Calendar icon showing April 24 for Today in History post

April 24 in History: First Personal Computer Introduced, Hubble Telescope Launched, and Streaming Surpasses Physical Music

Scott Winters April 24, 2026 0 Comments

Discover what happened on April 24 in history, along with notable events that shaped technology, space exploration, and the music industry.

What Happened on April 24 in History?

From the debut of the personal computer to a groundbreaking space mission and a major shift in how we consume music, April 24 highlights moments that transformed modern life.

APRIL 24 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1833 – A patent was granted for first soda fountain.

1889 – The Edison General Electric Company was organized.

1897 – William Price became the first to be named White House news reporter.

1941 – Detroit Tank sent their first unit to the U.S. Army. By the end of World War II, the plant had built 22,000 tanks.

1953 – Winston Churchill was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

1959 – Air Force Captain John S. Lappo, of Muskegon, MI, flew a state of the art Boeing B-47 jet underneath the Mackinac Bridge.

1961 – Sandy Koufax, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, struck out 18 batters becoming the first major-league pitcher to do so on two different occasions.

1961 – President John F. Kennedy accepted “sole responsibility” following Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba.

1962 – MIT sent a TV signal by satellite for the first time.

1973 – Albert Sabin reported that herpes viruses were factors in nine kinds of cancer.

1981 – IBM introduced the first personal computer.

1990 – The Space Shuttle Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral, FL. It was carrying the $1.5 billion Hubble Space Telescope.

1996 – Margot Kidder was placed in a psychiatric ward after being found dirty, dazed, and fearful in a stranger’s backyard in Glendale, CA.

1998 – ABC confirmed that it was canceling “Ellen”, the first TV series to feature an openly gay lead character.

2005 – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was inaugurated as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church taking the name Pope Benedict XVI.

2007 – Sheryl Crow called for a ban on using too much toilet paper in order to help the environment. The singer suggested using “only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two or three could be required”.

2018 – Streaming music services overtook worldwide sales of CDs and vinyl records for the first time.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON APRIL 24:

Marilyn Erskine – 100 years old (1926) – Actress

Shirley MacLaine – 92 years old (1934) – Actress, singer, and dancer

Richard M. Daley – 84 years old (1942) – Lawyer and politician, 54th Mayor of Chicago

Barbra Streisand – 84 years old (1942) – Singer, actress, activist, and producer

Richard Sterban – 83 years old (1943) – Country and gospel bass singer

Tony Visconti – 82 years old (1944) – Record producer, musician and singer

Doug Clifford – 81 years old (1945) – Drummer and songwriter

Roger D. Kornberg – 79 years old (1947) – Biochemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate

Eliana Gil – 78 years old (1948) – Ecuadorian-American psychiatrist, therapist, and author

Eddie Hart – 77 years old (1949) – Sprinter

Rob Hyman – 76 years old (1950) – Singer-songwriter and musician

Ralph Winter – 74 years old (1952) – Film producer

Eric Bogosian – 73 years old (1953) – Actor and writer

Mumia Abu-Jamal – 72 years old (1954) – Journalist, activist, and convicted murderer

Jack Blades – 72 years old (1954) – Singer-songwriter and bass player

Michael O'Keefe – 71 years old (1955) – Actor

James A. Winnefeld – 70 years old (1956) – Jr. , American admiral

Paula Frazer – 63 years old (1963) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Billy Gould – 63 years old (1963) – Bass player, songwriter, and producer

Cedric the Entertainer – 62 years old (1964) – Comedian, actor, and producer

Djimon Hounsou – 62 years old (1964) – Beninese-American actor and producer

Omar Vizquel – 59 years old (1967) – Venezuelan-American baseball player and coach

Todd Jones – 58 years old (1968) – Baseball player

Chipper Jones – 54 years old (1972) – Baseball player

Damon Lindelof – 53 years old (1973) – Screenwriter and producer

Brian Marshall – 53 years old (1973) – Bass player and songwriter

Eric Snow – 53 years old (1973) – Basketball player and coach

Eric Kripke – 52 years old (1974) – Director, producer, and screenwriter

Carlos Beltrán – 49 years old (1977) – Puerto Rican-American baseball player

Taylor Dent – 45 years old (1981) – Tennis player

Kelly Clarkson – 44 years old (1982) – Singer-songwriter, talk show host

David Oliver – 44 years old (1982) – Hurdler

Mike Rodgers – 41 years old (1985) – Sprinter

Aaron Cunningham – 40 years old (1986) – Baseball player

David Boudia – 37 years old (1989) – Diver

Joe Keery – 34 years old (1992) – Actor

Jack Quaid – 34 years old (1992) – Actor

Jordan Fisher – 32 years old (1994) – Singer, dancer, and actor

Kehlani – 31 years old (1995) – Singer-songwriter

Ryan Newman – 28 years old (1998) – Actress

Jerry Jeudy – 27 years old (1999) – Football player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR APRIL 24:

