July 24

Events

1132day.year

Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily.

A 1132 clash in southern Italy where rival Norman princes fought for territorial control at Nocera.
In July 1132, Ranulf II of Alife led his forces against those of Roger II of Sicily near Nocera. The battle featured heavy cavalry charges and fierce close-quarter combat. Roger’s strategic reserves eventually overwhelmed Ranulf’s army. The victory solidified Roger’s claim over southern Italy and enhanced his reputation. This encounter marked a key moment in the consolidation of Norman power in the region.
1132 Battle of Nocera Ranulf II of Alife Roger II of Sicily
1148day.year

Louis VII of France lays siege to Damascus during the Second Crusade.

Louis VII launches a major but ultimately unsuccessful siege of Damascus during the Second Crusade.
During the summer of 1148, King Louis VII of France set his sights on Damascus as part of the Second Crusade. He mobilized a large contingent of French knights and infantry to encircle the city walls. Despite initial progress, the Crusaders struggled with supply issues and stiff resistance from the city's defenders. Internal disagreements among the Crusader leaders further weakened their efforts. After several days of fruitless assaults, Louis VII lifted the siege, marking a turning point in the Crusade’s fortunes. The failed attack on Damascus dampened morale and foreshadowed the Crusaders’ eventual retreat from the Holy Land.
1148 Louis VII of France siege to Damascus Second Crusade
1304day.year

Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle: King Edward I of England takes the stronghold using the War Wolf.

King Edward I uses the massive trebuchet 'War Wolf' to capture Stirling Castle in 1304.
In July 1304, during the Wars of Scottish Independence, English forces under Edward I laid siege to Stirling Castle, a key Scottish stronghold. Edward deployed the War Wolf, reputedly the largest trebuchet ever constructed, to batter the castle’s walls. The colossal siege engine reportedly fired stones weighing up to 200 kg, causing widespread panic among the defenders. After days of relentless bombardment, the Scottish garrison negotiated terms and surrendered. The fall of Stirling Castle dealt a severe blow to Scottish resistance and reinforced Edward’s dominance in the war. The dramatic use of the War Wolf became legendary, symbolizing medieval siege warfare at its most formidable.
1304 Wars of Scottish Independence Fall of Stirling Castle Edward I of England War Wolf
1411day.year

Battle of Harlaw, one of the bloodiest battles in Scotland, takes place.

A bloody clash in 1411 where Highland and Lowland forces fought fiercely at Harlaw Moor.
On July 24, 1411, forces led by Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles, clashed with an army commanded by Alexander Stewart at Harlaw Moor near Inverurie. The battle, fought over claims to the Earldom of Ross, was marked by brutal close combat and heavy casualties on both sides. Despite Donald’s numerical superiority, the Highlanders failed to secure a decisive victory. The engagement ended inconclusively, but halted Donald’s advance into northeastern Scotland. Dubbed 'Red Harlaw' for the bloodshed, the battle became infamous as one of the most savage in medieval Scottish history. It underscored the tensions between Highland and Lowland Scotland during the period.
1411 Battle of Harlaw
1412day.year

Behnam Hadloyo becomes Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Mardin.

Behnam Hadloyo is enthroned as the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Mardin in 1412.
On July 24, 1412, Behnam Hadloyo was appointed Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Mardin, assuming spiritual leadership of one of the ancient Eastern Christian communities. His tenure oversaw efforts to preserve liturgical traditions and ecclesiastical autonomy under Mamluk rule. Hadloyo played a key role in strengthening ties among dispersed Syriac communities across the Middle East. He also engaged in theological dialogues to defend the Orthodox faith against external pressures. His leadership contributed to the endurance of Syriac liturgy and heritage during a volatile period. Behnam Hadloyo’s patriarchate is remembered for its emphasis on liturgical scholarship and community resilience.
1412 Behnam Hadloyo Syriac Orthodox
1487day.year

Citizens of Leeuwarden, Netherlands, strike against a ban on foreign beer.

In 1487, Leeuwarden residents protest a ban on imported beer, impacting local trade and taverns.
In 1487, the city of Leeuwarden in the Netherlands witnessed a popular uprising when local authorities prohibited the sale of imported beer. Traders and townspeople, reliant on beer from neighboring regions, rallied in protest against what they saw as an economic and cultural affront. The strike shut down taverns and brewing operations, crippling the city’s social life. Authorities eventually conceded to the demonstrators’ demands and lifted the ban. The episode highlighted the importance of trade freedoms and local customs in late medieval Dutch society. It also demonstrated early forms of collective action to defend consumer rights.
1487 Leeuwarden beer
1534day.year

French explorer Jacques Cartier plants a cross on the Gaspé Peninsula and takes possession of the territory in the name of Francis I of France.

