May 24
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Aldersgate Day/WesleyDay (Methodism)
Aldersgate Day, observed by Methodists, commemorates John Wesley's transformative spiritual experience on May 24, 1738, on Aldersgate Street in London.
Battle of Pichincha Day(Ecuador)
Battle of Pichincha Day commemorates the 1822 victory near Quito that secured Ecuador's independence from Spanish rule.
Bermuda Day(Bermuda), celebrated on the nearest weekday if May 24 falls on the weekend.
Bermuda Day is a public holiday celebrating the start of summer, observed on May 24 or the nearest weekday if it falls on a weekend.
Christianfeast day:
Anna Pak Agi(one of TheKorean Martyrs), Donatian and Rogatian, Jackson Kemper(Episcopal Church), Joanna, Mary, Help of Christians, Sarah(celebrated by theRomani peopleofCamargue), Vincent of Lérins, May 24 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Various Christian traditions commemorate several saints on May 24, honoring martyrs and missionaries across different cultures.
Commonwealth Day (Belize)
Commonwealth Day in Belize commemorates the country's membership in the Commonwealth of Nations with official ceremonies and public events.
Independence Day (Eritrea), celebrates the independence ofEritreafromEthiopiain 1993.
Independence Day in Eritrea celebrates the nation's secession from Ethiopia on May 24, 1993.
Lubiri Memorial Day(Buganda)
Lubiri Memorial Day commemorates the tragic burning of the Buganda royal palace in 1890 and honors the resilience of the Baganda people.
Saints Cyril and Methodius Day(Eastern Orthodox Church, Julian Calendar) and its related observance:
Bulgarian Education and Culture and Slavonic Literature Day(Bulgaria), Saints Cyril and Methodius, Slavonic Enlighteners' Day(North Macedonia)
Saints Cyril and Methodius Day, observed by Eastern Orthodox churches and in Bulgaria and North Macedonia, honors the creators of the Slavic alphabet and celebrates Slavic culture and education.
Victoria Day; celebrated on Monday on or before May 24. (Canada), and its related observance:
National Patriots' DayorJournée nationale des patriotes(Quebec)
Victoria Day, celebrated on the Monday on or before May 24, honors Queen Victoria's birthday and signals the unofficial start of summer, while in Quebec it coincides with National Patriots' Day.
Events
The nobles of Franconia and Saxony elect Henry the Fowler at the Imperial Diet in Fritzlar as king of the East Frankish Kingdom.
In 919, German nobles gather at Fritzlar to elect Henry the Fowler as king, laying foundations for the East Frankish Kingdom.
The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt.
European crusaders depart Acre in 1218 to launch the Fifth Crusade against Egypt.
Magnus Ladulås is crowned King of Sweden in Uppsala Cathedral.
In 1276, Magnus Ladulås is crowned king in Uppsala Cathedral, ushering in a new era in Sweden.
The ten-year-old Lambert Simnel is crowned in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland, with the name of Edward VI in a bid to threaten King Henry VII's reign.
Lambert Simnel is crowned in Dublin as a Yorkist pretender to challenge King Henry VII in 1487.
Erik XIV of Sweden and his guards murder five incarcerated Swedish nobles.
King Erik XIV orders the killing of five noble prisoners in 1567, an event known as the Sture Murders.
Nomenclator of Leiden University Library appears, the first printed catalog of an institutional library.
Leiden University publishes the Nomenclator in 1595, the first printed catalog for an institutional library.
Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in North America, is founded.
English settlers establish Jamestown in 1607 as their first enduring colony in North America.
The Protestant Union is formally dissolved.
Formed to defend Protestant interests, the Protestant Union is officially disbanded in 1621.
Peter Minuit buys Manhattan.
In 1626, Dutch director Peter Minuit purchases Manhattan Island from Native Americans.
Births
Germanicus
Prominent Roman general and member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty who led successful campaigns in Germania and was adored by his troops.
Margaret of Bohemia
Bohemian princess who became Queen of Hungary through her marriage and ruled in the mid-14th century.
Pontormo
Italian Mannerist painter known for his vibrant colors and expressive compositions.
John Jewel
English bishop and theologian who shaped the doctrines of the Elizabethan Church.
William Gilbert
English physician and scientist who pioneered the study of magnetism and electricity.
Elizabeth Carey
English noblewoman and courtier who held influence at the Jacobean court and patronized the arts.
John Maitland
Scottish duke and statesman who served as Secretary of State and dominated Scottish politics during the Restoration.
Marek Sobieski
Polish nobleman from the influential Sobieski family of the 17th century.
Emerentia von Düben
Swedish courtier and confidante of Queen Ulrika Eleonora who wielded significant influence at court.
Deaths
Ségéne
Ségéne was a 7th-century bishop of Armagh in Ireland.
Lanfranc
Lanfranc was an 11th-century Archbishop of Canterbury who reformed the English church under William the Conqueror.
Hugues de Payens
Hugues de Payens was a French knight who co-founded the Knights Templar and served as its first Grand Master.
David I was the King of Scotland from 1124 to 1153, known for modernizing his kingdom with Norman-inspired reforms.
Theobald III
Theobald III was the Count of Champagne from 1197 to 1201, remembered for his patronage of the arts and commerce.
Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman
Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman was the Marinid Sultan of Morocco from 1331 to 1351, known for his architectural patronage and military campaigns.
Taejo of Joseon, born Yi Seong-gye, was the founder and first king of Korea's Joseon dynasty, ruling from 1392 to 1398.
Murdoch Stewart
Murdoch Stewart was the 2nd Duke of Albany and Regent of Scotland, wielding power during King James I's captivity.
Ambroise de Loré
Ambroise de Loré was a French knight and military commander who fought alongside Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years' War.