1973day.year
The UpStairs Lounge arson attack takes place at a gay bar located on the second floor of the three-story building at 141 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, US. Thirty-two people die as a result of fire or smoke inhalation.
A deadly arson attack at the UpStairs Lounge gay bar in New Orleans kills 32 people.
On June 24, 1973, a devastating arson fire erupted at the UpStairs Lounge, a popular gay bar in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
The blaze claimed 32 lives from burns or smoke inhalation, marking one of the worst attacks on the LGBT community in U.S. history.
The three-story building at 141 Chartres Street offered few escape routes, hampering rescue efforts.
Media coverage was limited, and survivors struggled for recognition and support in a time of widespread discrimination.
The tragedy exposed systemic failures in emergency response and fire safety regulations.
In the aftermath, the attack galvanized LGBT activists and highlighted the urgent need for greater rights and protections.
1973
UpStairs Lounge arson attack
1975day.year
Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 encounters severe wind shear and crashes on final approach to New York's JFK Airport killing 113 of the 124 passengers on board, making it the deadliest U.S. plane crash at the time. This accident led to decades of research into downburst and microburst phenomena and their effects on aircraft.
Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 crashes on approach to JFK Airport due to severe wind shear, killing 113 passengers.
On June 24, 1975, Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 encountered a powerful microburst on final approach to New York’s JFK Airport.
The Boeing 727 was struck by sudden wind shear that destabilized its descent, leading to a crash that claimed 113 of 124 souls on board.
At the time, it was the deadliest aviation accident on U.S. soil.
Investigations revealed the dangers of downburst phenomena and spurred decades of meteorological research.
The tragedy led to the development of new wind-shear detection systems and pilot training protocols.
These advances have since saved countless lives by improving flight safety worldwide.
1975
Eastern Air Lines Flight 66
JFK Airport
1982day.year
"The Jakarta Incident": British Airways Flight 009 flies into a cloud of volcanic ash thrown up by the eruption of Mount Galunggung, resulting in the failure of all four engines.
British Airways Flight 009 loses all four engines after flying through volcanic ash from Mount Galunggung.
On June 24, 1982, British Airways Flight 009, nicknamed the “Jakarta Incident,” flew into a massive ash cloud from Mount Galunggung’s eruption.
The Boeing 747’s four engines ingested volcanic particles, causing them all to flame out at 37,000 feet.
The crew glided the powerless jet to 12,000 feet before successfully restarting the engines and making an emergency landing in Jakarta.
No fatalities occurred, but the incident highlighted the catastrophic risk of volcanic ash to jetliners.
It prompted the aviation industry to improve ash cloud detection, flight planning protocols, and pilot training.
This event remains a landmark case in aviation safety.
1982
British Airways Flight 009
Mount Galunggung
1994day.year
A Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashes at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Washington, killing four.
A Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashes at Fairchild Air Force Base, killing four crew members.
On June 24, 1994, a B-52 Stratofortress suffered a catastrophic failure and crashed during a low-altitude training sortie near Spokane, Washington.
The bomber, based at Fairchild Air Force Base, broke apart in mid-air, raining debris over the landscape.
All four crew on board perished instantly in the wreckage.
Investigators identified structural fatigue and hydraulic malfunctions as likely causes.
The tragedy led to a thorough review of the aging B-52 fleet’s maintenance procedures and inspection protocols.
Subsequent upgrades improved the bomber’s safety record and extended its operational life.
1994
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
crashes
Fairchild Air Force Base
Spokane, Washington
2002day.year
The Igandu train disaster in Tanzania kills 281, the worst train accident in African history.
A passenger train derailment at Igandu, Tanzania, kills 281, marking Africa’s deadliest rail accident.
On June 24, 2002, an overloaded passenger train plunged into a ravine near Igandu, Tanzania, after brakes failed on a steep descent.
The wreckage claimed 281 lives and injured hundreds more, becoming the worst rail disaster in African history.
Poor maintenance, outdated equipment, and overcrowding were cited as contributing factors.
Rescue efforts were hampered by the remote terrain and limited medical facilities.
The tragedy prompted Tanzanian authorities to overhaul rail safety standards and invest in infrastructure upgrades.
It highlighted the urgent need for modernization of the continent’s aging rail network.
2002
Igandu train disaster
Tanzania
African
2021day.year
The Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida suffers a sudden partial collapse, killing 98 people inside.
A tragic partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida occurred in 2021.
98 residents lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest building failures in U.S. history.
On June 24, 2021, a sudden structural failure caused 12 floors of the 40-year-old beachfront condo to collapse.
Rescue teams from across the country converged, battling unstable debris and complex engineering challenges.
Despite heroic efforts, 98 people perished while many were rescued and treated for injuries.
Investigations began into possible construction defects, maintenance lapses, and design flaws.
The disaster raised urgent questions about building codes, inspections, and coastal development.
It prompted nationwide reviews of older structures and greater scrutiny on residential building safety.
2021
Surfside, Florida
sudden partial collapse