February 24 has seen pivotal court decisions, revolutionary discoveries, and the rise and fall of empires.
Roman Emperor Galerius issued the first anti-Christian edict of the Great Persecution, ordering the destruction of churches and sacred texts. This began the most severe persecution in early Christian history.
Spanish and Imperial forces decisively defeated the French army at Pavia, Italy, capturing King Francis I. The battle marked the beginning of Spanish-Habsburg dominance in Europe.
The U.S. Supreme Court decided Marbury v. Madison, establishing the principle of judicial review. Chief Justice John Marshall's opinion gave courts the power to strike down unconstitutional laws.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act. Johnson was later acquitted by the Senate by a single vote.
The German Workers' Party was renamed the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party) in Munich. Adolf Hitler would take control of the party the following year.
Buckingham Palace announced the engagement of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer. Their wedding that July was watched by an estimated 750 million television viewers worldwide.
Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, escalating the conflict that had begun in 2014. The invasion triggered the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.