This week in American history marks a transition from the final winter skirmishes of the 19th century to the groundbreaking cultural and political shifts of the modern era. It is a period characterized by legislative breakthroughs like the first Civil Rights Act and the admission of several states into the Union, alongside cultural milestones that reshaped American entertainment and social identity.
February 24
- Andrew Johnson Impeached (1868): For the first time in U.S. history, the House of Representatives voted to impeach a sitting president. Johnson was charged with “high crimes and misdemeanors” following his attempt to remove Secretary of War Edwin Stanton in violation of the Tenure of Office Act.
- The Ground War of Operation Desert Storm Begins (1991): After weeks of aerial bombardment, U.S.-led coalition forces launched a massive ground assault into Kuwait and Iraq to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation, leading to a swift victory.
February 25
- The 16th Amendment is Ratified (1913): This amendment was officially certified, granting Congress the power to levy a federal income tax without apportioning it among the states, fundamentally changing how the American government is funded.
- The First National Bank is Chartered (1791): President George Washington signed the bill creating the First Bank of the United States, a cornerstone of Alexander Hamilton’s fiscal policy designed to stabilize the young nation’s economy.
February 26
- The Grand Canyon Becomes a National Park (1919): President Woodrow Wilson signed the act establishing the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, ensuring federal protection for one of the world’s most significant natural wonders.
- The World Trade Center Bombing (1993): A truck bomb was detonated in the underground garage of the North Tower in New York City. The attack killed six people and injured over a thousand, serving as a chilling precursor to future acts of terrorism.
February 27
- The 19th Amendment is Upheld (1922): The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously dismissed a challenge to the 19th Amendment in Leser v. Garnett, firmly securing the constitutional right of women to vote in all American elections.
- The Battle of the Java Sea (1942): During World War II, a joint American, British, Dutch, and Australian (ABDA) naval force engaged the Japanese in a major sea battle. Though a defeat for the Allies, it highlighted American commitment to the Pacific Theater.
February 28
- The Republican Party is Founded (1854): Anti-slavery activists and former members of the Whig Party met in Ripon, Wisconsin, to form a new political party dedicated to stopping the expansion of slavery into U.S. territories.
- The “MASH” Series Finale (1983): The final episode of the television series aired, becoming the most-watched scripted episode in American history with 106 million viewers, reflecting the show’s deep cultural impact following the Vietnam War.
March 1
- Nebraska Admitted to the Union (1867): Nebraska became the 37th state to join the United States. It was the first state admitted to the Union over a presidential veto (by Andrew Johnson).
- The Peace Corps Established (1961): President John F. Kennedy issued an executive order creating the Peace Corps, an initiative designed to promote world peace and friendship by sending American volunteers to assist in developing nations.
March 2
- The Texas Declaration of Independence (1836): Delegates meeting at Washington-on-the-Brazos formally declared Texas independent from Mexico, giving birth to the Republic of Texas and forever changing the map of the American West.
- The First Civil Rights Act is Passed (1867): Congress passed the first of several Reconstruction Acts (often referred to as the Civil Rights Act of 1867), which divided the former Confederacy into military districts and set requirements for readmission to the Union, including the protection of civil rights.
