✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 236th day of the year

August 24

A look at August 24 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Jorge Luis Borges and Orlando Engelaar, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2006

    International Astronomical Union

    The International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefines the term "planet" such that Pluto is now considered a dwarf planet.

    Association of professional astronomers
  2. 1992

    Hurricane Andrew

    Hurricane Andrew makes landfall in Homestead, Florida as a Category 5 hurricane, causing up to $25 billion (1992 USD) in damages.

    Category 5 Atlantic hurricane
  3. 1991

    Ukraine

    Ukraine declares itself independent from the Soviet Union.

    Country in Eastern Europe
  4. 1963

    Buddhist crisis

    Buddhist crisis: As a result of the Xá Lợi Pagoda raids, the US State Department cables the United States Embassy, Saigon to encourage Army of the Republic of Vietnam generals to launch a coup against President Ngô Đình Diệm if he did not remove his brother Ngô Đình Nhu.

    1963 political and religious
  5. 1942

    World War II

    World War II: The Battle of the Eastern Solomons. Japanese aircraft carrier Ryūjō is sunk, with the loss of seven officers and 113 crewmen. The US carrier USS Enterprise is heavily damaged.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  6. 1914

    Battle of Cer

    World War I: The Battle of Cer ends as the first Allied victory in the war.

    Battle fought between Austria-Hungary
  7. 1914

    World War I

    World War I: German troops capture Namur.

    1914–1918 global conflict
  8. 1781

    American Revolutionary War

    American Revolutionary War: A small force of Pennsylvania militia is ambushed and overwhelmed by an American Indian group, which forces George Rogers Clark to abandon his attempt to attack Detroit.

    1775–1783 conflict in North
  9. 1662

    Book of Common Prayer (1662)

    The 1662 Book of Common Prayer is legally enforced as the liturgy of the Church of England, precipitating the Great Ejection of Dissenter ministers from their benefices.

    Anglican liturgical book
  10. 1643

    Dutch expedition to Valdivia

    A Dutch fleet establishes a new colony in the ruins of Valdivia in southern Chile.

    1643 failed expedition to
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Famous birthday twins

Born on August 24

Jorge Luis Borges

b. 1899

Argentine short-story writer, essayist, poet and translator

Orlando Engelaar

b. 1979

Dutch footballer

Paulo Coelho

b. 1947

Brazilian author and songwriter

Rupert Grint

b. 1988

English actor

Todd Young

b. 1972

American politician

Sauli Niinistö

b. 1948

Finnish captain and politician, 12th President of Finland

Karen Uhlenbeck

b. 1942

American mathematician

Dave Chappelle

b. 1973

American comedian, actor, producer and screenwriter

Deaths

  • 2016Walter Scheel, German politician, 4th President of Germany
  • 2014Richard Attenborough, English actor, director, producer, and politician
  • 1954Getúlio Vargas, Brazilian lawyer and politician, 14th President of Brazil
  • 1888Rudolf Clausius, German physicist and mathematician
  • 1540Parmigianino, Italian painter and etcher
  • 1042Michael V Kalaphates, Byzantine emperor

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Abbán of Ireland
  • —Christian feast day: Aurea of Ostia
  • —Christian feast day: Bartholomew the Apostle (Roman Catholic, Anglican)
  • —Christian feast day: Jeanne-Antide Thouret
  • —Christian feast day: Maria Micaela Desmaisieres
  • —Christian feast day: Massa Candida (Martyrs of Utica)
  • —Christian feast day: Owen (Audoin)
  • —Christian feast day: August 24 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

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