Some dates are quietly linked to events that will later form the foundations of nations, institutions, and even the world’s timekeeping systems. February 24 is one of these dates. It has witnessed the reform of the calendar in Europe, the start of impeachment proceedings in the US, the establishment of political movements, and milestones in space exploration. Below is a detailed examination of five major events associated with this date.
Gregorian calendar reform announced (1582)
On February 24, 1582, Pope Gregory XIII signed the papal bull Inter gravissimas, which established what would come to be known as the Gregorian calendar. The new calendar system was designed to fix errors in the Julian calendar, particularly with regard to leap years. Eventually, the new calendar system was adopted worldwide and remains the standard civil calendar to this day.
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Andrew Johnson impeached (1868)
On this date in 1868, the US House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson. Johnson had been charged with violating the Tenure of Office Act after he fired Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Johnson would later be tried in the Senate, where he escaped removal from office by a single vote.
Nazi Party Programme presented (1920)
On February 24, 1920, Adolf Hitler outlined the 25-point program of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party at a meeting in Munich. The program outlined the party’s nationalist and racist policies and would later become a cornerstone of the party’s rise to power in German politics.
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Juan PerĂłn elected president of Argentina (1946)
Argentine leader Juan PerĂłn won the presidential election on February 24, 1946. His victory marked the start of a period of political upheaval in Argentina and the rise of Peronism as a political force.
Space shuttle Discovery’s final launch (2011)
NASA launched the Space Shuttle Discovery on February 24, 2011, on mission STS 133. The launch marked the 39th and final flight of the shuttle and the beginning of the end of the US Space Shuttle program, which would be retired later that year.
