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
May 24 Sunday, May 24, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 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
Technology 431 years ago
Nomenclator of Leiden University Library appears, the first printed catalog of an institutional library.
The Nomenclator of Leiden University Library is published, becoming the first printed catalog of an institutional library.
History
What happened on May 24
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 919European history
The nobles of Franconia and Saxony elect Henry the Fowler at the Imperial Diet in Fritzlar as king of the East Frankish Kingdom.
Henry the Fowler is elected king of the East Frankish Kingdom by nobles from Franconia and Saxony.
- 1218War
The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt.
A crusader army departs from Acre bound for Egypt to confront Muslim forces and regain Jerusalem.
- 1276UK history
Magnus Ladulås is crowned King of Sweden in Uppsala Cathedral.
Magnus Ladulås is crowned King of Sweden in Uppsala Cathedral.
- 1487UK history
The ten-year-old Lambert Simnel is crowned in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland, with the name of Edward VI in a bid to threaten King Henry VII's reign.
Lambert Simnel is crowned in Christ Church Cathedral as Edward VI, challenging King Henry VII’s rule.
- 1567Royalty
Erik XIV of Sweden and his guards murder five incarcerated Swedish nobles.
Erik XIV of Sweden and his guards kill five imprisoned nobles.
- 1595Technology
Nomenclator of Leiden University Library appears, the first printed catalog of an institutional library.
The Nomenclator of Leiden University Library is published, becoming the first printed catalog of an institutional library.
- 1607US history
Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in North America, is founded.
English settlers establish Jamestown in Virginia, the first permanent English colony in North America.
- 1667War
The French Royal Army crosses the border into the Spanish Netherlands, starting the War of Devolution opposing France to the Spanish Empire and the Triple Alliance.
The French Royal Army invades the Spanish Netherlands, sparking the War of Devolution against Spain and the Triple Alliance.
- 1738Religion
John Wesley is converted, essentially launching the Methodist movement; the day is celebrated annually by Methodists as Aldersgate Day and a church service is generally held on the preceding Sunday.
John Wesley's conversion marks the beginning of the Methodist movement, celebrated annually as Aldersgate Day with services typically held on the preceding Sunday.
- 1798UK history
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 led by the United Irishmen against British rule begins.
The Irish Rebellion begins as the United Irishmen rise against British rule in a bid for independence.
- 1883US history
The Brooklyn Bridge in New York City is opened to traffic after 14 years of construction.
The Brooklyn Bridge opens to traffic following 14 years of construction.
- 1940Technology
Igor Sikorsky performs the first successful single-rotor helicopter flight.
Igor Sikorsky successfully flies the VS-300, the first single-rotor helicopter.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 24
7 this date All birthdays
Rodrigo
Argentinian singer-songwriter
Rodrigo Alejandro Bueno, known as "El Potro," the Argentine cuarteto singer widely regarded as the most influential in the genre's history, was born today in 1973.
Born
1973
Died
2000
Germanicus
Roman general
b. -15
Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit
Polish-German physicist and engineer, developed the Fahrenheit scale
1686 – 1736
Suzanne Lenglen
French tennis player
1899 – 1938
Lionel Conacher
Canadian football player and politician
1902 – 1954
Patti LaBelle
American singer-songwriter and actress
b. 1944 · 82
Barry O'Farrell
Australian politician, 43rd Premier of New South Wales
b. 1959 · 67
Music
The number one songs on May 24
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Espresso"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Body"— Tion Wayne and Russ Millions
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport May 24, 1935
The first night game in Major League Baseball history is played in Cincinnati, Ohio, with the Cincinnati Reds beating the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 at Crosley Field.
The Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2, 1 in baseball's first night game at Crosley Field.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 24, 1844
Samuel Morse sends the first telegraph message between Washington and Baltimore
Morse transmitted "What hath God wrought" from the Supreme Court chamber in the Capitol to his assistant Alfred Vail in Baltimore. The successful demonstration of the electromagnetic telegraph launched the era of near-instantaneous long-distance communication.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Aldersgate Day/Wesley Day (Methodism)
International
Aldersgate Day, or Wesley Day, is an anniversary observed by Methodist Christians on 24 May
Battle of Pichincha Day (Ecuador)
International
The national public holidays in Ecuador include:
Bermuda Day (Bermuda), celebrated on the nearest weekday if May 24 falls on the weekend.
International
Bermuda Day is a public holiday in the islands of Bermuda
Commonwealth Day (Belize)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Belize
Independence Day (Eritrea), celebrates the independence of Eritrea from Ethiopia in 1993.
International
The Independence Day of Eritrea is one of the most important public holidays in the country
Lubiri Memorial Day (Buganda)
International
Lubiri, commonly referred to as the Kabaka's Palace, Mengo Palace, or Twekobe, is the official royal compound of the Kabaka (king) of the Buganda Kingdom in Uganda
❝
I felt my heart strangely warmed.
— John Wesley · born May 24, 1703