Today in History for 24th January 2026

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Historical Events

1924 - Benito Mussolini disallows non-fascist work union
1930 - John Mills scores New Zealand's 1st Test century in cricket, sharing a record 276 run opening stand with Stewie Dempster
1935 - First canned beer, "Krueger's Cream Ale," is sold by American company Krueger Brewing Co.
1950 - US patent is awarded to inventor Percy Spencer for the microwave oven
2018 - UK charity Presidents Club forced to close after revelations of sexual harassment at event revealed by the "Financial Times"

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Famous Birthdays

1746 - Gustav III, King of Sweden (1771-92), born in Stockholm (d. 1792)
1864 - Marguerite Durand, French journalist, feminist, and publisher (La Fronde), born in Paris, France (d. 1936)
1925 - William Hudson, American actor (I Led 3 Lives), born in Gilroy, California (d. 1974)
1948 - Michael Des Barres, British rock singer (Detective; Power Station), actor (MacGyver; The New WKRP in Cincinnati), and radio DJ, born in Hove, England
1957 - Mark Eaton, American basketball center (NBA All-Star 1989; NBA Defensive Player of the Year 1985, 89; Utah Jazz), born in Westminster, California (d. 2021)

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Famous Deaths

1848 - Horace Wells, American dentist (pioneered use of medical anesthesia), commits suicide after committing a crime under the influence of chloroform at 33
2008 - J. Robert Hooper, American politician, dies at 71
2015 - Toller Cranston, Canadian figure skater (Olympic bronze men's singles 1976; World C'ship bronze 1974) and painter, dies of a heart attack at 65
2022 - Aftab Baloch, Pakistan cricket batsman (2 Tests; 7th player to pass the 400 first class run milestone, 428 for Sind 1974), dies at 68
2025 - Ellert Schram, Icelandic soccer forward (23 caps; KR) and executive (chairman Icelandic FA 1973-89), dies at 85

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