October 24 has seen the United Nations born, stock markets crash, and walls tumble in the march of progress.
The United Nations officially came into existence when its Charter was ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council and a majority of other signatories. The organization aimed to prevent another world war.
The stock market crash began with 'Black Thursday,' when panic selling hit Wall Street. The crash continued through the following Tuesday, wiping out millions of investors and triggering the Great Depression.
The first transcontinental telegraph line was completed, connecting the East and West coasts of the United States. The achievement rendered the Pony Express obsolete after just 18 months of operation.
The Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War, one of the most devastating conflicts in European history. The treaties established the modern concept of state sovereignty in international relations.
The Concorde supersonic airliner made its final commercial flight from New York to London. The iconic aircraft, which could cross the Atlantic in under three hours, was retired after 27 years.
The magnificent Gothic cathedral at Chartres was dedicated in the presence of King Louis IX. Its stunning stained glass windows and architectural innovations made it a masterpiece of medieval architecture.
Schoolteacher Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. The 63-year-old performed the stunt to gain fame and money, though neither materialized.