Scream Day: Self care is important, but it doesn’t always mean good-smelling candles, bubble baths, and meditation. Sometimes you just need the catharsis of a good scream.
American Quilters Society Week: American Quilters Society Week spotlights the art of quilting. This special week celebrates the creativity and skill of quilters, individuals who dedicate themselves to the craft of making beautiful, intricate quilts. Quilting requires an eye for color and design, patience, precision in sewing, and a flair for creativity. The week...
National Pig in a Blanket Day: Sausage or hot dog, wrapped in dough, cooked to perfect, this popular finger food can be found everywhere from weddings to children’s birthday parties.
National Hairball Awareness Day: Cats get hairballs…right? Yes, and no. For many cats, the occasional hairball is normal and healthy, but be aware of signs that these hairballs might be harming them.
World Day For Animals In Laboratories: In a year, there is one day—the World Day for Animals in Laboratories—when due tribute is paid and action is initiated on behalf of the millions of animals used for testing and experiments in laboratories across the world. That day should raise awareness, reflect on the ethical implications of animal...
New Kids on the Block Day: If you were born in Generation X or early Millennials, you probably remember the excitement around New Kids on the Block! This iconic boy band dominated the music scene with their catchy hits and energetic performances. Their influence was so significant that they even had a special day dedicated to celebrating...
National Pet Care for All Day: National Pet Care for All Day is all about making sure every pet gets the care it needs—no matter who owns it. It puts the spotlight on folks who love their pets deeply but can’t always afford vet visits, food, or even grooming. For them, small things like flea medicine or...
National Arbor Day: Transform bare lands into lush forests and create a greener world for future generations. Plant a tree, nourish it, and watch it grow!
International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace: The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is a significant day celebrated worldwide to mark the commitment to the principles of peaceful conflict resolution and the importance of multilateral decision-making and diplomacy. How to Celebrate Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace Day Celebrating the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy...
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
National Historic Marker Day: According to the historic marker database, there are more than 219,000 historic markers scattered across the cities and rural areas, along the larger highways and country roads of the United States – with thousands more in Canada. Despite how important they are to local and national culture, many historical markers don’t...
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day: Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering the tragic events that took place over a century ago. On this day, communities around the world honor the memory of those who lost their lives. It’s a time of reflection and acknowledgment of the suffering endured by countless...
National Bucket List Day: Everyone has dreams—big or small—that they hope to experience one day. National Bucket List Day is a reminder to stop waiting and start doing. It’s about more than just grand adventures or far-off travels. Even small goals, like trying a new hobby or reconnecting with an old friend, count. This...
Fashion Revolution Day: Fashion Revolution Day sparks a bold question: Who made your clothes? This global movement invites everyone to look deeper into their wardrobes. It challenges the idea that fashion is just about style. Instead, it highlights the hidden stories behind each garment. From the cotton fields to the sewing machines, countless...
World Women’s Wellness Day: World Women’s Wellness Day invites every woman to pause, breathe, and lean into her own care. It feels like a friend gently saying, “Take a moment for you.” Across the globe, this day sparks simple acts that nourish body and mind—light exercise, deep breaths, healthy bites, a chat with loved...
Firefly Day: Though it only had one season, Firefly quickly grew a cult following of geeks and sci-fi lovers. The iconic space opera has remained popular for over 20 years.
Help Animals Day: Supporting vulnerable creatures, lending a hand to those in need, creating a haven for the voiceless and defenseless.
National Pediatric Transplant Week: Each year, thousands of children across the world benefit from the life-saving medical intervention that comes through organ donation. But the list of those in need of organ donors is long and these younger patients often have to wait for a great deal of time for matches because of complex...
Coin Week: Begin or grow your coin collection, learn about how countries’ mints reflect their history, or join a coin club or even local competition during Coin Week.
Global Youth Service Days: Global Youth Service Day gathers young people worldwide to roll up their sleeves and help their communities. It brings together schools, youth groups, and nonprofits to tackle local challenges. Young volunteers work on clean-ups, build things, pack food, or support neighbors in need. This event shows how loud youth voices...
