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July 24

July 24 is the 205th day of the year (206th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 160 days remaining until the end of the year. The date is observed as an official state holiday in Utah as Pioneer Day, commemorating the arrival of Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, which initiated the settlement and eventual founding of Salt Lake City. It is also marked as Simón Bolívar Day, a national holiday in Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia, honoring the birth of the independence leader Simón Bolívar in 1783. Historically, the day features several pivotal events, including Brigham Young's vanguard company entering the after a grueling overland trek, declaring "This is the place" upon viewing the uninhabited basin, which facilitated the establishment of a theocratic settlement in . In 1911, American explorer reached the Inca citadel of in Peru, bringing international attention to the long-abandoned site known locally but previously uncharted by modern scholars. On July 24, 1969, the command module splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, concluding NASA's first manned Moon landing mission with astronauts , , and safely recovered. The U.S. issued its unanimous decision in in 1974, rejecting President Richard Nixon's claim of and ordering the release of Watergate tapes, which accelerated his .

Events

Pre-1600

In 1132, Ranulf II, Count of Alife, defeated at the Battle of Nocera (also known as the Battle of ), marking one of Roger's rare military setbacks amid his campaigns to consolidate power in . The engagement, fought near , involved Ranulf's forces ambushing Roger's army, forcing the Sicilian king to flee with heavy losses, though Ranulf's victory proved short-lived as Roger recovered control by 1134. On July 24, 1148, during the Second Crusade, King initiated the Siege of Damascus alongside and local leaders, targeting the as a strategic Muslim stronghold despite its prior alliance with the against Zengi. The four-day operation, plagued by logistical failures, internal disputes, and suspected bribery shifting defenses, ended in Crusader retreat on July 28, undermining the crusade's objectives and exposing fractures among Christian forces. The occurred on July 24, 1411, north of in , , pitting Alexander Stewart, , leading a Lowland force of about 2,000-3,000 men, against Donald of , , commanding a and Isles army of similar or larger size in a dispute over the Earldom of Ross. The clash, remembered as "Red Harlaw" for its high casualties—estimated at 500-1,000 dead on both sides combined—resulted in a tactical draw but a strategic victory for Mar's forces, halting expansion into the Lowlands and preserving central Scottish authority. French explorer , on his first voyage to commissioned by King Francis I, erected a 30-foot cross at Gaspé Bay on July 24, 1534, claiming the surrounding territory—including parts of modern —for in a ceremony attended by local Iroquoian chief . This act, documented in Cartier's own relation of the voyage, symbolized French assertion of sovereignty over the Gulf of St. Lawrence region, though it strained initial relations with indigenous groups, leading to the kidnapping of Donnacona's sons for transport to .

1601–1900

On July 24, 1701, French military officer and explorer arrived at the with approximately 100 French colonists and established as a and military outpost to counter British expansion and secure the fur trade; this settlement formed the basis for the modern city of . On July 24, 1715, the , consisting of 11 galleons and a escort ship loaded with silver, gold, and other valuables from the , departed under convoy commander Don Antonio de Ubilla, intending to sail to despite the onset of ; the fleet encountered a catastrophic hurricane on July 31, resulting in the loss of all but the ship and scattering treasure along Florida's east coast. On July 24, 1847, , leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, arrived in the after a 1,100-mile overland journey from Winter Quarters, , with 148 pioneers in the vanguard company; Young declared the arid valley suitable for settlement, marking the establishment of a Mormon theocratic community in what became and initiating large-scale and colonization efforts.

1901–present

On July 24, 1911, explorer reached the Inca citadel of in after being guided by local farmers, initiating its rediscovery to the modern world after centuries of overgrowth and obscurity. The was signed on July 24, 1923, by representatives of the Allied Powers and Turkey, formally ending the , recognizing the Republic of Turkey's sovereignty, and delineating its modern borders while addressing minority rights, capitulations, and economic concessions. On July 24, 1959, U.S. Vice President and Soviet Premier engaged in the "" at an in , where they argued over the merits of capitalism versus communism in a model kitchen, highlighting ideological tensions. The spacecraft, carrying astronauts , , and , splashed down safely in the on July 24, 1969, concluding the first manned mission to land on the after eight days in space, with recovery by the . In United States v. Nixon, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled on July 24, 1974, that President Richard Nixon must release subpoenaed White House tapes related to the Watergate scandal, rejecting his claim of executive privilege and accelerating his resignation the following month.

