Today in History: Sheffield F.C., the world’s oldest association football club still in operation, is founded in 1857

The following are some of the most significant events which took place on 24 October in history:

AD 69 – In the Second Battle of Bedriacum, troops loyal to Vespasian defeat those of Emperor Vitellius.

1795 – Poland is completely consumed by Russia, Prussia and Austria.

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.

1926 – Harry Houdini’s last performance takes place at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit.

1945 – The United Nations Charter comes into effect.

1947 – Famed animator Walt Disney testifies before the House Un-American Activities Committee, naming Disney employees he believes to be communists.

1975 – In Iceland, 90% of women take part in a national strike, refusing to work in protest of gender inequality.

1990 – Italian prime minister Giulio Andreotti reveals to the Italian parliament the existence of Gladio, the Italian NATO force formed in 1956, intended to be activated in the event of a Warsaw Pact invasion.

2008 – “Bloody Friday” saw many of the world’s stock exchanges experience the worst declines in their history, with drops of around 10% in most indices.