On this day

24 May in history.

5 moments from 1683 to 1956: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Samuel F. B. Morse (between 1855 and 1865) Photoportrait by Mathew Brady

1844

"What hath God wrought". Samuel Morse tapped out a message over a telegraph line from Washington to Baltimore, opening the age of fast long-distance communication.

Wikipedia: Samuel Morse

Photo: Mathew Benjamin Brady / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 24 May

  1. Ashmolean Museum

    1683

    The first university museum

    The Ashmolean Museum opened in Oxford, the world's first university museum.

    Wikipedia: Ashmolean Museum

    Photo: Lewis Clarke / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

  2. Brooklyn Bridge

    1883

    The Brooklyn Bridge opens

    The bridge linking Brooklyn and Manhattan opened after 14 years of work, led for years by Emily Roebling after her husband fell ill.

    Wikipedia: Brooklyn BridgeWikipedia: Emily Warren Roebling

    Photo: Christian David / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

  3. Miss Amy Johnson (Later Mrs. J.A.Mollison), who made a solo flight to Australia in May 1930 Approximate date of photograph: 1930

    1930

    Amy Johnson reaches Australia

    After 19 days, Amy Johnson landed in Darwin. No woman had flown alone from England to Australia before.

    Wikipedia: Amy Johnson

    Photo: Andy Dingley (scanner) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. The logo for the Eurovision Song Contest 1956, based off of the programme booklet for the event

    1956

    The first Eurovision

    Seven countries took part in the first Eurovision Song Contest in Lugano, Switzerland. Switzerland won.

    Wikipedia: Eurovision Song Contest 1956

    Photo: Original: European Broadcasting Union , Radiotelevisione svizzera di lingua italiana Ve… / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.