November 24: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
From the publication of Charles Darwin's groundbreaking evolutionary theories to the unsolved disappearance of the hijacker D.B. Cooper, November 24 is a day defined by profound shifts in human understanding.
Quick Facts for November 24
- Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
- Day of year: 328
About November 24
One of the most significant intellectual leaps in history occurred on this day in 1859, when Charles Darwin released *On the Origin of Species*. This seminal text fundamentally reshaped our comprehension of the natural world and the biological connections between all living things. While Darwin was changing science, another November 24 would forever change the landscape of American crime lore. In 1971, a man known as D.B. Cooper hijacked a plane and vanished into the night, leaving behind a mystery that remains unsolved to this day.
The day also serves as a bridge between the ancient and the modern. We look back to the era of the Roman Empire with the formal entry of Emperor Theodosius I into Constantinople, and we look forward to the dawn of paleoanthropology through the 1974 discovery of 'Lucy,' the famous *Australopithecus afarensis* skeleton. Whether through the lens of scientific discovery or the shadows of a cold case, November 24 offers a window into the complexities of the human story.
Holidays & Observances on November 24
- Christian feast days: Albert of Louvain
- Christian feast days: Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Pierre Dumoulin-Borie, and other Vietnamese Martyrs
- Christian feast days: Chrysogonus
- Christian feast days: Colmán of Cloyne
- Christian feast days: Eanflæd
- Christian feast days: Firmina
- Christian feast days: Flavian of Ricina
- Christian feast days: Flora and Maria
Fun & National Days on November 24
- Brownielocks Day — Treat yourself to something sweet and celebrate this quirky day of indulgence.
- Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day — Take a moment to show off that special skill that makes you stand out.
- D.B. Cooper Day — Dive into a mystery or enjoy a thrilling detective novel today.
- National Carménère Day — Uncork a delicious bottle of Carménère and toast to the day.
- National Illustration Day (UK) — Grab your pens or digital tablet and create something visually stunning.
- National Sardines Day — Enjoy a tasty snack or a seafood feast featuring these tiny treasures.
- National Use Even If Seal Is Broken Day — Check your pantry for those opened goods and enjoy them today!
On This Day in History
- 380 — Emperor Theodosius I made his ceremonial and formal entry into the city of Constantinople.
- 1190 — Conrad of Montferrat ascended to the throne of Jerusalem following his marriage to Queen Isabella I.
- 1221 — Genghis Khan secured a major victory over the Khwarazmian prince Jalal al-Din at the Battle of the Indus.
- 1642 — European explorer Abel Tasman became the first person from Europe to discover the island of Van Diemen's Land.
- 1835 — The Texas Provincial Government officially authorized the formation of the horse-mounted Texas Rangers police force.
- 1859 — Naturalist Charles Darwin changed science forever with the publication of his work, On the Origin of Species.
- 1877 — The beloved animal welfare novel Black Beauty, written by Anna Sewell, was first released to readers.
- 1932 — The FBI officially inaugurated its Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory to assist in forensic investigations.
- 1969 — The Apollo 12 mission concluded successfully as the command module landed safely in the Pacific Ocean.
- 1971 — A hijacker known as D.B. Cooper escaped with $200,000 after parachuting from a Northwest Orient Airlines flight.
- 1974 — Researchers Donald Johanson and Tom Gray found the famous 'Lucy' skeleton in Ethiopia's Awash Valley.
- 1989 — The resignation of the Czechoslovak Communist Party leadership marked the end of communist rule during the Velvet Revolution.
Famous Birthdays on November 24
- 1632 — Baruch Spinoza, An influential Dutch scholar and philosopher who shaped modern rationalism.
- 1784 — Zachary Taylor, A prominent American general who eventually served as the twelfth U.S. President.
- 1826 — Carlo Collodi, The Italian author famous for writing the classic tale of Pinocchio.
- 1849 — Frances Hodgson Burnett, An acclaimed English-American novelist known for writing classic children's literature.
- 1864 — Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, A legendary French painter celebrated for his iconic illustrations of Parisian nightlife.
- 1868 — Scott Joplin, The renowned American composer and pianist known as the King of Ragtime.
- 1888 — Dale Carnegie, A famous American author and educator specializing in interpersonal skills and success.
- 1961 — Arundhati Roy, An internationally recognized Indian writer and prominent social activist.