(Following Advance for Use Sunday, February 24th)


Today in History

Today is Sunday, February 24th, the 55th day of 2008. There are 311 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History: On February 24th, 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 the 13th issued a papal bull, or edict, outlining his calendar reforms. (The Gregorian Calendar is the calendar in general use today.) In 1607, the Opera "Orfeo," by Claudio Monteverdi, had its public premiere at the Court Theater in Mantua, Italy.

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, a fledgling German political party held its first meeting of importance in Munich; it became known as the Nazi Party, and its chief spokesman was Adolf Hitler.

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

In 1946, Argentinians 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 overturned a $200,000 award that the Reverend Jerry Falwell had won against Hustler magazine and publisher Larry Flynt.

Ten years ago: Henny Youngman, a tireless comic who quipped "Take my wife please" and countless other one-liners during a career that spanned seven decades, died in New York City at age 91.

Five years ago: Seeking U.N. approval for war against Iraq, the United States, Britain and Spain submitted a resolution to the Security Council declaring that Saddam Hussein had missed "the final opportunity" to disarm peacefully and indicating that he had to face the consequences. A powerful earthquake in China's western region of Xinjiang killed at least 268 people and injured more than 1,000.

One year ago: A suicide truck bomber struck worshippers leaving a Sunni mosque in Habbaniyah, 50 miles west of Baghdad, killing at least 52 people. The Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution expressing "profound regret" for the state's role in slavery.

Denver Broncos running back Damien Nash, 24, collapsed and died after a charity Basketball game he'd hosted in suburban St. Louis.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Abe Vigoda is 87. Actor Steven Hill is 86. Actor-singer Dominic Chianese (kee-uh-NAY'-see) is 77. Movie composer Michel Legrand is 76. Actor James Farentino is 70. Actor Barry Bostwick is 63. Actor Edward James Olmos is 61.

Singer-writer-producer Rupert Holmes is 61. Rock singer-musician George Thorogood is 58. Actress Debra Jo Rupp is 57. Actress Helen Shaver is 57. Apple CEO Steve Jobs is 53. News anchor Paula Zahn is 52. Country singer Sammy Kershaw is 50. Singer Michelle Shocked is 46. Movie director Todd Field is 44. Actor Billy Zane is 42.

Actress Bonnie Somerville is 34. Rhythm-and-blues singer Brandon Brown (Mista) is 25.

Thought for Today: "I once wanted to become an atheist but I gave up ... they have no holidays." Henny Youngman, American comedian (1906-1998).

(Above Advance for Use Sunday, February 24th)


Copyright 2008, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 02-17-08 0823CST | save this article / add to your favorites list