February 24th What Happened on the day you were born on This day in History
1942 U.S.A. Voice of America
24th February, 1942 : The Voice of America goes on the air for the first time under the Office of War Information with news programs aimed at Japan, the south Pacific, and to areas of Europe and North Africa under the occupation of Nazi Germany.
24th February, 1942 : The Voice of America goes on the air for the first time under the Office of War Information with news programs aimed at Japan, the south Pacific, and to areas of Europe and North Africa under the occupation of Nazi Germany.
1903 Cuba Guantanamo Bay
24th February, 1903 : The United States signed a leasing agreement between the US and Cuba , acquiring Guantanamo Bay a naval station at the southeastern end in Cuba
1920 U.S.A. Atlantic Flight Race
24th February, 1920 : It was announced on this day that fliers from 18 different nations are planning to participate in an Atlantic Flight race. The first place winner of this race was to receive $100,000. The plan was to start the fliers off from either New York or Atlantic City. From one of these points, the fliers would head south towards Cuba Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the across the Caribbean Sea to Caracas, and then to Permambuco. After that, they would then fly across the Atlantic to Dakar, then along the western coast of Africa. After that they would head northward and will pass Magador and Casa Blanca. From there, the flight will head across either Spain or Portugal to Biarritz, and then to the French Coast and the London Channel. The return trip planned would be straight across the Atlantic Ocean.
1920 U.S.A. Teacher Pay
24th February, 1920 : A report was printed on this day regarding the issue of teacher salary problems and supply in demand in rural areas. This issue was addressed by A. Floyd, the Superintendent of Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. The biggest issue regarding teacher supply and demand is the fact that teachers may not always be adequately prepared to teach in certain areas, particular rural ones. These are the areas where they would also get paid less as well.
1922 U.S.A. Powder Magazine Explosion
24th February, 1922 : An explosion of the powder magazine in a stone quarry in McCook in southern Illinois shook the city of Chicago shattering many windows in the south of the city and the blast was so strong that a train passing near by was blown completely off the tracks.
1924 France Johnny Weissmuller
24th February, 1924 : Johnny Weissmuller wins his first gold medal in 100-meters freestyle in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He went on to win Gold in the 400-meters freestyle and as part of the 800-meters freestyle relay team. In Amsterdam in 1928 he wins two more gold medals. Following his olympics success in 1932 he played the role of Tarzan in Tarzan the Ape Man.
1932 China Japan / China Conflict
24th February, 1932 : According to one report given on this day, Japan was planning a protest against the U.S. government. This particular protest against the U.S. was planned as a result of an incident that occurred while Robert Short, an American who was fighting while in combat with Japanese airplanes. Part of the reason for the conflict between the U.S. and the Japanese was the fact that the Chinese government had asked that Robert Short be buried in China in order to give him proper burial. The Japanese were opposed to this action. Also, no official report was made regarding the death of this airplane fighter at this time.
1940 U.S.A. When You Wish Upon a Star
24th February, 1940 : The song "When You Wish Upon a Star" is recorded by Frances Langford. It becomes a major hit and it is still one of the most recognizable songs today
1945 World War II Liberate Manila
24th February, 1945 : American soldiers liberate the capital Manila from Japanese control during World War II.
1945 Egypt Dr. Ahmed Maher Pasha
24th February, 1945 : The prime minister of Egypt Dr. Ahmed Maher Pasha was assassinated after reading a declaration of war against the Axis powers.
1946 Argentina Juan Domingo Peron Elected
24th February, 1946 : Juan Domingo Peron, is elected president in Argentina, at the time when he was elected he had a mistress named Eva Duarte who proved to be his greatest asset, or "Evita," as she became affectionately known who later became his wife.
1950 Great Britain Clement Attlee
24th February, 1950 : Clement Attlee and the British Labour party has won the 1950 general election with a much decreased majority and will continue its programme of nationalisation of major industries including iron and steel. The commitment to the Welfare State with the National Insurance Act which provides help and support for the more vulnerable in British society will be continued.
1955 Great Britain 1955 Big Freeze
24th February, 1955 : With over 70 roads now not passable the big freeze continues in the UK with many essential supplies including food and medical supplies now in jeopardy. The RAF is dropping food and medical supplies in the worst affected areas and are also dropping tons of hay over the Scottish Highlands as sheep are now starving due to the massive snowdrifts that have built up .
1968 Vietnam Recapture Hue
24th February, 1968 : American Marines and South Vietnamese soldiers have recaptured the city of Hue from North Vietnamese forces.
1971 United Kingdom New Immigration Bill
24th February, 1971 : A new Immigration Bill announced today will restrict Commonwealth citizens automatic rights to remain in the UK, they will now be treated with the same restrictions as any other person applying to live and work in Britain. This bill is in response to the public concern about a large number of immigrants entering Britain in the last few years.
1972 China Nixon Visits Great Wall Of China
24th February, 1972 : This was the day when President Nixon had visited the Great Wall of China. Nixon had called for the breaking down of the walls there and “walls of any kind between peoples”. Before Nixon had arrived in China, there was some talk of releasing American prisoners of war held there. No answer has been given yet as to whether or not that was going to happen as of this day, but it was reported that negotiations were being made.
1978 U.S.A. Fleetwood Mac
24th February, 1978 : The musical group Fleetwood Mac had won a Grammy Award on this day. This award was given to this group for best album of 1977, as a result of this groups hard work on the album Rumours.
1981 United Kingdom Charles and Diana
24th February, 1981 : The Prince of Wales announced his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer ending months of speculation by the tabloid press.
1991 Kuwait US Ground Invasion Kuwait
24th February, 1991 : A ground troop invasion of Kuwait and Iraq was initiated by the U.S. on this date. This decision was made after six weeks of bombing against Iraq and its army.
1997 U.S.A. Morning After Pill
24th February, 1997 : The FDA name six brands of birth control as safe and effective "morning-after" pills for preventing pregnancy
1999 Austria Avalanche
24th February, 1999 : An avalanche in the Austrian Alps buries homes and kills 13 people in Valzur
2006 U.S.A. Abortion
24th February, 2006 : South Dakota lawmakers approved a ban on nearly all abortions
