GMT

Today in History: February 24

786 Pepin the Short of Gaul dies. His dominions are divided between his sons Charles (Charlemagne) and Carloman.

1803 Chief Justice John Marshall, by refusing to rule on the case of Marbury vs. Madison, asserts the authority of the judicial branch.

1813 Off Guiana, the American sloop Hornet sinks the British sloop Peacock.

1836 Some 3,000 Mexicans launch an assault on the Alamo with its 182 Texan defenders.

1908 Japan officially agrees to restrict emigration to the U.S.

1916 A film version of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea opens in New York.

1944 Merrill's Marauders, a specially trained group of American soldiers, begin their ground campaign against Japan into Burma.

1991 General Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of the coalition army, sends in ground forces during the Gulf War.


Born on February 24


1885 Chester Nimitz, U.S. admiral who commanded naval forces in the Pacific during WWII.


JOTD


I persuaded my girlfriend to smuggle my coke through customs by sticking it up her arse.

I didn't know I could buy another can in the departure lounge.