Dates are weird. Some pass by without a blink, while others carry so much weight they practically vibrate. April 24 is one of those heavy ones. It’s not just a random Tuesday or Wednesday on the calendar. For millions of people, it’s a day of deep mourning, a day of fashion revolution, and—lately—a day where the internet loses its mind over a TikTok hoax.
Honestly, if you look at the data, the search volume for what happens on April 24 spikes every single year like clockwork. But the reasons why people are searching vary wildly depending on who you ask.
Are you a history buff? You’re likely looking at the solemn commemorations in Yerevan. Are you into sustainability? You’re probably thinking about the collapse of a factory in Bangladesh. Or are you a parent worried about a viral "national day" trend that turned out to be a complete fabrication?
It’s a lot to unpack. Let’s get into the actual meat of what makes this day so significant, from the tragic history to the modern digital chaos.
The Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
This is the big one. It’s the primary reason the world pauses on April 24.
In 1915, on this exact date, the Ottoman authorities rounded up and arrested about 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople. This was the opening act of what is now recognized by most historians and many nations as the Armenian Genocide. We’re talking about the systematic killing and deportation of 1.5 million Armenians.
It's heavy. It’s brutal. And for a long time, it was a geopolitical landmine.
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For decades, the United States avoided using the word "genocide" to describe these events. Why? Because Turkey is a key NATO ally. It was a diplomatic tightrope walk. Presidents would issue statements every April 24 using terms like Meds Yeghern (the Great Crime), but they stopped short of the "G-word."
That changed in 2021. President Joe Biden officially recognized the events as a genocide. It was a massive moment for the Armenian diaspora. Now, every year on this date, you’ll see thousands of people marching to the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex in Armenia, laying a sea of flowers around the eternal flame. It’s a somber, silent, and incredibly powerful sight.
Fashion Revolution and the Rana Plaza Collapse
Shift gears to 2013. Something happened on April 24 that fundamentally changed how we think about the clothes on our backs.
The Rana Plaza building in Savar, Bangladesh, collapsed. It was an eight-story commercial building filled with garment factories. The day before, cracks had appeared in the structure. Shops and a bank on the lower floors closed immediately. But the garment workers? They were told to come in anyway. They were told the building was safe.
It wasn't.
The collapse killed 1,134 people. It remains the deadliest structural failure accident in modern human history and the deadliest garment-factory accident ever.
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In the aftermath, the Fashion Revolution movement was born. Every year on April 24, activists and consumers participate in "Fashion Revolution Week." You’ve probably seen the hashtag #WhoMadeMyClothes on Instagram. That’s not just a catchy slogan; it’s a direct response to the tragedy of Rana Plaza.
It forces us to confront the reality of fast fashion. It's about the humans behind the $5 t-shirt. It’s about demanding transparency from brands that, for a long time, hid behind complex supply chains to avoid accountability.
The "National Rape Day" Hoax That Won’t Die
Now we get to the darker, stupider side of the internet. If you’ve been on TikTok or Reddit recently, you might have seen terrifying warnings about April 24 being "National Rape Day."
Let’s be incredibly clear: This is a complete and total hoax.
There is no such day. There is no group of people organizing such a thing. It started as a baseless rumor on TikTok in 2021. It was likely a "troll" post designed to cause panic, and boy, did it work. Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and the UK had to issue statements because parents were keeping their kids home from school.
The problem is the "echo chamber" effect. People see a video warning them about the day, they get scared, they share it to "warn" others, and suddenly the hoax is trending again. It’s a classic example of how digital misinformation can create real-world anxiety out of thin air.
If you see someone posting about this, don't share it. Don't engage. Report it for misinformation. The only thing "happening" regarding this trend is the spread of fear.
Other Weird and Wonderful April 24 Milestones
History is dense. If you dig deep enough, April 24 pops up in some pretty unexpected places.
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- The Hubble Space Telescope: On April 24, 1990, the Space Shuttle Discovery took off with Hubble tucked inside. Think about how much that one telescope changed our understanding of the universe. Every stunning photo of a nebula or a distant galaxy we’ve seen over the last few decades? We owe a lot of that to this date.
- The Library of Congress: Way back in 1800, President John Adams signed the act of Congress providing for the transfer of the seat of government from Philadelphia to Washington. This act also established the Library of Congress. It started with a $5,000 budget for books. Today, it’s the largest library in the world.
- The Easter Rising: In 1916, on April 24 (which was Easter Monday that year), Irish republicans launched an armed insurrection against British rule. It was a pivotal moment that eventually led to the establishment of the Irish Free State.
Why April 24 Trends Every Year
The reason this date stays in the Google "trending" searches is the intersection of these events. You have a massive human rights anniversary, a global environmental/labor movement, and a viral internet hoax all fighting for the same 24 hours.
It creates a "perfect storm" for search algorithms.
People in the fashion industry are searching for Rana Plaza updates. The Armenian community is sharing commemorative posts. And Gen Z is often seeing the remnants of that TikTok hoax and looking for reassurance.
How to approach April 24 moving forward
Instead of just scrolling past the noise, there are a few ways to actually make this date meaningful.
First, take five minutes to look up a brand you shop with regularly. See if they’ve signed the "International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry." This was the direct legal result of the Rana Plaza collapse. If they haven't signed it, maybe ask them why.
Second, if you’re seeing the viral "safety" warnings on social media, check the source. Usually, these videos come from accounts with no credentials, using "copy-paste" scripts. Use sites like Snopes or check official police Twitter/X accounts before letting the panic set in.
Finally, acknowledge the history. Whether it’s the Armenian Genocide or the Irish Easter Rising, April 24 is a day that reminds us how much our current world was built on the struggles of the past.
Next Steps for the April 24 Curious:
- Check Your Labels: Visit the Fashion Revolution website and use their transparency index to see how your favorite clothing brands rank in terms of worker safety.
- Verify the News: If you encounter "National Day" trends on TikTok, use the search filter to look for "fact check" videos rather than just the top-performing viral ones.
- Educational Resources: Read the 1915 timeline provided by the Armenian National Institute to understand the specific events of the "Red Sunday" arrests that started it all.