Births

Pre-1600

In 1132, Ranulf II, Count of Alife, defeated Roger II of Sicily at the Battle of Nocera (also known as the Battle of Scafati), marking one of Roger's rare military setbacks amid his campaigns to consolidate Norman power in southern Italy. The engagement, fought near Nocera Inferiore, involved Ranulf's forces ambushing Roger's army, forcing the Sicilian king to flee with heavy losses, though Ranulf's victory proved short-lived as Roger recovered control by 1134. On July 24, 1148, during the Second Crusade, King initiated the Siege of Damascus alongside and local leaders, targeting the as a strategic Muslim stronghold despite its prior alliance with the against Zengi. The four-day operation, plagued by logistical failures, internal disputes, and suspected bribery shifting defenses, ended in retreat on July 28, undermining the crusade's objectives and exposing fractures among Christian forces. The occurred on July 24, 1411, north of in , , pitting Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, leading a Lowland force of about 2,000-3,000 men, against Donald of , , commanding a and Isles army of similar or larger size in a dispute over the Earldom of Ross. The clash, remembered as "Red Harlaw" for its high casualties—estimated at 500-1,000 dead on both sides combined—resulted in a tactical draw but a strategic victory for Mar's forces, halting expansion into the Lowlands and preserving central Scottish authority. French explorer , on his first voyage to commissioned by King Francis I, erected a 30-foot cross at Gaspé Bay on July 24, 1534, claiming the surrounding territory—including parts of modern —for in a ceremony attended by local Iroquoian chief . This act, documented in Cartier's own relation of the voyage, symbolized French assertion of sovereignty over the Gulf of St. Lawrence region, though it strained initial relations with indigenous groups, leading to the kidnapping of Donnacona's sons for transport to .

1601–1900

On July 24, 1701, French military officer and explorer arrived at the with approximately 100 French colonists and established as a trading post and military outpost to counter British expansion and secure the fur trade; this settlement formed the basis for the modern city of . On July 24, 1715, the , consisting of 11 galleons and a escort ship loaded with silver, gold, and other valuables from the , departed under convoy commander Don Antonio de Ubilla, intending to sail to despite the onset of ; the fleet encountered a catastrophic hurricane on July 31, resulting in the loss of all but the ship and scattering treasure along Florida's east coast. On July 24, 1847, , leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, arrived in the after a 1,100-mile overland journey from Winter Quarters, , with 148 pioneers in the vanguard company; Young declared the arid valley suitable for settlement, marking the establishment of a Mormon theocratic community in what became and initiating large-scale and colonization efforts.

1901–present

On July 24, 1911, explorer reached the Inca citadel of in after being guided by local farmers, initiating its rediscovery to the modern world after centuries of overgrowth and obscurity. The was signed on July 24, 1923, by representatives of the Allied Powers and , formally ending the , recognizing the Republic of 's sovereignty, and delineating its modern borders while addressing minority rights, capitulations, and economic concessions. On July 24, 1959, U.S. Vice President and Soviet Premier engaged in the "" at an in , where they argued over the merits of capitalism versus communism in a model kitchen, highlighting ideological tensions. The spacecraft, carrying astronauts , , and , splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969, concluding the first manned mission to land on the after eight days in space, with recovery by the . In United States v. Nixon, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled on July 24, 1974, that President Richard Nixon must release subpoenaed White House tapes related to the Watergate scandal, rejecting his claim of executive privilege and accelerating his resignation the following month.

Deaths

Pre-1600

In 1132, Ranulf II, Count of Alife, defeated Roger II of Sicily at the Battle of Nocera (also known as the Battle of Scafati), marking one of Roger's rare military setbacks amid his campaigns to consolidate Norman power in southern Italy. The engagement, fought near Nocera Inferiore, involved Ranulf's forces ambushing Roger's army, forcing the Sicilian king to flee with heavy losses, though Ranulf's victory proved short-lived as Roger recovered control by 1134. On July 24, 1148, during the Second Crusade, King initiated the Siege of Damascus alongside and local leaders, targeting the as a strategic Muslim stronghold despite its prior alliance with the against Zengi. The four-day operation, plagued by logistical failures, internal disputes, and suspected bribery shifting defenses, ended in retreat on July 28, undermining the crusade's objectives and exposing fractures among Christian forces. The occurred on July 24, 1411, north of in , , pitting Alexander Stewart, , leading a Lowland force of about 2,000-3,000 men, against Donald of , , commanding a and Isles army of similar or larger size in a dispute over the Earldom of Ross. The clash, remembered as "Red Harlaw" for its high casualties—estimated at 500-1,000 dead on both sides combined—resulted in a tactical draw but a strategic victory for Mar's forces, halting expansion into the Lowlands and preserving central Scottish authority. French explorer , on his first voyage to commissioned by King Francis I, erected a 30-foot cross at Gaspé Bay on July 24, 1534, claiming the surrounding territory—including parts of modern —for in a ceremony attended by local Iroquoian chief . This act, documented in Cartier's own relation of the voyage, symbolized French assertion of sovereignty over the Gulf of St. Lawrence region, though it strained initial relations with indigenous groups, leading to the kidnapping of Donnacona's sons for transport to .