Jacques Cartier claims the Gaspé Peninsula for France by planting a cross in 1534.
On July 24, 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier reached the shores of the Gaspé Peninsula in present-day Quebec during his first voyage. To formalize France’s claim, he erected a twelve-foot wooden cross inscribed with the royal coat of arms of Francis I. This act marked the beginning of French colonial interests in North America and paved the way for future settlements. Cartier’s expedition mapped significant stretches of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, establishing contact with indigenous communities. The symbolic claiming of the territory underscored European imperial ambitions in the New World. Cartier’s planting of the cross became a foundational moment in Canada’s colonial history.
1534 Jacques Cartier Gaspé Peninsula Francis I of France
1567day.year

Mary, Queen of Scots, is forced to abdicate and be replaced by her one-year-old son James VI.

Mary, Queen of Scots abdicates in favor of her infant son James VI following political upheaval in 1567.
On July 24, 1567, Mary, Queen of Scots, was forced to abdicate the Scottish throne after a series of political crises and rebellions. Imprisoned by her nobles, she signed the abdication document naming her one-year-old son James VI as her successor. The young king was crowned at Holyrood Palace under the regency of powerful Protestant lords. Mary’s abdication triggered a long regency period and deepened religious and dynastic conflicts in Scotland. Eventually, she fled to England, where she sought refuge with her cousin Queen Elizabeth I. Mary’s dramatic fall from power became one of the most tumultuous chapters in British royal history.
1567 Mary, Queen of Scots forced to abdicate James VI
1701day.year

Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founds the trading post at Fort Pontchartrain, which later becomes the city of Detroit.

Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac establishes Fort Pontchartrain, the seed of modern Detroit, in 1701.
On July 24, 1701, French officer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded a trading post on the Detroit River, naming it Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit. The post served as a strategic hub for the fur trade and French colonial expansion in the Great Lakes region. Cadillac envisioned the settlement as a center of commerce and a bulwark against British encroachment. Over time, the fort attracted settlers, traders, and allied Native American tribes. The community that grew around it eventually evolved into the city of Detroit. This foundation marked a pivotal moment in the history of North American settlement and Franco-Indigenous relations.
1701 Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac Fort Pontchartrain Detroit
1712day.year

War of the Spanish Succession: The French under Marshal Villars win a decisive victory over Eugene of Savoy at Denain.

Marshal Villars leads French forces to a decisive victory at Denain in 1712.
On July 24, 1712, during the War of the Spanish Succession, French Marshal Claude-Louis-Hector de Villars achieved a stunning triumph over Prince Eugene of Savoy at the Battle of Denain. Villars executed a daring surprise attack on the allied Spanish and Austrian positions, breaking their lines and capturing key supply depots. The victory lifted the siege of Landrecies and shifted momentum in favor of France. It undermined the coalition’s capacity to continue offensive operations and paved the way for peace negotiations. The Battle of Denain is often cited as the turning point that saved France from a potentially disastrous defeat. Villars’ leadership at Denain solidified his reputation as one of France’s greatest military commanders.
1712 War of the Spanish Succession Marshal Villars decisive victory Eugene of Savoy
1847day.year

After 17 months of travel, Brigham Young leads 148 Mormon pioneers into Salt Lake Valley, resulting in the establishment of Salt Lake City.

Brigham Young leads 148 Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley, founding Salt Lake City.
After a 17-month trek across the American West, Brigham Young and a group of 148 Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. Facing arid landscapes and uncertain resources, the settlers were determined to establish a new home where they could practice their faith freely. Young declared the valley safe from persecution, famously uttering "This is the right place" upon surveying the land. The pioneers began building log cabins, planting crops, and laying out a community plan. Their arrival marked the beginning of what would become Salt Lake City, the center of the Mormon faith. Over the following years, the settlement attracted more converts, leading to rapid growth and the establishment of Utah Territory. Today, Salt Lake City stands as a thriving metropolis with deep historical roots in this pivotal moment.
1847 Brigham Young Mormon Salt Lake Valley Salt Lake City
1847day.year

Richard March Hoe, American inventor, patented the rotary-type printing press.

Richard March Hoe patents the rotary printing press, revolutionizing newspaper production.
On July 24, 1847, Richard March Hoe received a patent for his innovative rotary-type printing press. Hoe's design allowed continuous feeding of paper around rotating cylinders, drastically increasing printing speed. This advancement enabled newspapers and periodicals to be printed faster and in larger quantities. The rotary press quickly replaced traditional flatbed presses in major printing houses. It played a crucial role in the expansion of mass media during the 19th century. Publishers could meet the growing public demand for timely news and affordable literature. Hoe's invention laid the groundwork for modern high-speed printing technologies.
Richard March Hoe