Skipping Day
National Skipping Day is on April 24th. This day is observed to raise awareness about the health benefits of skipping and encourage people to incorporate skipping into their fitness routines. It’s a day to celebrate skipping as a fun and effective form of exercise.
Pigs in a Blanket Day
National Pigs in a Blanket Day is celebrated annually on April 24th in the United States. It’s a fun and lighthearted food holiday dedicated to the popular comfort snack known as “pigs in a blanket”—typically small sausages or hot dogs wrapped in dough (such as biscuit, pancake, or crescent roll dough) and baked until golden. Origins of the dish: Versions of pigs in a blanket date back centuries and can be found in many cultures under different names.
New Kids on the Block Day
New Kids on the Block Day is celebrated annually on April 24 to honor the iconic boy band that helped define pop music in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The day was officially declared in 1989 by Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, recognizing the group’s cultural impact and their Boston roots. Formed in Boston in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr, the group consists of Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, and Danny Wood. Their breakthrough came with the 1988 album Hangin’ Tough, which produced multiple top 10 hits and propelled them to international stardom.
April 24th has witnessed numerous significant events, notable births, and impactful deaths throughout history.
Historical Events
1800 – The Library of Congress was established in the United States.
1915 – The Armenian Genocide began, as Ottoman authorities arrested and later executed hundreds of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople.
1953 – Winston Churchill was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
1967 – Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov died in the Soyuz 1 crash, becoming the first human to die during a spaceflight.
1990 – The Hubble Space Telescope was launched into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31).
2005 – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was inaugurated as Pope Benedict XVI.
Famous Birthdays
1731 – Daniel Defoe (b. 1660): English writer, journalist, and spy, best known for his novel Robinson Crusoe, which is considered one of the first English novels.
1942 – Lucy Maud Montgomery (b. 1874): Canadian author of the beloved Anne of Green Gables series.
1967 – Vladimir Komarov (b. 1927): Soviet cosmonaut and aerospace engineer, tragically died when the Soyuz 1 spacecraft crashed upon re-entry, becoming the first person to die during a space mission.
1991 – Dr. Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (b. 1900): The first Prime Minister of Mauritius and a key figure in the country’s independence movement.
2005 – Ezer Weizman (b. 1924): Israeli Air Force commander, defense minister, and seventh President of Israel.
2014 – Hans Hollein (b. 1934): Influential Austrian architect and Pritzker Prize laureate.
Notable Deaths
1731 – Daniel Defoe: English writer and journalist, best known for his novel Robinson Crusoe. He was a key figure in the early development of the English novel.
1800 – William Cowper: English poet and hymnodist, known for his religious verse and influence on the Romantic poets. His works often dealt with themes of nature and introspection.
1942 – Lucy Maud Montgomery: Canadian author of the beloved Anne of Green Gables series. Her novels remain a staple of Canadian literature and children’s fiction worldwide.
1965 – Louise van den Plas: Belgian suffragist and women’s rights activist. She played a pivotal role in advancing women’s rights in Belgium.
1997 – Pat Paulsen: American comedian and satirist, known for his mock presidential campaigns and work on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
2004 – Estée Lauder: American businesswoman and co-founder of the Estée Lauder cosmetics company. She was a trailblazer in the beauty industry.
2016 – Billy Paul: American soul singer, best known for his hit song Me and Mrs. Jones. He was a significant voice in the 1970s Philadelphia soul movement.