1601–1900

On July 24, 1701, French military officer and explorer arrived at the with approximately 100 French colonists and established as a and military outpost to counter British expansion and secure the fur trade; this settlement formed the basis for the modern city of . On July 24, 1715, the , consisting of 11 galleons and a escort ship loaded with silver, gold, and other valuables from the , departed under convoy commander Don Antonio de Ubilla, intending to sail to despite the onset of ; the fleet encountered a catastrophic hurricane on July 31, resulting in the loss of all but the ship and scattering treasure along Florida's east coast. On July 24, 1847, , leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, arrived in the after a 1,100-mile overland journey from Winter Quarters, , with 148 pioneers in the vanguard company; Young declared the arid valley suitable for settlement, marking the establishment of a Mormon theocratic community in what became and initiating large-scale and colonization efforts.

1901–present

On July 24, 1911, explorer reached the Inca citadel of in after being guided by local farmers, initiating its rediscovery to the modern world after centuries of overgrowth and obscurity. The was signed on July 24, 1923, by representatives of the Allied Powers and Turkey, formally ending the , recognizing the Republic of Turkey's sovereignty, and delineating its modern borders while addressing , capitulations, and economic concessions. On July 24, 1959, U.S. Vice President and Soviet Premier engaged in the "" at an in , where they argued over the merits of capitalism versus communism in a model kitchen, highlighting ideological tensions. The spacecraft, carrying astronauts , , and , splashed down safely in the on July 24, 1969, concluding the first manned mission to land on the after eight days in space, with recovery by the . In , the U.S. unanimously ruled on July 24, 1974, that President must release subpoenaed tapes related to the , rejecting his claim of and accelerating his resignation the following month.

Holidays and observances

Religious observances

In the , July 24 marks the optional memorial of Saint (1828–1898), a Lebanese Maronite priest and hermit renowned for reported miracles and ascetic life in the , where he lived as a recluse for 23 years before his death from exhaustion. Devotees honor him with prayers for healing and spiritual guidance, reflecting his canonization by in 1977 amid documented posthumous phenomena like luminous apparitions. The same date observes the feast of Saint Christina the Astonishing (1150–1224), a Belgian mystic who, after a reported resurrection during her funeral Mass, exhibited extraordinary behaviors interpreted as visions of purgatorial souls, including levitation and enduring extreme physical trials voluntarily. Hagiographies, drawn from contemporary accounts by Cardinal Jacques de Vitry, portray her as a stigmatist and intercessor, though skeptics attribute her actions to psychological conditions; her veneration persists in traditional calendars for themes of divine ecstasy and penance. Among The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, July 24 is , commemorating the 1847 arrival of and approximately 148 in the [Salt Lake Valley](/page/Salt Lake Valley) after the 1,300-mile from , amid persecution. Observances include parades, treks reenacting the journey, and fireside gatherings emphasizing faith-driven resilience and settlement of , with statewide closures in reflecting its foundational role in denominational history.

National and international holidays

Simón Bolívar Day is observed as a on July 24 in , , , , and , commemorating the birth of the independence leader in 1783 and his role in liberating South American territories from Spanish rule. Pioneer Day is a state in , , marking the entry of and the first into the on July 24, 1847, with celebrations including parades, rodeos, and across the state. Children’s Day is a national in on July 24, dedicated to promoting child welfare, , and participation in society through events focused on and contributions.

Secular and cultural observances

International Self-Care Day is observed globally on July 24 to highlight the role of in maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. Initiated by the International Self-Care Foundation in 2011, the observance emphasizes proactive personal health management through practices like balanced nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction, with the date selected to represent self-care availability "24/7." The World Health Organization aligns Self-Care Month with this day, concluding on July 24 to advocate for accessible strategies amid rising healthcare demands. National Amelia Earhart Day, also on July 24, honors the American aviator born that day in 1897, celebrating her record-breaking flights and advocacy for gender equality in aviation. Earhart's 1932 solo nonstop transatlantic crossing made her the first woman to achieve this feat, advancing opportunities for female pilots and inspiring STEM pursuits. National Cousins Day, observed in the United States on July 24, recognizes the unique familial ties between cousins, often described as early playmates and lifelong confidants outside immediate nuclear family structures. While its precise origins are undocumented, the day encourages gatherings, shared memories, and appreciation of extended family networks that foster social development from childhood.

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