March 24

Events

1199day.year

King Richard I of England is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting in France, leading to his death on April 6.

During the siege of Châlus-Chabrol, King Richard I of England is struck by a crossbow bolt and mortally wounded.
On March 24, 1199, King Richard I led his army against the castle of Châlus in southwestern France. A defender's crossbow bolt pierced his shoulder and became infected. Despite medical attention, the wound festered and led to his death on April 6. Richard's death ended a reign marked by the Third Crusade and strained relations with France. His brother John succeeded him, ushering in a new chapter in English monarchy. The incident highlights the perils of medieval warfare and the fragility of even the most powerful rulers.
1199 Richard I of England France April 6
1387day.year

English victory over a Franco-Castilian-Flemish fleet in the Battle of Margate off the coast of Margate.

The English navy decisively defeats a combined Franco-Castilian-Flemish fleet off the coast of Margate.
On March 24, 1387, during the Hundred Years' War, the English fleet intercepted an allied Franco-Castilian-Flemish force near Margate. Commanded by the Earl of Arundel and the Duke of Gloucester, the English ships used longbows and skilled seamanship to rout the attackers. The victory protected the southern English coast from invasion and boosted national morale. It demonstrated England's growing naval capabilities and set a precedent for future maritime engagements. The battle remains a notable example of late medieval naval warfare.
1387 English Franco Castilian Flemish fleet Battle of Margate Margate
1401day.year

Turco-Mongol emperor Timur sacks Damascus.

Timur's forces capture and plunder Damascus, delivering a devastating blow to the Mamluk Sultanate.
On March 24, 1401, the Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur arrived before the walls of Damascus. After a brief siege, his army overwhelmed the city's defenses and unleashed widespread looting and destruction. Many inhabitants were killed, enslaved, or forced to flee, and significant cultural and religious sites were damaged. The sack marked the peak of Timur's Middle Eastern campaign and weakened the Mamluk Sultanate's prestige. Contemporary accounts describe the brutality of the assault and its long-lasting impact on the region's politics and society.
1401 Turco-Mongol Timur Damascus
1603day.year

James VI of Scotland is proclaimed King James I of England and Ireland, upon the death of Elizabeth I.

James VI of Scotland ascends to the English and Irish thrones as James I, uniting the crowns of Scotland and England.
On March 24, 1603, following the death of Queen Elizabeth I, her cousin James VI of Scotland was proclaimed King James I of England and Ireland. This event initiated the Union of the Crowns, bringing Scotland and England under a single monarch for the first time. While each kingdom retained its own parliament and legal system, James sought greater political and religious harmony. His reign saw the commissioning of the King James Bible and tensions such as the Gunpowder Plot. The union set the stage for eventual political integration over a century later.
1603 James VI of Scotland England Ireland Elizabeth I
1603day.year

Tokugawa Ieyasu is granted the title of shōgun from Emperor Go-Yōzei, and establishes the Tokugawa shogunate in Edo, Japan.

Tokugawa Ieyasu is named shōgun by Emperor Go-Yōzei, founding the Tokugawa shogunate in Edo.
On March 24, 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu received the formal title of shōgun from Emperor Go-Yōzei, solidifying his control over Japan. He established his government in Edo, later Tokyo, marking the start of the Edo period. The Tokugawa shogunate implemented strict social order, isolationist foreign policies, and a stable feudal system. This era of peace lasted more than 250 years, allowing arts and commerce to flourish. Ieyasu's leadership laid the foundation for a unified and enduring Japanese state.
Tokugawa Ieyasu shōgun Emperor Go-Yōzei Tokugawa shogunate Edo
1663day.year

The Province of Carolina is granted by charter to eight Lords Proprietor in reward for their assistance in restoring Charles II of England to the throne.

King Charles II grants the Province of Carolina to eight Lords Proprietor, establishing a new English colony in North America.
On March 24, 1663, King Charles II issued charters granting the vast territory of Carolina to eight loyal supporters, known as the Lords Proprietor. They were tasked with governing, defending, and developing the colony. The proprietors attracted settlers with promises of religious freedom and land grants. Carolina grew into a plantation economy, cultivating rice, indigo, and tobacco. Internal disputes and governance challenges eventually led to the division into North and South Carolina. This charter shaped the early political and economic landscape of the American Southeast.
1663 Province of Carolina Lords Proprietor restoring Charles II of England
1720day.year

Count Frederick of Hesse-Kassel is elected King of Sweden by the Riksdag of the Estates, after his consort Ulrika Eleonora abdicated the throne on 29 February.

