July 24

Events - Politics & Government

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
1866day.year

Reconstruction: Tennessee becomes the first U.S. state to be readmitted to Congress following the American Civil War.

Tennessee becomes the first former Confederate state readmitted to the U.S. Congress during Reconstruction.
On July 24, 1866, Tennessee was officially readmitted to the United States Congress after meeting conditions of Reconstruction. It was the first state to regain representation following the Civil War. The move signaled a cautious step toward national reunification and healing. Tennessee's return reflected its relative compliance with federal requirements, including a new state constitution abolishing slavery. Its early readmission influenced Reconstruction policies for other Southern states. Republican legislators and Unionists in Tennessee played key roles in advancing civil rights measures. Despite progress, tensions over political power and racial equality persisted in the state and the broader South.
1866 Reconstruction Tennessee U.S. state
1922day.year

The draft of the British Mandate of Palestine was formally confirmed by the Council of the League of Nations; it came into effect on 26 September 1923.

The League of Nations formally confirms the British Mandate for Palestine, shaping the region's post–World War I governance.
On July 24, 1922, the League of Nations Council approved the terms of the British Mandate for Palestine. The mandate outlined Britain's administrative responsibilities over the former Ottoman territory. It aimed to implement the Balfour Declaration's commitment to establishing a Jewish national home. The document set legal and political frameworks for governance, immigration, and land settlement. It came into effect on September 26, 1923, shaping the region's modern history. The mandate fueled competing nationalist aspirations among Jewish and Arab populations. Debates over its interpretation contributed to prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
1922 British Mandate of Palestine Council of the League of Nations
1923day.year

The Treaty of Lausanne, settling the boundaries of modern Turkey, is signed in Switzerland by Greece, Bulgaria and other countries that fought in World War I.

Representatives sign the Treaty of Lausanne, establishing the borders of modern Turkey.
On July 24, 1923, the Treaty of Lausanne was signed in Switzerland, marking the end of hostilities between Turkey and Allied powers. The agreement recognized the sovereignty of the Republic of Turkey and set its international boundaries. It replaced the earlier Treaty of Sèvres, which had imposed harsher terms on the Ottoman Empire. Lausanne resolved issues pertaining to territorial adjustments, minority rights, and the control of the Straits. The treaty's ratification allowed Turkey to gain global recognition and stability. It laid the foundations for modern Turkish governance and nationhood. Today, Lausanne remains a cornerstone of Turkey's diplomatic history.
1923 Treaty of Lausanne Bulgaria World War I
1924day.year

Themistoklis Sofoulis becomes Prime Minister of Greece.

Themistoklis Sofoulis took office as Prime Minister of Greece in 1924, marking his first term at the nation's helm.
Themistoklis Sofoulis, a veteran leader of the Liberal Party, assumed office as Prime Minister of Greece in 1924. He took charge during a period of political turmoil and economic uncertainty following World War I. Sofoulis focused on land reforms and fiscal policies to stabilize the national economy. He worked to strengthen democratic institutions and foster national reconciliation. His diplomatic efforts aimed to improve relations with neighboring Balkan states. Though his first term was brief, he later served multiple terms and became a symbol of Greek parliamentary politics.
1924 Themistoklis Sofoulis Prime Minister of Greece
1929day.year

The Kellogg–Briand Pact, renouncing war as an instrument of foreign policy, goes into effect (it is first signed in Paris on August 27, 1928, by most leading world powers).

The Kellogg–Briand Pact came into force in 1929, marking a multinational commitment to renounce war as policy.
The Kellogg–Briand Pact, originally signed in Paris on August 27, 1928, took effect on July 24, 1929, after ratification by major world powers. Also known as the Pact of Paris, it was designed to renounce war as an instrument of national policy and promote peaceful conflict resolution. Fifteen signatory nations, including the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, sought to codify a new era of diplomacy. Despite its lofty ideals, the treaty lacked enforcement measures and did not prevent future aggression in the 1930s. Nevertheless, it established the precedent that wars of aggression were illegal under international law and influenced the Charter of the United Nations.
1929 Kellogg–Briand Pact foreign policy
1959day.year

At the opening of the American National Exhibition in Moscow, U.S. vice president Richard Nixon and Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev have a "Kitchen Debate".

The famous 'Kitchen Debate' took place between Nixon and Khrushchev at the 1959 U.S. National Exhibition in Moscow.
During a tour of the American National Exhibition in Moscow, U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev engaged in an impromptu exchange in a model American kitchen. The debate lasted around 30 minutes and covered the merits of capitalism versus socialism, consumer goods, and technological progress. Their spirited but cordial discussion was widely publicized and symbolized the ideological rivalry of the Cold War. The 'Kitchen Debate' highlighted the importance of public diplomacy and showcased how everyday products became weapons in superpower competition. It remains an iconic moment illustrating how domestic consumer culture was leveraged in international relations.
1959 American National Exhibition U.S. vice president Richard Nixon Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
1967day.year

During an official state visit to Canada, French President Charles de Gaulle declares to a crowd of over 100,000 in Montreal: Vive le Québec libre! ("Long live free Quebec!"); the statement angered the Canadian government and many Anglophone Canadians.

During a state visit to Canada, President Charles de Gaulle proclaimed 'Vive le Québec libre!' before a massive crowd in Montreal.
On July 24, 1967, French President Charles de Gaulle surprised Canadians by declaring 'Vive le Québec libre!' from Montreal's City Hall balcony. His statement, supporting Quebec nationalism, resonated with French-speaking Quebecers but angered the Canadian federal government and English-speaking citizens. De Gaulle's proclamation fueled tensions over Quebec's place in Canada and invigorated the separatist movement. The controversial remark strained Franco-Canadian diplomatic relations and prompted Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson to request an apology. Despite the fallout, the phrase became emblematic of Quebec's quest for greater autonomy and cultural identity.
1967 Charles de Gaulle Montreal Vive le Québec libre Anglophone Canadians
1974day.year

Watergate scandal: The United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled that President Richard Nixon did not have the authority to withhold subpoenaed White House tapes and they order him to surrender the tapes to the Watergate special prosecutor.

On July 24, 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that President Richard Nixon must surrender his White House tapes to the Watergate special prosecutor.
The Supreme Court delivered a landmark decision in United States v. Nixon, ruling 8-0 that no person, not even the President, is above the law. The justices ordered Richard Nixon to comply with a subpoena from the Watergate special prosecutor and relinquish recorded White House tapes. This pivotal ruling eroded Nixon's ability to conceal incriminating evidence and intensified calls for his resignation. It underscored the principle of executive accountability and reinforced judicial checks on presidential power. Following the decision, the tapes revealed damaging conversations that led to impeachment proceedings. Nixon announced his resignation less than a month later, reshaping the modern American political landscape. The case remains a cornerstone of constitutional law and separation of powers jurisprudence.
1974 Watergate scandal United States Supreme Court President Richard Nixon White House order him
2019day.year

Boris Johnson becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after defeating Jeremy Hunt in a leadership contest, succeeding Theresa May.

On July 24, 2019, Boris Johnson became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, succeeding Theresa May.
After a contested leadership race within the Conservative Party, Boris Johnson was appointed Prime Minister on July 24, 2019. He campaigned on delivering Brexit by October 31 and pledged to unify the country. Johnson defeated Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in the final party ballot. His appointment marked a new chapter in the Brexit saga that had stalled under Theresa May. The new government immediately set plans to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement with the European Union. Johnson’s tenure would become one of the most consequential periods in modern British politics.
2019 Boris Johnson Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Jeremy Hunt leadership contest Theresa May