In History, Today on January 24

Larry Nassar, former USA Gymnastics national team doctor, was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing young female athletes, a case that led to widespread scrutiny of abuse in sports organizations.

Thailand declared a state of emergency in response to ongoing political protests. Demonstrations were aimed at ousting Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra amidst allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

A suicide bombing at Domodedovo International Airport in Moscow killed 37 people and injured over 180, highlighting ongoing security challenges in Russia.

The Icelandic government and banking system collapsed as a result of the global financial crisis, leading to International Monetary Fund intervention and significant domestic protests.

The Walt Disney Company announced its acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios for approximately $7.4 billion in an all-stock deal, enhancing its animation capabilities and leading to a series of successful animated films.

NASA's Opportunity rover landed on Mars as part of the Mars Exploration Rover mission, beginning its mission to explore the Martian surface and geology.

The United States Department of Homeland Security officially began operations, consolidating 22 different federal departments and agencies into a single entity focused on protecting the United States from terrorist attacks and responding to natural disasters.

The Voyager 2 spacecraft made its closest approach to Uranus, providing the first detailed images of the planet and its moons.

The first Apple Macintosh computer was introduced during a Super Bowl commercial, revolutionizing personal computing.

Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi was discovered in Guam, having spent 28 years hiding in the jungle, unaware that World War II had ended.

A B-52 bomber carrying two nuclear bombs crashed near Goldsboro, North Carolina, narrowly avoiding a nuclear disaster.

The Battle of Makassar Strait occurs during World War II, involving a naval engagement between the Allies and Japan.

The Krueger gold swindle, a significant financial scandal involving Ivar Kreuger, begins to unravel.

The Russian city of Petrograd was renamed Leningrad in honor of Lenin.

In Browning, Montana, the temperature dropped from 44°F to -56°F in 24 hours, the greatest temperature drop ever recorded in the United States.

The first Boy Scout troop was organized in England by Robert Baden-Powell.

The Opel factory in Rüsselsheim, Germany, began automobiling production, marking the company's transition from bicycle manufacturing to automobile production.

Bucharest was proclaimed the capital of Romania.

The University of Calcutta, the first fully-fledged university in South Asia, was established in Calcutta, British India.

James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, leading to the California Gold Rush.

Charles VII Albert becomes Holy Roman Emperor, exemplifying the challenges to Habsburg domination and marking a moment of significant political realignment in Europe.

King Charles II of England dissolves the Cavalier Parliament after 18 years of rule, marking a significant event in the political history of England.

The Long Parliament in England formally executes Royalist commander William Laud, the Archbishop of Canterbury, signaling a significant power struggle during the English Civil War.

Matthias Corvinus is elected King of Hungary by the Diet of Hungary.

The Council of Basel suspended Pope Eugene IV.

In China, Zhu Yuanzhang ascends the throne of the Ming Dynasty as the Hongwu Emperor.

King Charles IV of France dies without a male heir, leading to a succession crisis.

Pope Gelasius II is elected as the 161st pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

The future Roman Emperor Hadrian was born. He would later become known for building Hadrian's Wall in Britain and for his extensive travels throughout the Roman Empire.

Roman Emperor Caligula was assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard, led by Cassius Chaerea, marking the end of his erratic and controversial reign that started in 37 AD.