24 April since 1995
Democracy Day (Nepal)
International
The 2006 Nepal revolution, also known as the Democracy Movement, was a political movement in Nepal opposed to the authoritarian, absolutist form of monarchy adopted by King Gyanendra of Nepal
Fashion Revolution Day, and its related observances: Labour Safety Day (Bangladesh, proposed)
International
Labour Day is an official public holiday in many countries
National Panchayati Raj Day (India)
International
National Panchayati Raj Day is the national day of Panchayati Raj System in India celebrated by Ministry of Panchayati Raj on 24 April annually
Republic Day (The Gambia)
International
This is a list of public holidays in The Gambia
❝
Aim at a high mark and you will hit it.
— Annie Oakley · born April 24, 1860