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May 24
5 moments across history
Samuel Morse sends first telegraph message
On May 24, 1844, Samuel F. B. Morse sent the first long-distance telegraph message — “What hath God wrought” — from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, proving that electric communication could collapse distance in real time.
Morse telegraph apparatus from the early electric telegraph era.
Brooklyn Bridge opens
Opening-night fireworks over the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, May 24, 1883.
The grand opening march over the Brooklyn Bridge, illustrated in 1883.
On May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge opened to the public, linking Manhattan and Brooklyn with what was then the world’s longest suspension bridge and one of the defining engineering achievements of nineteenth-century New York.
Amy Johnson completes solo flight to Australia
Amy Johnson with Jason, the de Havilland Gipsy Moth she flew to Australia.
Portrait of Amy Johnson, whose 1930 flight made her an international aviation celebrity.
On May 24, 1930, British aviator Amy Johnson landed in Darwin, Australia, completing her solo flight from England and becoming the first woman to fly solo from Britain to Australia.
HMS Hood is sunk
HMS Hood, the Royal Navy battlecruiser lost in the Denmark Strait.
German battleship Bismarck burning and sinking after the subsequent Royal Navy pursuit.
On May 24, 1941, HMS Hood was sunk during the Battle of the Denmark Strait after engaging the German battleship Bismarck. The loss of the Royal Navy battlecruiser shocked Britain and triggered the intense pursuit of Bismarck.
First Eurovision Song Contest is held
Logo from the inaugural 1956 Eurovision Song Contest.
Lys Assia, winner of the first Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland.
On May 24, 1956, the first Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lugano, Switzerland. Seven countries competed in the inaugural broadcast, launching what became one of Europe’s longest-running televised cultural events.