August 24

On August 24, 1932, aviator Amelia Earhart landed her Lockheed Vega in Newark, New Jersey, completing a nonstop flight of 2,447 miles from Los Angeles. The 19-hour, 5-minute journey set a new endurance record for women pilots and showcased advances in aircraft reliability. Earhart battled darkness, turbulence, and mechanical challenges while navigating largely by sight and rudimentary instruments. Her achievement captivated the public and inspired greater interest in commercial aviation. As a trailblazer in a male-dominated field, she broke gender barriers and advocated for women’s roles in aeronautics. Earhart’s historic flight cemented her legacy as one of the most celebrated pilots of her era.

Featuring the debut of the Start menu, taskbar, and plug-and-play hardware support, Windows 95 transformed user interaction. It bridged 16-bit and 32-bit architecture, enabling a vast ecosystem of new applications and games. The launch was accompanied by an unprecedented marketing campaign, including a partnership with the Rolling Stones. Windows 95 would sell tens of millions of copies in its first year, setting sales records for software. Its user-friendly interface laid the groundwork for future operating systems and computing trends.

Researchers implanted a radio-frequency identification device under the skin of a volunteer for the first time. The tiny chip could transmit a unique code when scanned, opening possibilities for secure access and medical records. This milestone sparked debate over privacy, ethics, and potential applications in various industries. Subsequent trials expanded into pet tracking, human healthcare, and later digital currency experiments. The 1998 test marked the beginning of emerging biohacking and wearable technology trends.

On August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union convened in Prague to reevaluate the definition of a planet. They introduced three criteria for a celestial body to qualify as a planet: it must orbit the Sun, be spherical due to its own gravity, and have cleared its orbital neighborhood. Pluto failed to meet the third criterion and was reclassified as a dwarf planet. This decision sparked widespread debate and public interest, as Pluto had been considered the ninth planet of the solar system since its discovery in 1930. The redefinition reshaped astronomical textbooks and prompted further discussions about planetary classification in both scientific circles and popular culture.

On August 24, 2016, astronomers from the European Southern Observatory announced the discovery of Proxima Centauri b. The exoplanet orbits within the habitable zone of Proxima Centauri, the star nearest to the Sun. Proxima Centauri b has a minimum mass similar to Earth, raising hopes of potential habitability. This landmark finding marked the closest known exoplanet to our solar system. Follow-up studies were planned to investigate its atmosphere and search for signs of life.

On August 24, 2017, Taiwan's National Space Program Office (NSPO) successfully placed Formosat-5 into orbit. The satellite carries a high-resolution optical camera capable of detailed land observation and environmental monitoring. Formosat-5 represents Taiwan’s first fully domestically developed spacecraft, marking a milestone in its space technology capabilities. The launch was conducted aboard a US-built Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, demonstrating international collaboration. Data from Formosat-5 have been used for disaster assessment, agricultural planning, and climate research, enhancing regional observation capacity. The mission set the stage for Taiwan’s future endeavors in satellite development and space exploration.