On this day: February 24
February 24, 1836
On this day in 1836, the Battle of the Alamo began in San Antonio, Texas. The battle was a pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution, where a small group of Texan defenders held off a much larger Mexican force for 13 days before ultimately being overrun. The defenders, including famous figures such as Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, became martyrs for the cause of Texas independence.
February 24, 1868
On this day in 1868, the United States House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson. Johnson, who had assumed the presidency after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, had clashed with Congress over Reconstruction policies following the Civil War. The Senate would later acquit Johnson of the charges, making him the first president in U.S. history to be impeached but not removed from office.
February 24, 1920
On this day in 1920, the Nazi Party was founded in Germany. Led by Adolf Hitler, the party would go on to become a powerful political force in Germany, ultimately leading to the rise of the Third Reich and the horrors of World War II. The Nazi Party’s ideology of racism, anti-Semitism, and militarism would have a lasting impact on the world.
February 24, 1989
On this day in 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The oil tanker ran aground, spilling over 11 million gallons of crude oil into the pristine waters of the sound. The spill had devastating effects on the local environment, killing thousands of animals and causing long-term damage to the ecosystem. It remains one of the largest oil spills in U.S. history.
February 24, 2008
On this day in 2008, Fidel Castro announced his resignation as President of Cuba. Castro had been in power for nearly 50 years, ruling the island nation with an iron fist. His resignation marked the end of an era in Cuban history, as his brother Raul Castro would take over as president. Fidel Castro’s rule had been marked by repression, censorship, and human rights abuses, but he also had a significant impact on Cuban society and politics.
Conclusion
February 24 has been a day of significant events throughout history, from battles and political upheavals to environmental disasters and resignations of world leaders. These events have shaped the course of history and continue to have lasting effects on the world we live in today.
