On This Day February 24th

 OTD

February 24th is the Fifty-fifth day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 310 days remain until the end of the year.

Events

1303 – The English are defeated at the Battle of Roslin in the First War of Scottish Independence.

1582 – With the papal bull inter gravissimas, Pope Gregory XIII announced the Gregorian calendar.

1607 – L'Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi, one of the first works recognized as an opera, receives its première performance.

1803 – In Marbury v. Madison, the United States Supreme Court established the principle of judicial review.

1854 – A Penny Red with perforations becomes the first perforated postage stamp officially issued for distribution.

1868 – Andrew Johnson becomes the first President of the United States to be impeached by the United States House of Representatives. He is later acquitted in the Senate.

1920 – Nancy Astor became the first woman to speak in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom following her election as a Member of Parliament (MP) three months earlier.

1949 – The Armistice Agreements were signed to end the hostilities of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War formally.

1983 – A special commission of the United States Congress condemns the Japanese American internment during World War II.

1991 – Gulf War: Ground troops cross the Saudi Arabian border and enter Iraq, thus beginning the ground phase of the war.

 

Birthdays

1723 – John Burgoyne, English general and politician (d. 1792)

1786 – Wilhelm Grimm, German anthropologist, author, and academic (d. 1859)

1836 – Winslow Homer, American painter and illustrator (d. 1910)

1874 – Honus Wagner, American baseball player, coach, and manager (d. 1955)

1885 – Chester W. Nimitz, American admiral (d. 1966)

1925 – Bud Day, American colonel and pilot, Medal of Honor recipient (d. 2013)

1938 – American businessman and philanthropist Phil Knight co-founded Nike, Inc.

1942 – Joe Lieberman, American lawyer and politician

1955 – Steve Jobs, American businessman, co-founded Apple Computer and Pixar (d. 2011)

1977 – Floyd Mayweather Jr., American boxer

 

 

Holiday Spotlight

Hindus consider the Magha month the most significant of all the months in the Hindu calendar. While celebrating Maghi Purnima, devotees fast, dip in holy waters, donate to charitable causes, and offer prayers to gods like Vishnu and Hanuman. Hindus believe this holy bath, taken in certain rivers like the Ganges (Ganga), Yamuna, Kaveri, and so on, is very providential. Hindu mythology also states that Lord Vishnu resides in the river Ganga today, and even touching the waters can benefit people. That, plus the prayers being offered on this day, make their wishes almost sure to come true, believe most devotees.

People across India have varied customs across regions. The southern state of Tamil Nadu hosts a unique ‘float’ festival each year. Decorated idols of their gods, Meenakshi and Lord Sundeshwara, are mounted on floats. North India (cities like Allahabad and Prayag) holds a Magha Mela (a sizeable religious fair) annually at the confluence of three major rivers — Ganges (Ganga), Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati River.

Apart from its religious significance, this day is also essential regarding astrology. The moon moves into the Cancer constellation as the sun moves to the Capricorn sign. The holy dip negates all problems arising from the sun and the moon, and the month helps people adjust to changing seasons. People find strength and power to face the following season.

Another reason Maghi Purnima is so important is that followers of Buddhism believe Lord Buddha announced his impending death on this day. Legend says there was an earthquake as soon as he said the words, as though this news shook the Earth. His followers believe the Earth shook just this way when Buddha was born, he received enlightenment (became the religious leader the world knows), and when he passed away. On this day, Buddhists conduct religious ceremonies, prayers are made to Buddha, and offerings are given to the unfortunate. Multiple Buddhist villages across India organize fairs and events to celebrate Buddha.

 

Others Include.

Forget Me Not Day

International Sword Swallowers Day

International Tongue Twister Day

National Dance Day

National Tortilla Chip Day

National Trading Card Day

Open that Bottle Night

Twin Peaks Day

World Bartender Day

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