War & Conflict
All War →DEC 22 · 2001
December 24 in history — On This Day
1979
Ariane 1 Makes Its First Launch
The first Ariane rocket launched successfully from Kourou on December 24, 1979.
Read the story →Also on December 24
This Week in History
Space
All Space →DEC 24 · 1979
Ariane 1 Makes Its First Launch
Technology
All Technology →DEC 23 · 1947
Bell Laboratories Demonstrates the Transistor
History
View all →Crime & Justice
View all →Science
View all →Medicine & Health
View all →Nature & Disasters
View all →Exploration
View all →
Film & TV
View all →The Story Behind the Photo
Chicago After the Fire: From Burned Blocks to a New Skyline
A photograph taken after the 1871 fire can make Chicago look as though its future had been decided by a wall of flame. A view from around 1905 tells a different story: tall offices, busy transport routes and commercial streets crowded again.
Explore the frame →Collections
Explore by Topic
My Birthday in History
See what happened on your date.
Watch in 30 Seconds
Big moments, short videos.
Browse videos →