Edited daily
American history, reported as it happened
Made for the 250thOn this day › August 24
What happened on August 24 in American history
August 24 is the 236th day of the year (the 237th in leap years). Patriot Compass has published 7 stories from August 24 spanning 1814 to 1954. Among them: in 1814, Smoke rises over Washington as British troops torch the Capitol and the President's Mansion; and in 1909, First concrete goes into the Panama Canal locks.
1814
Smoke rises over Washington as British troops torch the Capitol and the President's Mansion
Madison flees to Maryland while Dolley Madison's staff carries out the silver as British soldiers sit down to the dinner meant for his guests.
1909Member story · 1776 Club
First concrete goes into the Panama Canal locks
The pour follows months of engineering review that reshaped the dam, the locks, and how wide the canal would be.
1932Member story · 1776 Club
Earhart lifts off from Los Angeles alone, aiming for Newark without a stop
Three months after crossing the Atlantic solo, she points her red Vega east across the whole continent.
1942
Saratoga's bombers catch the Ryūjō; the carrier goes down after dark
Three to five bombs and a torpedo cripple the Japanese flattop near Santa Isabel Island as the fleets close for battle.
1944Member story · 1776 Club
A Spanish-manned French company breaks into Paris; the half-track Ebro opens fire at the Hôtel de Ville
Captain Raymond Dronne defies the plan to bypass the city and becomes the first French officer back inside its walls.
1949
The North Atlantic Treaty takes effect; twelve nations are now bound to defend each other
Four months after the signing in Washington, Article 5's promise becomes binding law.
1954Member story · 1776 Club
Eisenhower's law takes effect: the Communist Party is now illegal in America
Membership itself becomes a crime punishable by five years in prison, unless members register with the Attorney General.
Read the full August 24 edition →
← August 23 · Every date · August 25 →