In 1980, Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest and most industrialised city, faced the largest strike by migrant municipal workers. More than 10 000 African municipal workers participated in the walkout. Image: Wikimedia Commons
On This Day in South Africa: What happened on 24 July?
We look back on this day in world and South African history, remembering the people and events that shaped the world we live in today.
In 1980, Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest and most industrialised city, faced the largest strike by migrant municipal workers. More than 10 000 African municipal workers participated in the walkout. Image: Wikimedia Commons
Look at what happened on this day, 24 July in history. From various achievements and milestones throughout human history to groundbreaking inventions and events that shaped the world we live in today.
Here is a look at some of the most notable events that happened on this day
ON THIS DAY: 24 JULY
1980 | Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest and most industrialised city, faced the largest strike by migrant municipal workers. More than 10 000 African municipal workers participated in the walkout.
2001 | Fourteen Tamil Tiger commandos carried out the attack on the Bandaranaike Airport. 15 aircraft were damaged, and 11 military and civilian aircraft were destroyed. Seven Sri Lanka Air Force men died, while all 14 commandos were gunned down. Three civilians and an engineer also died.
2009 | At Mashhad International Airport, Aria Flight 1525 crashed, leaving 16 people dead.
2012 | Syrian Civil War: Girkê Legê was taken by the People’s Protection Units (YPG).
2019 | Boris Johnson succeeded Theresa May as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after defeating Jeremy Hunt in a leadership race.
ALSO READ: What happened on 23 July?
BIRTHDAYS
1963 | French rugby player, Louis Armary.
1979 | South African footballer, Toni Nhleko.
1988 | South Korean singer and dancer, Han Seung-yeon.
1991 | South Africa rugby union footballer, Courtnall Skosan.
1998 | Australian conservationist, zookeeper, and actress, Bindi Irwin.
DEATHS
2000 | Iranian poet and journalist, Ahmad Shamloo, 75.
2005 | English physiologist and epidemiologist,Richard Doll, 93.
2007 | American psychologist and author, Albert Ellis, 94.
2010 | Northern Irish snooker player, Alex Higgins, 61.
2011 | German politician,Frank Dietrich, 45.
SPORTS
1998 | On this day, the FA agreed to Arsenal’s request to shift their forthcoming Champions League games from Highbury Stadium to Wembley.
ENTERTAINMENT
2011 | At the Mod Club in Toronto, Abel Tesfaye performed as “The Weeknd” for the first time. Visibly nervous, he kept a firm grip on the microphone.
AFRICA FACT
Africa had civilisation and powerful kingdoms before colonialism.
