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Events on January 24 in history

1939Jan, 24

The deadliest earthquake in Chilean history strikes Chillán, killing approximately 28,000 people.

The 1939 Chillán earthquake occurred in south-central Chile on 24 January with a surface wave magnitude of 8.3 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). With a death toll of around 28,000, compared to the 2,231–6,000 (official estimates vary greatly) of the Great Chilean earthquake of 1960, it is the single deadliest earthquake in Chile.

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Events on 1939

  • 3Mar

    Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

    In Bombay, Mohandas Gandhi begins a hunger strike in protest at the autocratic rule in British India.
  • 1Apr

    Francisco Franco

    Spanish Civil War: Generalísimo Francisco Franco of the Spanish State announces the end of the Spanish Civil War, when the last of the Republican forces surrender.
  • 6Sep

    Nazi Germany

    World War II: South Africa declares war on Nazi Germany.
  • 14Dec

    Soviet Union

    Winter War: The Soviet Union is expelled from the League of Nations for invading Finland.
  • 24Dec

    Pope Pius XII

    World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace.