April 24

Sunday 24, 2005:

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is inaugurated as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church taking the name Pope Benedict XVI.

Saturday 24, 2004:

US lifts economic sanctions imposed on Libya 18 years previously as a reward for its cooperation in eliminating weapons of mass destruction.

Wednesday 24, 1996:

In the United States, the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 is introduced.

Monday 24, 1995:

The last Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 rolls off the assembly line.

Sunday 24, 1994:

The world's largest lollipop weighing 3,011 pounds (1,366 kg) is made in Denmark

Saturday 24, 1993:

An IRA bomb devastates the Bishopsgate area of City of London.

Wednesday 24, 1991:

Freddie Stowers is awarded the posthumous Medal of Honor for which he had been recommended in 1918.

Tuesday 24, 1990:

Gruinard Island, Scotland, is officially declared free of anthrax after 48 years of quarantine.

Tuesday 24, 1984:

Apple Computer unveils its Apple IIc portable computer.

Saturday 24, 1982:

In Harrogate, United Kingdom, Nicole wins the twenty-seventh Eurovision Song Contest for Germany singing "Ein bißchen Frieden" (A little bit of peace).

Friday 24, 1981:

The first IBM PC is introduced.

Thursday 24, 1980:

Eight U.S. servicemen died in Operation Eagle Claw as they attempted to end the Iran hostage crisis.

Thursday 24, 1975:

The Baader-Meinhof Gang blow up the West German embassy in Stockholm.

Friday 24, 1970:

The Gambia becomes a republic within the British Commonwealth, with Dawda Jawara as the first President.

Wednesday 24, 1968:

Mauritius becomes a member state of the United Nations.

Monday 24, 1967:

Vietnam War: American General William Westmoreland says in a news conference that the enemy had "gained support in the United States that gives him hope that he can win politically that which he cannot win militarily."

Friday 24, 1964:

Mexico becomes a signatory to the Buenos Aires copyright treaty.

Wednesday 24, 1963:

1963- Marriage of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent to Angus James Bruce Ogilvy at Westminster Abbey in London.

Monday 24, 1961:

The 17th century Swedish ship Vasa is salvaged.

Sunday 24, 1955:

Bandung Conference ends: Twenty-nine non-aligned nations of Asia and Africa finish a meeting that condemned colonialism, racism, and the Cold War.

Friday 24, 1953:

Winston Churchill is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

Wednesday 24, 1940:

World War II: Operation Demon – The United Kingdom begins evacuating Greece.

Monday 24, 1916:

Easter Uprising begins: The Irish Republican Brotherhood led by nationalist Patrick Pearse start a rebellion in Ireland.

Saturday 24, 1915:

Armenian Genocide: The Ottoman Government began their genocidal campaign to annihilate the Armenian people of Anatolia.

Thursday 24, 1913:

The skyscraper Woolworth Building in New York City was opened.

Sunday 24, 1898:

Spanish-American War: Spain declares war on the United States.

Friday 24, 1863:

The Keyesville Massacre: a massacre of 53 Native American men from the Tehachapi tribe in Keyesville, California.

Thursday 24, 1862:

American Civil War: A flotilla commanded by Union Admiral David Farragut passes two Confederate forts on the Mississippi River on its way to capture New Orleans, Louisiana.

Thursday 24, 1800:

The United States Library of Congress is established when President John Adams signs legislation to appropriate $5,000 to purchase "such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress".

Thursday 24, 1704:

The first regular newspaper in the United States, the Boston, Massachusetts New-Letter, is published.

Sunday 24, -1184:

Greeks enter Troy using the Trojan Horse (traditional).

More on April, 24

• People Born on April, 24
• They left us on April, 24