Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. (more) Today in History—April 24: How an Anthrax Experiment Quarantined an Island Written by Michele Metych Michele Metych is the lead editor for Today in History at Encyclopædia Britannica. Michele Metych Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Apr. 20, 2026 •History On this day in 1990, the longest quarantine of an island in history came to an end when the “island of death” was declared safe—after 48 years. (Guinness World Records really does have a category for everything.) Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Want to learn more about what happened on April 24, or any other day of the year? Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox...

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