AP Today in History
Today, February 24, is the 55th day of the year on the Gregorian calendar. The Zodiac sign for individuals born on this day is Pisces.
February 24th is National Artist Day in Thailand. This holiday has been in effect since 1985. The date of February 24 was chosen because it is the date of birth of King Rama II who was also an artist. http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/thai_article/2419_important_%20days_I/important_days_I.html It is a day that the Thai people recognize their artists in the categories of literature, fine arts, visual arts, applied arts of architecture and design and performing arts. Performing arts include Thai dance, international dance, puppetry, shadow play, Thai music, international music, drama and film. The National Artists receive a monthly salary, health benefits and money toward funeral expenses and a memorial biography.
February 24th is also the day of Mexico’s Flag Day. This date was established as Flag Day in the year 1937]. In Mexico, special TV and radio programs to review the history and meaning of the flag, mark this day. The Mexican Flag is green, white and red. Green is for hope and victory, white stands for purity of ideals and red represents the blood of the national heroes that has been shed. The flag also has an emblem. The emblem tells of the legend of the Mexicans in search of a sign of Huitzilopochtli as to where they should establish their empire. The sign they saw was an eagle sitting on top of a Nopal cactus eating a snake. This eagle was on an island in the middle of a lake. They started Tenochtitlan, their city on that island. It is now known as Mexico City.http://www.bajainsider.com/baja-life/general-information/mexico-flag.htm
The 1990s
- 1999: Lauryn Hill sets a Grammy Awards record by winning 5 awards, this is the most that have ever been awarded to a female artist. She also performed with Carlos Santana at the awards.
The 1980s
- 1981: Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Charles was engaged to Diana Spencer.
The 1940s
- 1945: World War II: The United States liberates Manila, the capital of the Philippines from Japanese control.
The 1900s
- 1903: The United States and Cuba reach an agreement seeing the States acquire the Guantanamo Bay naval station.
The 1800s
- 1868: Andrew Johnson becomes the first American president to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Famous Birthdays
- 1970: Jeff Garcia - Quarterback
- 1966: Billy Zane - Titanic
- 1950: George Thorogood - Musician
- 1942: Joe Lieberman - Conn. Senator
Famous Deaths
- 2006: Don Knotts - The Andy Griffith Show
- 1986: Tommy Douglas - Canadian Politician
