In History, Today on October 24

Rishi Sunak becomes the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the first person of Indian descent to hold the office.

The United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is ratified by the 50th country, allowing it to enter into force in January 2021.

The first all-female spacewalk is conducted by NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir, marking a milestone in space exploration.

Jacinda Ardern was officially sworn in as the Prime Minister of New Zealand, becoming the youngest female head of government in the world at the time.

The World Health Organization declares Nigeria free of Ebola virus transmission after a successful containment effort.

The European Parliament rejected sweeping budget cuts proposed by European governments in a bout over stricter austerity measures amidst the Eurozone crisis.

The United Nations announces that the world population has reached 7 billion, highlighting challenges related to sustainability and resource distribution.

Bloody Friday occurs as many of the world's stock exchanges experience the worst declines in their histories, marking a significant point in the global financial crisis.

Hurricane Wilma makes landfall in Florida, causing widespread damage and becoming one of the most intense hurricanes in the Atlantic basin.

The Concorde makes its last commercial flight, ending an era of supersonic passenger travel.

The Toronto Blue Jays become the first Major League Baseball team based outside the United States to win the World Series, defeating the Atlanta Braves.

The Yom Kippur War ended with a ceasefire between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria, following intense diplomatic efforts by the United States and the Soviet Union.

Salvador Allende of the Popular Unity party is elected the first Marxist President of Chile, marking a shift in Chilean politics.

Northern Rhodesia gains independence from the United Kingdom and becomes the Republic of Zambia.

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which later evolved into the World Trade Organization (WTO), was signed by 23 nations to promote international trade by reducing or eliminating trade barriers such as tariffs or quotas.

A camera on board the V-2 No. 13 rocket took the first photograph of Earth from outer space.

The United Nations officially came into existence when its charter was ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council and the majority of other signatories.

George Washington Bridge was opened to the public, connecting New York City with Fort Lee, New Jersey, across the Hudson River.

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 began, marking the start of the Great Depression. Known as Black Thursday, it saw a massive sell-off of shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

Rev. Ezekiel Samuel Kondo was consecrated as the first native African bishop of the Anglican Church in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

The first transcontinental telegraph message was sent successfully, marking a significant milestone in communication technology in the United States.

The world's first soccer club, Sheffield F.C., was founded in Sheffield, England.

William Lassell discovered Ariel and Umbriel, two moons of Uranus.

The Báb, central figure in Babism, and a fore-runner to the Baháʼí Faith, claimed his revelation, culminating in the movement's most intense period of development.

At the Battle of Leipzig, also known as the Battle of Nations, Napoleon's forces began a retreat after their defeat, which marked a turning point in the War of the Sixth Coalition.

In the War of 1812, the Battle of Frenchtown took place. American forces engaged with British and Native American troops near what is today Monroe, Michigan, resulting in a significant defeat for the American side.

The Third Partition of Poland is completed with a treaty signed between Russia, Prussia, and Austria, effectively erasing Poland from the map until 1918.

The Peace of Westphalia was signed, ending the Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic. This series of treaties marked the beginning of the modern state system in Europe.

In Switzerland, the Second War of Kappel ended with the Treaty of Kappel. It concluded with the Catholics defeating the Protestant forces led by the city of Zurich. The Peace of Kappel confirmed the religious territorial division between the Catholic and Protestant cantons, allowing each canton to choose its own religion.

The Treaty of Brétigny is ratified, marking a significant phase in the Hundred Years' War, leading to a temporary peace between England and France.

The Chartres Cathedral, a key example of High Gothic architecture, is consecrated.

The Second Battle of Bedriacum took place, where the forces of Vespasian defeated the army of Emperor Vitellius, leading to Vespasian's rise to power as Roman Emperor.