February 24 in History

Significant events that happened on this day.

Historical Events

2011

The discovery of 234 planets in a single day was announced by NASA's Kepler mission

This massive batch of confirmed exoplanets more than doubled the number of known planets outside our solar system. Six of these planets were found orb...

2008

Fidel Castro officially resigned as President of Cuba after nearly 50 years in power

Major

Castro had temporarily handed power to his brother Raúl in 2006 due to illness, but made it official on this date. His reign began in 1959 after the C...

1991

The Gulf War ground campaign began as coalition forces invaded Iraq and Kuwait

Major

After weeks of aerial bombardment, Operation Desert Storm's ground phase launched with over 700,000 coalition troops. The campaign would last only 100...

1987

Supernova 1987A was discovered, the closest observed supernova to Earth since 1604

Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud about 168,000 light-years away, it was visible to the naked eye for several months. Astronomers around the world...

1966

Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president, was overthrown in a military coup while visiting China

Nkrumah had led Ghana to independence in 1957 and was a pan-African visionary, but his government had become increasingly authoritarian. He learned of...

1955

Steve Jobs was born in San Francisco

Major

The Apple co-founder was adopted as an infant by Paul and Clara Jobs. He would go on to revolutionize personal computing, animated films, music distri...

1942

The Battle of Los Angeles occurred when air raid sirens sent the city into a panic over a suspected Japanese attack

Anti-aircraft artillery fired over 1,400 shells at supposed enemy aircraft, but no planes were ever found. The 'attack' may have been triggered by wea...

1938

The first nylon bristle toothbrush went on sale in America

Marketed as 'Dr. West's Miracle Tuft Toothbrush,' it cost $0.50 and revolutionized dental hygiene. Before nylon, toothbrushes used animal hair bristle...

1920

The Nazi Party was founded in Munich when the German Workers' Party changed its name

Major

Adolf Hitler had joined the party the previous year and suggested the name change to the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP). At this poi...

1868

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson

Major

Johnson became the first U.S. president to be impeached, charged with violating the Tenure of Office Act. He would be acquitted by the Senate by a sin...

1664

England took control of the colony of New Netherland from the Dutch without firing a shot

The Duke of York's forces simply sailed into New Amsterdam harbor and the Dutch surrendered peacefully, realizing they were outnumbered. New Amsterdam...

1582

Pope Gregory XIII issued the papal bull that created the Gregorian calendar

Major

The decree was signed on February 24, though it wouldn't take effect until October. This calendar reform corrected the drift in the Julian calendar an...

1303

The University of Rome La Sapienza was founded by Pope Boniface VIII

It's one of the oldest universities in the world and today is Europe's largest university by enrollment with over 112,000 students. The name 'La Sapie...