🗞️Today’s Headlines

Everything important that’s ever happened on February 24:

2020 — Oscar-winning American film producer Harvey Weinstein was convicted of criminal sexual assault and rape by a New York jury. The trial and verdict helped launch the #MeToo Movement, which resulted in a reckoning for many sexually abusive men of power. 

1991 — US soldiers entered Iraqi-occupied Kuwait and after more than a month of aerial attacks, ground operations began in the Persian Gulf War.

1976 — Fidel Castro adopted the constitution of Cuba, which included many communist ideals in addition to free speech and the right to assemble. 

1942 — The Voice of America (VOA) broadcast its first message into Germany in order to counter Nazi propaganda. The VOA is still in existence today and has covered events such as the moon landing, for which 650 million people tuned in. 

1868 — Andrew Johnson became the first US president to be impeached via a vote by the House of Representatives. He maintained the presidency after barely being acquitted by the Senate. 

1848 — King Louis Philippe, part of the July Monarchy of France, abdicated the throne after a massive public uprising against the monarchy, paving the way for the start of the Second French Republic. 

1821 — Various Mexican leaders signed the Iguala Plan, which guaranteed Mexico’s independence, its commitment to Catholicism, and equality for all its citizens. The Plan was not recognized by Spain, and Mexico would not officially gain independence until 1836.

1803 — In the case Marbury v. Madison, the US Supreme Court established the Constitution as law and gave itself the ability of judicial review, meaning they can declare laws unconstitutional. 

1739 — During Iran’s invasion of India, Nādir Shah of Iran won the Battle of Karnal against the Mughal emperor. The victory led to the plundering of Delhi and numerous civilian deaths. 

1525 — At the Battle of Pavia, Habsburg emperor Charles V decisively defeated the army of Francis I of France, capturing Francis I himself, which led to the end of the Four Years’ War.

🎂 Today’s Birthdays

On February 24, we’re singing to:

Steve Jobs (1955) — Co-founder of Apple Computer Inc., which produced one of the first successful personal computers. Jobs left Apple but returned in 1997 and led Apple through the development of the iMac, iTunes, iPhone, and more, turning Apple into the world’s most valuable company.   

Judith Butler (1956) — American philosopher, author, and feminist who has helped shape modern thought surrounding gender identity and sexuality.  

 🪦Who Died Today?

On February 24, we’re saying goodbye to:

Robert Fulton (1765) — American artist and inventor who sailed the first functioning submarine through the River Seine in Paris and developed the first commercial steamboat.

Tommy Douglas (1986) — Canadian politician who is renowned for introducing universal healthcare to his native state of Saskatchewan, then seeing it adopted nationwide, as well as being named the “Greatest Canadian” in a country-wide survey. 

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