24 AUGUST WORLD EVENTS

Exploring the Impactful World-Historical Happenings on August 24th: Past and Present

1. The International Day Against Intolerance, Discrimination and Violence Based on Musical Preferences, Lifestyle and Dress Code:

On 24 August 2007, Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Rob were attacked and beaten in Rossendale, Lancashire, England. She had been beaten simply because of the way she looked and had been part of the "goth" subculture. She sustained severe injuries and died. Her mother Sylvia did not want her death to be in vain and wanted to help young people understand that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, no matter what they look like or what type of music they listen to. She created the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. The foundation has worked with young people in schools and has also enlightened adults with training about hate crime awareness, victim impact, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

2. International Strange Music Day:

International Strange Music Day is an annual observance held on August 24th. It was established by Patrick Grant, a musician and composer based in New York City, back in 1997. The main purpose of this celebration is to encourage people to engage with and explore music genres that might be unfamiliar to them and it covers a wide range of styles, from experimental to avant-garde to noise.

3. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact:

Also known as the Nazi-Soviet Pact or the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, was a significant agreement signed between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union on midnight 23-24 August 1939. This pact included secret protocols that outlined the spheres of influence in Eastern Europe, paving the way for the division of several countries. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact played a crucial role in shaping the events leading up to World War II by providing Hitler with a strategic advantage and allowing the Soviets time to prepare for the inevitable conflict. This controversial agreement is a prime example of political pragmatism prevailing over ideological differences, ultimately impacting history.

4. The Gutenberg Bible:

The Gutenberg Bible is the first book ever printed using movable type. It was completed on August 24, 1456, by Johannes Gutenberg, a German printer who invented the movable type printing press in the mid-1400s. The Bible is a Latin translation of the Bible, known for its high quality and beautiful typography. It is also one of the most important books in history, as it helped usher in the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment.

5. East India Company's First Ship 'Hector' reached the coast of Surat:

The East India Company's first ship, the Hector, arrived in Surat, India on August 24, 1600. The ship was carrying a cargo of goods and was captained by William Hawkins, who was tasked with establishing relations with the Mughal Empire. The Hector's arrival marked the beginning of a new era of trade and commerce between India and Europe, and it helped to introduce India to the West.

6. Job Charnock Established Calcutta as a Major Commercial Center:

Job Charnock, an agent of the British East India Company, founded Calcutta on August 24, 1690. He established a trading post on the banks of the Hooghly River in Bengal, which was then controlled by the Mughal Empire. Charnock faced opposition from local rulers, but he eventually succeeded in establishing Calcutta as a major commercial centre. The city grew rapidly under Charnock's leadership and became a major centre for the opium trade. Charnock died in Calcutta in 1693, but his legacy lives on as the founder of one of India's most important cities.

7. Battle of Mogadishu (2010): Al-Shabaab Attack on Hotel Muna

The Battle of Mogadishu (2010) was a terrorist attack that took place in Mogadishu, Somalia on August 23–26, 2010. Al-Shabaab militants (a terrorist group that is linked to al-Qaeda) stormed the Hotel Muna, a hotel located close to the Presidential Palace Villa Somalia. The militants killed at least 33 people, including several MPs, and injured more than 50 others. The battle ended after Somali government forces and African Union peacekeepers regained control of the hotel.

8. Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995:

Windows 95 was a major turning point in personal computers as it was the first Windows with a GUI and was pre-installed on new computers. It was a huge success and was praised for its ease of use and features like the Start menu and taskbar.

9. NASA VLT Image of Grand Spiral Galaxy NGC 1232:

On August 24, 2008, NASA's Very Large Telescope (VLT) captured a stunning image of the grand spiral galaxy NGC 1232. The image shows millions of bright stars and dark dust caught up in a gravitational swirl of spiral arms revolving about the galaxy's centre.

10. PLUTO DEMOTED DAY:

Pluto was discovered in 1930 by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh and on 24 August 2006, the planet was demoted to Dwarf Planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in Prague, Czech Republic. The process of demoting Pluto began in 2005 when a dwarf planet named Eris was discovered in a region outside of Neptune’s orbit in the same belt as Pluto. Because this dwarf planet, Eris, was actually larger than Pluto, it created complications with the classification.

11. France's First Hydrogen Bomb Test: The Canopus Test of 1968:

On August 24, 1968, France successfully exploded its first hydrogen bomb at the Fangataufa Atoll in French Polynesia. The test, codenamed "Canopus", had a yield of 2.6 megatons. This made France the fifth country in the world to develop a hydrogen bomb, after the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and China.

12. Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Austria (1921):

The Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Austria was signed in Vienna on August 24, 1921, and went into force on November 8, 1921. It was significant because it helped to establish Austria as a sovereign state after the First World War. It also helped to promote peace and stability in Central Europe.

13. Harry S. Truman Signs North Atlantic Treaty in Washington 1949:

On August 24, 1949, in Washington, D.C., the United States President, Harry S. Truman, signed the Convention implementing the North Atlantic Treaty. The treaty was initially signed by the representatives of 12 countries which has now soared up to 31 members. It also established the North Atlantic Council, which is the political and military decision-making body of NATO.

14. The Burning of the United States Capitol in the War 1814:

The burning of the United States Capitol was a major event in the War of 1812. On August 24, 1814, British troops led by Major General Robert Ross marched on Washington, D.C., after defeating an American force at the Battle of Bladensburg. The Capitol was one of several buildings set on fire by the British, including the White House and the Library of Congress.

15. Ukraine declaration of independence:

Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991, following a referendum in which 92% of voters voted in favour. The declaration was made by the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament. Ukraine became a sovereign state on December 1, 1991, when the Soviet Union dissolved.

16. Shivaram Hari Rajguru, Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary:

Shivaram Hari Rajguru was born on August 24, 1908, in Khed, Maharashtra, India. He was an extremist Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement against British rule. Rajguru joined the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) at a young age and became a close associate of Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev. He was involved in several revolutionary activities, including the assassination of John Saunders, a deputy superintendent of police in Lahore. He was arrested and convicted for this crime and hanged on March 23, 1931, along with Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev.

17. Today's 24 August 2023 top world news headlines:

1. India’s Lunar Mission Chandrayaan-3 successfully attempted a soft landing on the Moon’s surface to the delight of 1.4 billion Indians.

2. Chandrayaan-3 Landing: See First Glimpse Of Rover Pragyan Coming Out On Ramp

3. India Always Believed Adding New Members Will Strengthen BRICS: PM Modi

4. UAE, Saudi Arabia Among 6 Countries Invited To Become New BRICS Members

5. Wrestling Federation Of India Membership Suspended

6. ISSF Shooting World Championships: Amanpreet Singh Clinches Gold Medal