Feb. 24, 2009 - Today In History

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 24, the 55th day of 2009. There are 310 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Feb. 24, 1868, the House of Representatives impeached President Andrew Johnson following his attempted dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton; Johnson was later acquitted by the Senate.

On this date:

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued a papal bull, or edict, outlining his calendar reforms. (The Gregorian Calendar is the calendar in general use today.)

In 1803, in its Marbury v. Madison decision, the Supreme Court established judicial review of the constitutionality of statutes.

In 1821, Mexican rebels proclaimed the Plan de Iguala, their declaration of independence from Spain.

In 1863, Arizona was organized as a territory.

In 1920, the German Workers Party, which later became the Nazi Party, met in Munich to adopt its platform.

In 1942, the Voice of America went on the air for the first time.

In 1946, Argentinian men went to the polls to elect Juan D. Peron their president.

In 1983, a congressional commission released a report condemning the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II as a "grave injustice."

In 1988, in a ruling that expanded legal protections for parody and satire, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned a $150,000 award that the Rev. Jerry Falwell had won against Hustler magazine and publisher Larry Flynt.

In 1989, a state funeral was held in Japan for Emperor Hirohito, who had died the month before at age 87.

Ten years ago:

The Senate voted by a lopsided 91-8 margin to approve the package that would give the military a 4.8 percent pay raise on Jan. 1, 2000. (The raise was included in the fiscal 2000 defense bill later signed by President Bill Clinton.)

Five years ago:

Former President George W. Bush urged approval of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriages.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake devastated an isolated region of northern Morocco, killing more than 600 people.

Character actor John Randolph died in Hollywood at age 88.

One year ago:

"No Country for Old Men" won the Academy Award for best picture, best director and best screenplay adaption for Joel and Ethan Coen and best supporting actor for Javier Bardem; Daniel Day-Lewis won best actor for "There Will Be Blood," while Marion Cotillard was named best actress for "La Vie en Rose."

A suicide bomber struck Shiite Muslim pilgrims south of Baghdad, killing at least 56 people.

Cuba's parliament named Raul Castro president, ending nearly 50 years of rule by his brother Fidel.

Ralph Nader announced a fresh bid for the White House on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Today's Birthdays:

Actor Abe Vigoda is 88.

Actor Steven Hill is 87.

Actor-singer Dominic Chianese is 78.

Movie composer Michel Legrand is 77.

Actor James Farentino is 71.

Actor Barry Bostwick is 64.

Actor Edward James Olmos is 62.

Singer-writer-producer Rupert Holmes is 62.

Rock singer-musician George Thorogood is 59.

Actress Debra Jo Rupp is 58.

Actress Helen Shaver is 58.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs is 54.

News anchor Paula Zahn is 53.

Country singer Sammy Kershaw is 51.

Singer Michelle Shocked is 47.

Movie director Todd Field is 45.

Actor Billy Zane is 43.

Football player Jeff Garcia is 39.

Actress Bonnie Somerville is 35.

Football player Bob Sanders is 28.

Rhythm-and-blues singer Brandon Brown (Mista) is 26.

Rock musician Matt McGinley (Gym Class Heroes) is 26.

Thought for Today:

"Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind."

— Henry James,
American author
(1843-1916).