Lesbian Visibility Week: To build awareness, create safe and healthy work environments, ‘normalize’ relationships, and allow lesbian voices to be heard, Lesbian Visibility Week provides various opportunities to build a society of inclusion. This event works to promote LGBTQIA women along with non-binary people in every field, from every generation, to every country...
National Princess Week: When you think of a princess, images of elegance, courage, and kindness come to mind. National Princess Week celebrates these traits, inviting everyone to embrace their inner royalty. This special week, started by Julie Andrews, Disney, and Target, is a chance to enjoy the magic and charm associated with princesses...
Cleaning for a Reason Week: Cleaning for a Reason Week is a special time when cleaning companies, donors, and communities come together to support people going through cancer treatment. During this week, the goal is to bring in more cleaning partners, raise money, and help more households with free cleaning services. Volunteers and professional cleaners pitch...
Feet Week: Happy feet make a happy person. Proper foot care involves regular washing, trimming nails, wearing comfortable shoes, and keeping them dry. Treat your feet well and they will take you places!
National Volunteer Week: Contributing time and effort, volunteering fosters positive change, enriching lives, and creating a ripple of goodwill in communities.
Administrative Professionals Week: In offices around the globe, desks become stages of gratitude during Administrative Professionals Week. Teams come together, celebrating those who keep the gears turning. Imagine the scene: colorful bouquets and heartfelt notes replace reports and spreadsheets. Managers pause meetings to say "thank you," acknowledging the often unseen dedication of their...
National Park Week: Say hello to beautiful plants, native wildlife, natural landscapes, and unique terrains because it’s time to celebrate and enjoy National Park Week! History of National Park Week The first National Park Week was celebrated in 1991 when it was declared by US President George H.W. Bush to honor the 75th anniversary...
Every Kid Healthy Week: Nurturing vibrant habits, fostering active play, and embracing wholesome choices, helping children discover the joy of balanced living.
Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week: Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week is observed annually to shed light on the undeniable connection between abusing animals and harming humans. This observance week creates awareness of the need to understand the intersectional nature of these issues and for societal change to end the cruelty. It also promotes education...
Global Days of Action on Military Spending: The Global Days of Action on Military Spending is a lively global campaign that invites people everywhere to rethink how public funds are used. It urges governments to shift resources from arms to real security, like health, education, and clean energy. When new military spending data arrives, advocates use the moment...
National Sky Awareness Week: Humans go through life each day looking at the buildings, cars, computer screens, and other people around them, but it seems like a rare event that they will spend time being aware of the sky. National Sky Awareness Week seeks to remind people of all ages that there is something interesting...
National Work Zone Awareness Week: Warmer weather in the spring is a sign of beautiful things like green grass, lovely flowers and – road construction?! Okay. So, maybe road construction isn’t everyone’s favorite thing. But it is an important job that keeps the highways and roads up to date so everyone can get where they need...
Fiddlers Frolics: Fiddlers Frolics is a lively event held in Hallettsville, Texas, celebrating the art of fiddling. Musicians of all ages gather for three days to showcase their skills in a spirited competition. The event draws nearly 100 participants and features various performances, workshops, and jam sessions. The highlight is the Texas State...
Health Information Professionals Week: Health Information Professionals Week is a celebration that honors the vital role of health information professionals in healthcare. These professionals ensure that patient data is accurate, secure, and accessible, supporting quality care and efficient healthcare operations. They work behind the scenes, managing patient records and data systems, which are crucial for...
International Wildlife Film Week: International Wildlife Film Week pulls you into the heart of nature, without leaving your seat. For eight days, animals leap, crawl, swim, and soar across the screen. These films don’t just look beautiful; they tell real, gripping stories. You see a mother elephant trying to find water for her calf. Or...
American Camp Week: American Camp Week, celebrated annually from April 24 to April 30, sparks excitement among camp enthusiasts across the United States. This week highlights the joys and benefits of camping, a beloved outdoor activity that has long been a part of American culture. It's a time when both kids and adults...
Texas Sandfest: Texas SandFest is a lively beach festival in Port Aransas featuring massive, intricate sand sculptures. Artists from around the world come to shape huge creations from native sand, transforming the shore into a live outdoor gallery. Visitors wander among towering sculptures while upbeat music drifts in from nearby stages. Family-friendly...