September 24: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Large pieces of plastic polystyrene were found in the middle of the Arctic Ocean.

Many were confused about how the debris had ended up 1,000 miles away from the North Pole.

The Indian Space Research Organization’s Mars Orbiter Mission probe reached Mars’ orbit after 298 days.

This event was even more extraordinary as it was not just the first time an Asian nation's spacecraft reached Mars' orbit but the first time any space agency reached Mars' orbit on its first attempt.

China banned all literature from Japan or by Japanese authors.

An anti-Japanese campaign began in China following the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands dispute between the two countries, which Japan stole back in 1931. Anything produced in Japan was boycotted, and shops began not to stock Japanese goods.

The American biographical drama movie “The Social Network” was released at the New York Film Festival.

The American Sitcom, “The Big Bang Theory”, premiered on CBS.

The show lasted for 12 seasons, and because of its success, stars such as Jim Parsons and Kunal Nayyar became some of the most well-paid actors in the world.

American rock band “Nirvana” released their second album called Nevermind.

The album features two of the band's most famous songs, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Come as You Are."

Paul McCartney released his song “No More Lonely Nights.”

Theatrical “Oh! Calcutta!” opened at the Edison Theatre in New York City.

KFC opened its first franchise in Salt Lake City, Utah, US.

Almost 50,000 Jews were transported to Israel, known as Operation Magic Carpet.

Operation Magic Carpet was part of a relocation scheme from Yemen. Yemenite Jews had more accessible access to Israel when most of Yemen became part of the Ottoman Empire, so relocation began.

Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong’s flagship airline, was founded.

The Sultan of Brunei rewarded British adventurer James Brooke by granting him control of Sarawak.

Sarawak is located in the northwestern part of the island of Borneo. Brooke was given this land for helping to put an end to a civil war.

The United States Congress passed the Judiciary Act.

This act created the office of the Attorney General and the federal judiciary system and ordered the composition of the Supreme Court.

Explorer Christopher Columbus set sail on his second voyage with a larger fleet of 17 ships.