The Shaanxi earthquake, believed to be the deadliest earthquake ever recorded, strikes China's Shaanxi and neighboring Shanxi province on January 23, 1556, killing or injuring and estimated 830,000 people. Although the quake lasted only seconds, it leveled mountains, altered the path of rivers, ignited fires that burned for days and caused massive flooding.
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On This Day in History: January 24
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on January 24th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in California by James W. Marshall as he sees shining flecks of gold in the tailrace of the sawmill he was building in partnership with John Sutter.
The discovery unleashed the California Gold Rush and changed the course of California's and the nation's history. The migration rapidly transformed the region, boosting the U.S. economy, accelerating California's statehood, and making San Francisco a major city. The gold rush also caused displacement and harsh conditions for Native Americans. On December 5, 1848, President James K. Polk officially confirmed the discovery of gold during his annual address to Congress, this official confirmation ignited "gold fever" across the nation, leading to the massive migration in 1849. More
Japanese Army Sergeant Shoichi Yokoi is discovered by local farmers on Guam. Yokoi, who fought in World War II. He had been hiding in the jungle for almost 28 years.
The return of the American forces to Guam and the bloody battle for possession of the island, created a breakdown of the Japanese command on Guam and soldiers like Yokoi were left to fend for themselves and told “to prefer death to the disgrace of getting captured alive”. More
Apple Computer Inc. unveils its Macintosh personal computer on January 24, 1984 at Apple's annual shareholder meeting. The computer had a built-in 9-inch screen and 128KB RAM, featuring a mouse, graphical user interface, and an integrated design, helping to make personal computing accessible and user-friendly for the average person.
The six-wheeled robotic rover, Opportunity, lands on Mars on Jan. 24, 2004. Launched in mid 2003 it went on to analyze Mars soil and rocks and relay pictures back to earth. It remained active on Mars from 2004 until 2018. Its twin rover, Spirit, had landed on Jan 3, 2004. More