Discover · History

On this day — September 24

A hand-curated thread of what happened on this date, across centuries.

2023

Milestone

NASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule containing samples from the asteroid 101955 Bennu successfully lands back on Earth.

2015

Milestone

At least 1,100 people are killed and another 934 wounded after a stampede during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

2014

Milestone

The Mars Orbiter Mission makes India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit

and the first nation in the world to do so in its first attempt.

2013

Disaster

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes southern Pakistan

killing at least 327 people.

2009

Milestone

The G20 summit begins in Pittsburgh with 30 global leaders in attendance.

2009

Milestone

South African Airlink Flight 8911 crashes near Durban International Airport in Durban

South Africa, killing the captain and injuring the rest of the crew.

2008

Politics

Thabo Mbeki resigns as president of South Africa.

2007

Milestone

Between 30,000 and 100,000 people take part in anti-government protests in Yangon

Burma, the largest in 20 years.

2005

Disaster

Hurricane Rita makes landfall in the United States

devastating portions of southwestern Louisiana and extreme southeastern Texas.

1996

Politics

Representatives of 71 nations sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty at the United Nations.

1993

Milestone

The Cambodian monarchy is restored

with Norodom Sihanouk as king.

1975

Milestone

Southwest Face expedition members become the first persons to reach the summit of Mount Everest by any of its faces, instead of using a ridge route.

1973

Politics

Guinea-Bissau declares its independence from Portugal.

1972

Milestone

Japan Airlines Flight 472 lands at Juhu Aerodrome instead of Santacruz Airport in Bombay

India, overrunning the runway resulting in 11 injuries.

1960

Milestone

USS Enterprise

the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is launched.