On this day

Rome was overrun!

In 410 AD, Rome was overrun by Visihgoths under the orders of Alaric I. This would later be seen as the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The Empire would collapse completely by around 476 AD, but historians argue that it was this moment that set the ball in motion.

A massacre occurred in France.

In 1572, St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of Protestants by Roman Catholics began in Paris. It later spread to the French provinces and was just one of several "purges" befalling France towards the end of the 1500s. Thankfully, we live in (slightly) more enlightened times.

The Book of Common Prayer was accepted.

In 1662, due to the Act of Uniformity, the English had to accept the Book of Common Prayer. This was part of a series of moves beginning from 1660, after the UK had brought back the monarchy (it had been overthrown by Oliver Cromwell some years prior).

Mexico started on the road to independence.

August 24th, 1821, was an incredibly important day for Mexico as a nation – as it was when the Treaty of Córdoba was signed. This is one of the most crucial documents that led to Mexico claiming full independence from Spain!

Pete Rose shocked the baseball world.

Then-highly regarded baseball player and later manager Pete Rose rocked the world of sport on this day in 1989, as it emerged that he’d been betting on games. This led to Rose’s barring from entering the hallowed Baseball Hall of Fame. Rose openly admitted to betting habits some time later.

Special Days Falling on August 24th

August 24th is also a day for celebration, commemoration, and taking the time to consider others. With that in mind, here are some of the most important holidays taking place around the world today.

Cassettes use magnetic fields to store music

International Strange Music Day

Believe it or not, every August 24th is the perfect date to celebrate your taste in strange music! It is a day where all around the world people are encouraged to listen to their loved ones’ strange tastes in music, or even try new genres they may have never considered before. Broaden your horizons, learn about some strange new music today!

National Flag Day in Liberia

Every August 24th is also National Flag Day in Liberia. The flag marks the country's independence from the US and is honored every year on this same date. All around the nation, people honor the country, its struggles, and get together with family and friends to mark the nation's independence.

St Bartholomew History

One of the first apostles of Jesus Christ, St Bartholomew, has his own special day every year on August 24th. Christians all around the world take the time today to honor St Bartholomew, and all that he did for their lord and saviour. It also happens to mark the date of the St Bartholomew's Massacre, as mentioned above.

This page was last modified on August 17, 2023. Suggest an edit

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This month in history

The Purple Heart was created. In 1782, George Washington instituted the Purple Heart, which was, at the time, known as the Badge of Military Merit. The award is given to those wounded or even killed while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It’s well-known for being the oldest military award of its kind in the US.

Famous Birthdays on August 24th

William Wilberforce, English politician, and philanthropist, born 1759

Theodore Dubois, French composer, born 1837

Marsha P. Johnson, American civil rights activist, born 1945

Stephen Fry, English actor, author, director, and national treasure, born 1957

Rupert Grint, English actor, born 1988

If you were born on August 24th…

…you’re a Virgo! You are a very patient and kind person. However, you can also be very critical of others! On the whole, however, you tend to be pretty humble, even if you do feel you have all the right answers!

Look over at our Virgo fact page and find out more about yourself.