On this day: May 24

The Vanishing of Franklin’s 1845 Expedition

On May 24, 1845, Sir John Franklin’s two-ship Arctic expedition—intended to chart the Northwest Passage—departed England and later became the first widely documented case of an entire exploration force disappearing without clear explanation.

Stadium Stand Collapse Kills Dozens at May 24, 1964 Football Match

On May 24, 1964, a section of a football stadium collapsed during a match, causing dozens of fan deaths and numerous injuries. Investigations afterwards examined crowding, structural failure, and stadium maintenance practices.