After Queen Ulrika Eleonora's abdication, the Swedish Riksdag elects Frederick of Hesse-Kassel as King Frederick I.
On March 24, 1720, the Riksdag of the Estates formally elected Count Frederick of Hesse-Kassel as King Frederick I of Sweden. His ascension followed the abdication of his wife, Queen Ulrika Eleonora, earlier that year. Frederick's reign ushered in the Age of Liberty, during which the Swedish parliament gained significant power at the expense of the monarchy. He focused on economic recovery and diplomatic relations after the Great Northern War. His election exemplified the shifting balance between royal authority and parliamentary governance in early 18th-century Europe.
1720 Frederick of Hesse-Kassel Sweden Riksdag of the Estates Ulrika Eleonora
1721day.year

Johann Sebastian Bach dedicated six concertos to Margrave Christian Ludwig of Brandenburg-Schwedt, now commonly called the Brandenburg Concertos, BWV 1046–1051.

Johann Sebastian Bach dedicates six orchestral concertos to the Margrave of Brandenburg, later known as the Brandenburg Concertos.
On March 24, 1721, Johann Sebastian Bach presented a set of six richly scored concertos to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt. Each concerto features unique combinations of instruments drawn from the margrave's court musicians. Although they were never performed in the margrave's court, the works showcase Bach's mastery of counterpoint, form, and color. Rediscovered in the 19th century, the Brandenburg Concertos are now celebrated as masterpieces of the Baroque era. Their publication and performance history exemplify the patronage system and artistic innovation of the time.
1721 Johann Sebastian Bach concertos Margrave Christian Ludwig of Brandenburg-Schwedt Brandenburg Concertos
1765day.year

Great Britain passes the Quartering Act, which requires the Thirteen Colonies to house British troops.

Parliament enacts the Quartering Act, forcing American colonists to provide accommodations and supplies for British soldiers.
On March 24, 1765, the British Parliament passed the Quartering Act as part of a series of measures to assert control over its American colonies. The law required colonial assemblies to provide housing, food, and fuel for British troops stationed in North America. Many colonists viewed the act as a violation of their rights and an example of forced quartering. Resistance to this and other acts stoked colonial grievances that eventually fueled the American Revolution. The Quartering Act remains a symbol of colonial protest against British authority.
1765 Great Britain Quartering Act Thirteen Colonies British troops
1794day.year

In Kraków, Tadeusz Kościuszko announces a general uprising against Imperial Russia and the Kingdom of Prussia, and assumes the powers of the Commander in Chief of all of the Polish forces.

Tadeusz Kościuszko proclaims a national insurrection in Kraków and takes command of Polish forces against Russian and Prussian control.
On March 24, 1794, Polish patriot and military engineer Tadeusz Kościuszko declared a national uprising in Kraków against the occupying forces of Russia and Prussia. He assumed supreme command of the newly organized Polish army and rallied peasants, townspeople, and nobles to the cause. Early victories, such as the Battle of Racławice, demonstrated the insurgents' resolve. Despite heroic resistance, the uprising ultimately succumbed to superior enemy forces. The Kościuszko Uprising left a lasting legacy of Polish nationalism and inspired future movements for independence.
1794 Kraków Tadeusz Kościuszko announces general uprising Commander in Chief Polish forces
1829day.year

The Parliament of the United Kingdom passes the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, allowing Catholics to serve in Parliament.

In 1829, the UK Parliament enacted the Roman Catholic Relief Act, allowing Catholics to serve as Members of Parliament for the first time.
Passed on March 24, 1829, the Roman Catholic Relief Act represented a landmark in the Catholic emancipation movement led by figures like Daniel O’Connell. It removed centuries-old legal restrictions barring Catholics from holding parliamentary seats, judicial positions, and other public offices. The Act faced fierce debate, with opponents fearing a resurgence of Catholic influence. Its passage marked a significant shift toward religious tolerance in Britain and Ireland. The law paved the way for greater political participation among Catholics and contributed to the reshaping of British political and social landscapes.
1829 Parliament of the United Kingdom Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829
1832day.year

In Hiram, Ohio, a group of men beat and tar and feather Mormon leader Joseph Smith.

In 1832, Mormon leader Joseph Smith was attacked and tarred and feathered by a mob in Hiram, Ohio, reflecting intense anti-Mormon sentiment.
On March 24, 1832, Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, visited Hiram, Ohio, where he was violently accosted by a group of locals. The mob captured Smith’s associate Sidney Rigdon and subjected them to tarring and feathering, a humiliating and painful punishment. This incident underscored the deep prejudice and suspicion toward the nascent Mormon community. Despite the brutality, Smith continued his religious work, eventually relocating and solidifying the movement’s base. The attack remains a stark example of early religious intolerance on the American frontier.
1832 Hiram, Ohio tar and feather Mormon Joseph Smith