474day.year
Julius Nepos forces Roman usurper Glycerius to abdicate the throne and proclaims himself Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
Julius Nepos deposes the usurper Glycerius and proclaims himself Western Roman Emperor.
In AD 474, Julius Nepos, commanding forces from the Eastern Roman Empire, marched into Italy to challenge the usurper Glycerius. Glycerius, installed by Burgundian troops, lacked recognition from Constantinople. Through a combination of diplomacy and military pressure, Nepos forced Glycerius to abdicate without significant bloodshed. Recognized by both East and West, Nepos restored formal authority to the Western throne. His accession highlighted the Eastern Empire’s influence in Italian politics during Rome’s waning years. Julius Nepos’s reign marked one of the final attempts to revive centralized imperial rule in the West.
474
Julius Nepos
Glycerius
Western Roman Empire
1509day.year
Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon are crowned King and Queen of England.
On June 24, 1509, Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon were crowned King and Queen of England in a lavish Westminster Abbey ceremony.
The coronation of King Henry VIII and Queen Catherine of Aragon took place at Westminster Abbey, heralding a new era for the Tudor dynasty. Thousands of nobles and spectators attended the grand procession, witnessing the anointing rituals and splendid regalia. Catherine, a Spanish princess, stood beside Henry as he received the monarch's orb and scepter, symbolizing his secular authority. The ceremony featured elaborate feasts, jousts, and pageantry, reflecting both English tradition and continental influences. This event solidified the couple's alliance and elevated England's status in European politics. However, the union's later unraveling would lead to England's break with the Catholic Church and profound religious upheaval.
1509
Henry VIII
Catherine of Aragon
1540day.year
English King Henry VIII commands his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, to leave the court.
In 1540, King Henry VIII abruptly ordered Anne of Cleves to leave his court, effectively annulling their short-lived marriage.
On June 24, 1540, Henry VIII summoned Anne of Cleves and informed her that their marriage was annulled, citing lack of consummation and mutual affection. Although the union had been arranged for political alliance with her brother, Duke William of Cleves, Henry claimed he found Anne personally unattractive. Despite the abrupt separation, Anne received a generous settlement, including Richmond Palace and a substantial annual income. She was thereafter styled as King's Beloved Sister and maintained a cordial relationship with the Tudor court. This dramatic event illustrated the King's mercurial marital politics and underscored the intersection of diplomacy and personal preference in Tudor dynastic strategies.
1540
Henry VIII
Anne of Cleves
1793day.year
The first Republican constitution in France is adopted.
France's National Convention adopts the first Republican Constitution (1793), embedding revolutionary ideals and rights into the new government.
On June 24, 1793, the National Convention approved the French Constitution of 1793, also known as the Montagnard Constitution.
This radical republican charter enshrined universal male suffrage, social welfare provisions, and the abolition of slavery in French colonies.
Although never implemented due to ongoing revolutionary turmoil and the Reign of Terror, it reflected the Jacobin vision for a democratic republic.
Key articles guaranteed rights to public assistance, freedom of speech, and equality before the law.
The constitution influenced future republican movements across Europe and laid the ideological groundwork for many modern constitutions.
Its adoption marked the height of revolutionary fervor before internal conflict disrupted its enforcement.
1793
first Republican constitution
1894day.year
Assassination of the French President, Sadi Carnot by Sante Caserio during the Ère des attentats (1892-1894).
French President Sadi Carnot was assassinated by anarchist Sante Caserio in Lyon. This shocking act exemplified the violent turmoil of France's Era des attentats between 1892 and 1894.
On June 24, 1894, President Marie François Sadi Carnot was attending a public event in Lyon when anarchist Sante Caserio approached and stabbed him.
Carnot, respected for his moderate political stance, succumbed to his wounds later that day, sending shockwaves through France.
This assassination occurred at the height of the Era des attentats, a period marked by multiple attacks and unrest linked to anarchist movements.
The incident prompted a swift government response, leading to increased security measures and stricter anti-anarchist legislation.
Sante Caserio was captured, tried, and executed by guillotine in Lyon just months later.
The event underscored the volatile political climate of late 19th-century Europe and the rise of anarchist extremism.
1894
Assassination of the French President, Sadi Carnot
Sante Caserio
Ère des attentats
1913day.year
Greece and Serbia annul their alliance with Bulgaria.
Greece and Serbia formally annulled their alliance with Bulgaria in 1913, signaling a major shift in Balkan diplomacy. The decision intensified regional tensions and foreshadowed the alliances of World War I.
On June 24, 1913, Greece and Serbia officially declared the termination of their military pact with Bulgaria, which had been formed during the First Balkan War.
This diplomatic break followed disputes over territorial gains in Macedonia and the allocation of spoils after the conflict.
By withdrawing support, Greece and Serbia sought to counter Bulgarian influence and secure more favorable borders.
The annulment surprised European powers, raising concerns about stability in the already volatile Balkan region.
