Summary of the Day ✨ 24 August (24/08)
Japan began discharging treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean while a devastating earthquake struck Central Italy, killing approximately 300 people and causing aftershocks as far as Rome. In other developments, Erin O’Toole became leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, Taiwan successfully launched the Formosat-5 satellite, and astronomers discovered Proxima Centauri b, the closest known exoplanet to Earth.
Historical Events 📜
- 2023: Japan officially begins discharging treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean, sparking international concerns and condemnation.
- 2020: Erin O’Toole is elected leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.
- 2017: The National Space Agency of Taiwan successfully launches the observation satellite Formosat-5 into space.
- 2016: An earthquake strikes Central Italy with a magnitude of 6.2, with aftershocks felt as far as Rome and Florence. Around 300 people are killed.
- 2016: Proxima Centauri b, the closest exoplanet to Earth, is discovered by the European Southern Observatory.
- 2014: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes the San Francisco Bay Area; it is the largest in that area since 1989.
- 2012: Anders Behring Breivik, perpetrator of the 2011 Norway attacks, is sentenced to 21 years of preventive detention.
- 2010: In San Fernando, Tamaulipas, Mexico, 72 illegal immigrants are killed by Los Zetas and eventually found dead by Mexican authorities.
- 2010: Henan Airlines Flight 8387 crashes at Yichun Lindu Airport in Yichun, Heilongjiang, China, killing 44 out of the 96 people on board.
- 2010: Agni Air Flight 101 crashes near Shikharpur, Makwanpur, Nepal, killing all 14 people on board.
- 2008: Sixty-five passengers are killed when Iran Aseman Airlines Flight 6895 crashes during an emergency landing at Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
- 2008: A Cessna 208 Caravan crashes in Cabañas, Zacapa, Guatemala, killing 11 people.
- 2006: The International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefines the term “planet” such that Pluto is now considered a dwarf planet.
- 2004: Ninety passengers die after two airliners explode after flying out of Domodedovo International Airport, near Moscow. The explosions are caused by suicide bombers from Chechnya.
- 2001: Air Transat Flight 236 loses all engine power over the Atlantic Ocean, forcing the pilots to conduct an emergency landing in the Azores.
Famous Births 👶
- 2001: Mildred Maldonado, Mexican rhythmic gymnast
- 2000: Griffin Gluck, American actor
- 1998: Sofia Richie, American model and social media personality
- 1997: Alan Walker, British-Norwegian DJ and record producer
- 1997: Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
- 1995: Noah Vonleh, American basketball player
- 1995: Lady Amelia Windsor, member of the British royal family
- 1994: Kelsey Plum, American basketball player
- 1993: Maryna Zanevska, Belgian tennis player
- 1992: Jemerson, Brazilian footballer
- 1991: Enrique Hernández, Puerto Rican baseball player
- 1991: Wang Zhen, Chinese race walker
- 1990: Juan Pedro Lanzani, Argentinian actor and singer
- 1989: Reynaldo, Brazilian footballer
- 1989: Rocío Igarzábal, Argentinian actress and singer
Notable Deaths 🕊️
- 2024: Christoph Daum, German footballer and manager (born 1953)
- 2023: Bray Wyatt, American wrestler (born 1987)
- 2021: Charlie Watts, English musician (born 1941)
- 2020: Gail Sheehy, American author, journalist, and lecturer (born 1936)
- 2017: Jay Thomas, American actor, comedian, and radio talk show host (born 1948)
- 2016: Walter Scheel, German politician, 4th President of Germany (born 1919)
- 2015: Charlie Coffey, American football player and coach (born 1934)
- 2015: Joseph F. Traub, German-American computer scientist and academic (born 1932)
- 2015: Justin Wilson, English racing driver (born 1978)
- 2014: Richard Attenborough, English actor, director, producer, and politician (born 1923)
- 2014: Antônio Ermírio de Moraes, Brazilian businessman (born 1928)
- 2013: Gerry Baker, American soccer player and manager (born 1938)
- 2013: Nílton de Sordi, Brazilian footballer and manager (born 1931)
- 2013: Julie Harris, American actress (born 1925)
- 2013: Muriel Siebert, American businesswoman and philanthropist (born 1928)
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) - Flag Day (Liberia)
- Independence Day or Den’ Nezalezhnosti, celebrates the independence of Ukraine from the Soviet Union in 1991.
- International Strange Music Day
- National Waffle Day (United States)
- Nostalgia Night (Uruguay)
- Willka Raymi (Cusco, Peru)