October 24

AD 69 – In the Second Battle of Bedriacum, troops loyal to Vespasian defeat those of Emperor Vitellius. 1260 – Chartres Cathedral is dedicated in the presence of King Louis IX of France. 1360 – The Treaty of Brétigny is ratified, marking the end of the first phase of the Hundred Years' War. 1590 – John White, the governor of the second Roanoke Colony, returns to England after an unsuccessful search for the "lost" colonists. 1596 – The second Spanish armada sets sail to strike against England, but is smashed by storms off Cape Finisterre forcing a retreat to port. 1641 – Felim O'Neill of Kinard, the leader of the Irish Rebellion, issues his Proclamation of Dungannon, justifying the uprising and declaring continued loyalty to King Charles I of England. 1648 – The Peace of Westphalia is signed, marking the end of the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War. 1795 – Poland is completely consumed by Russia, Prussia and Austria. 1812 – Napoleonic Wars: The Battle of Maloyaroslavets takes place near Moscow. 1851 – William Lassell discovers the moons Umbriel and Ariel orbiting Uranus. 1857 – Sheffield F.C., the world's oldest association football club still in operation, is founded in England. 1861 – The first transcontinental telegraph line across the United States is completed. 1871 – An estimated 17 to 22 Chinese immigrants are lynched in Los Angeles, California. 1889 – Henry Parkes delivers the Tenterfield Oration, effectively starting the federation process in Australia. 1900 – U.S. Government announces plans to buy Danish West Indies for $7 million. 1901 – Annie Edson Taylor becomes the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. 1902 – Guatemala's Santa María Volcano begins to erupt, becoming the third-largest eruption of the 20th century. 1911 – Orville Wright remains in the air nine minutes and 45 seconds in a glider at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. 1912 – First Balkan War: The Battle of Kirk Kilisse concludes with a Bulgarian victory against the Ottoman Empire.