The shift in alliances contributed to the complex web of treaties and ententes that would later play a critical role in the outbreak of World War I.
1913
Serbia
Bulgaria
1932day.year
A bloodless revolution instigated by the People's Party ends the absolute power of King Prajadhipok of Siam (now Thailand).
A coup d'état led by the People's Party in 1932 ended King Prajadhipok's absolute rule in Siam, ushering in constitutional government.
On June 24, 1932, the People's Party carried out a bloodless revolution in Siam (now Thailand), overthrowing the absolute monarchy of King Prajadhipok.
The movement, comprising military officers and civil servants, sought to establish a constitutional government modeled on Western democracies.
Using minimal force, they seized key government buildings in Bangkok and demanded King Prajadhipok accept a new constitution.
Faced with popular support for reform and without military resistance, the king acquiesced and granted a constitution days later.
This landmark event transformed Siam into a constitutional monarchy and marked the end of centuries-old royal absolutism.
The 1932 revolution set Thailand on a path of political modernization, though the country would experience further coups and political upheavals in subsequent years.
1932
revolution
People's Party
Prajadhipok
Siam
Thailand
1939day.year
Siam is renamed Thailand by Plaek Phibunsongkhram, the country's third prime minister.
Under Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram, Siam officially adopted the name Thailand, reflecting a new national identity.
On June 24, 1939, Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram issued a proclamation renaming the Kingdom of Siam to the Kingdom of Thailand.
The change emphasized the unity of the Thai people and the nation's historical roots, as Thailand means 'Land of the Free'.
The renaming was part of broader reforms promoting Thai nationalism and modern statehood under Phibunsongkhram's leadership.
Government departments, currency, and public signage were gradually updated to reflect the new name.
The country would briefly revert to Siam after World War II, but Thailand became permanent in 1949.
This renaming symbolized a significant cultural and political shift in the nation's 20th-century history.
1939
Plaek Phibunsongkhram
prime minister
1950day.year
Apartheid: In South Africa, the Group Areas Act is passed, formally segregating races.
South Africa's apartheid government enacts the Group Areas Act, legally enforcing racial segregation.
On June 24, 1950, the Parliament of South Africa passed the Group Areas Act, a cornerstone of the apartheid system. The law designated specific residential and business areas for different racial groups, separating communities by law. Non-white residents faced forced removals from areas classified for whites, leading to widespread displacement and suffering. The act institutionalized racial discrimination, controlling movement and economic opportunities for millions. It sparked local and international condemnation, fueling resistance movements within South Africa and abroad. Over decades, the law's impact entrenched social divisions and inequality. The Group Areas Act remained in force until its repeal in the early 1990s, when apartheid began to be dismantled.
1950
Apartheid
Group Areas Act
1957day.year
In Roth v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment.
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Roth v. United States that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment.
In a landmark decision on June 24, 1957, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered its opinion in Roth v. United States. The Court held that obscene material is not protected speech under the First Amendment, defining obscenity as material that appeals to prurient interest. This ruling provided a legal test for determining obscene content and established limits on free expression. Justice William Brennan authored the majority opinion, stressing community standards in evaluating obscenity. Roth set a precedent for subsequent cases and influenced legislation on pornography and censorship. While controversial, the decision clarified the balance between free speech and moral regulation. It remains a foundational case in American constitutional law and the literature of civil liberties.
1957
Roth v. United States
U.S. Supreme Court
First Amendment
1960day.year
Venezuelan President Rómulo Betancourt is injured in an assassination attempt.
Venezuelan President Rómulo Betancourt survives an assassination attempt while attending a public event.
On June 24, 1960, President Rómulo Betancourt of Venezuela was wounded in a brazen assassination attempt during a public gathering. Armed assailants opened fire on Betancourt's vehicle, striking him in the abdomen and injuring several bystanders. The attack was linked to political opposition and external forces unhappy with Betancourt's democratic reforms. Despite serious injuries, the president recovered and used the incident to strengthen his campaign against dictatorship and foreign interference. The event underscored the volatile politics of Latin America during the Cold War and the risks faced by reformist leaders. Betancourt's survival bolstered his resolve and legacy as a champion of democracy in Venezuela.
1960
Venezuelan
Rómulo Betancourt
assassination attempt
1963day.year
The United Kingdom grants Zanzibar internal self-government.
Zanzibar is granted internal self-government by the United Kingdom, paving the way for independence.
On June 24, 1963, the United Kingdom formally granted internal self-government to the Sultanate of Zanzibar. The move allowed Zanzibaris to form their own government and control internal affairs while remaining under British protection. Key positions, including the prime minister and legislative assembly, were handed to locally elected officials led by the African majority. The transition marked a critical step toward full independence, which would be achieved in December 1963. This milestone reflected the broader wave of decolonization sweeping across Africa. However, tensions between the Arab elite and African community set the stage for political unrest. The episode remains a defining moment in Zanzibar's journey toward nationhood and its subsequent union with Tanganyika to form Tanzania.
1963
Zanzibar