This Day In History : January 24

1986 United States

Voyager 2 Makes First Fly-by of Uranus

On January 24, 1986, Voyager 2 makes its first fly-by of Uranus at a distance of 81,593 kilometers (approximately 50,600 miles). During this historic mission, Voyager 2 discovers several new moons orbiting Uranus, expanding our understanding of the planet's satellite system and the outer solar system.

Also on This Day in History January 24

Discover what happened on January 24 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, January 24
  • 1931 Lars V. Hörmander

    Swedish mathematician who was awarded the Fields Medal in 1962 for his work on partial differential equations.

  • 1888 Ernst Heinrich Heinkel

    German aircraft engineer who built the first rocket-powered aircraft.

  • 1882 Harold Delos Babcock

    American astronomer who with his son, Horace, invented the solar magnetograph (1951), for detailed observation of the Sun's magnetic field.

  • 1872 Morris William Travers

    English chemist who, while working with Sir William Ramsay in London, discovered the element krypton (30 May 1898).

  • 1847 Joseph-Achille Le Bel

    French chemist who was the first to present a theory on the relationship between molecules and how they absorb or reflect light.

Deaths on This Day, January 24
  • 2016 Marvin Minsky

    American biochemist and the founder of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Project.

  • 1860 James Pollard Espy

    American meteorologist who was one of the first to collect meteorological observations by telegraph.

  • 1957 Paul Walden

    Paul Walden was a Latvian chemist who, while teaching at Riga, discovered the Walden inversion, a reversal of stereochemical configuration that occurs in many reactions of covalent compounds (1896).

  • 2006 Nicholas Shackleton

    English geologist and paleoclimatologist who helped identify carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.

  • 1915 Arthur von Auwers

    He was a German astronomer known for his life's work making extremely accurate catalogs of stellar positions and motions.

1848

California Gold Rush Begins as James W. Marshall Discovers Gold at Sutter's Mill

On January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovers gold at Sutter's Mill near Sacramento, sparking the California Gold Rush. This event triggers a massive influx of fortune seekers from around the world, fundamentally altering California's history and economy.
1990

Japan Launches Its First Lunar Probe on January 24, 1990

On January 24, 1990, Japan successfully launches its first lunar probe, advancing the country's space exploration capabilities. This mission aims to study and explore the Moon's surface, contributing valuable data to global lunar research.
1984

First Apple Macintosh Goes on Sale in 1984

On January 24, 1984, the first Apple Macintosh computer goes on sale, revolutionizing personal computing with its graphical user interface and iconic design. This landmark product launch marks a significant moment in technology history, setting the stage for Apple's future innovations in computing.
1946

United Nations General Assembly Passes First Resolution

On January 24, 1946, the United Nations General Assembly passes its inaugural resolution, marking a pivotal moment in international diplomacy and cooperation. This resolution sets a precedent for addressing global issues through multilateral dialogue and collective action among member states.
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