It’s Sunday, Feb. 24, the 55th day of 2013. There are 310 days left in the year.
History
Highlight: In 1868, the House of Representatives impeached President Andrew Johnson following his attempted dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton; Johnson was later acquitted by the Senate.
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued a papal bull, or edict, outlining his calendar reforms. (The Gregorian Calendar is the calendar in general use today.)
In 1803, in Marbury v. Madison, 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, the German Workers Party, which later became the Nazi Party, met in Munich to adopt its platform.
In 1938, the first nylon bristle toothbrush, manufactured by DuPont under the name “Dr. West’s Miracle Toothbrush," went on sale. (Previously, toothbrush bristles were made from animal hair.)
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 $150,000 award that the Rev. Jerry Falwell had won against Hustler magazine and publisher Larry Flynt.
Ten 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.
Five years ago: “No Country for Old Men" won Academy Awards for best picture, best director and best screenplay adaptation, and best supporting actor for Javier Bardem; Daniel Day-Lewis won best actor for “There Will Be Blood." Cuba’s parliament named Raul Castro president, ending nearly 50 years of rule by his brother Fidel.
One year ago: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in Tunisia for a conference on Syria, blasted Russia and China as “despicable" for opposing U.N. action aimed at stopping the bloodshed in Syria. Jan Berenstain, 88, who with her husband, Stan, wrote and illustrated the Berenstain Bears books, died in Solebury, Pa.
Happenings
The Oscars — The climax of Hollywood’s awards season (oh, and the answer to Saturday’s Razzie “winners") airs tonight starting at 4 p.m.
Spending — Guests on the Sunday talk shows will attempt to explain the “sequestration" cuts set to kick in this week.
Catholic Church — Pope Benedict XVI delivers his final Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Square.
Europe — Voters in Italy and Cyprus, two countries battered by the Continent’s debt crisis, go the polls.
Birthdays
Actor Abe Vigoda is 92. Actor Steven Hill is 91. Actress Emmanuelle Riva is 86. Opera singer-director Renata Scotto is 79. Former Sen. Joseph Lieberman is 71. Actor Barry Bostwick is 68. Actor Edward James Olmos is 66. Singer-writer-producer Rupert Holmes is 66. Actress Helen Shaver is 62. News anchor Paula Zahn is 57. Country singer Sammy Kershaw is 55. Actor Mark Moses is 55. Singer Michelle Shocked is 51. Movie director Todd Field is 49. Actor Billy Zane is 47. Actress Bonnie Somerville is 39. Rock musician Matt McGinley (Gym Class Heroes) is 30. Actor Wilson Bethel is 29.
— From wire reports
