1848 – The California Gold Rush started on the 24th January 1848 when James W. Marshall found gold at Sutter’s Mill near Sacramento.

1857 – The University of Calcutta was formally founded as the 1st fully-fledged university in south Asia on the 24th January 1857.

1862 – Bucharest was proclaimed capital of Romania on the 24th January 1862.

1908 – The 1st Boy Scout troop was organized in England on the 24th January 1908 by Robert Baden-Powell.

1939 – The deadliest earthquake in Chilean history hit Chillán on the 24th January 1939.

1941 – Neil Diamond the American singer-songwriter and guitarist was born on the 24th January 1941.

1941 – Aaron Neville the American singer from the Neville Brothers was born on the 24th January 1941.

1943 – Sharon Tate the American actress was born on the 24th January 1943 (d. 1969).

1949 – John Belushi the American actor was born on the 24th January 1949 (d. 1982).

1961 – Nastassja Kinski the German-American actress was born on the 24th January 1961.

1974 ~ Melissa Tkautz the Australian actress, singer-songwriter and model was born on the 24th January 1974. Melissa Tkautz’s official website: www.MelissaTkautz.net | Melissa Tkautz Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MelissaTkautz | Twitter verified: www.twitter.com/Melissa_Tkautz  | iTunes | YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/MelissaTkautz | YouTube video: “Melissa Tkautz – The Hits & More” Promo 2012…

1979 – Nik Wallenda American acrobat and daredevil was born on the 24th January 1979.

1984 – The 1st Apple Macintosh went on sale on the 24th January 1984.

1986 – Mischa Barton, English-American actress was born on the 24th January 1986.

1986 – Voyager 2 passed within 81,500 kilometres (50,600 mi) of Uranus on the 24th January 1986.

Today in History for the 24th January video produced by Associated Press

 Associated Press official website: www.AP.org