Today in History

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 24, the 55th day of 2015. There are 310 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Feb. 24, 1975, the Congressional Budget Office, charged with providing independent analyses of budgetary and economic issues, began operating under its first director, Alice Rivlin.

On this date:

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued an edict outlining his calendar reforms. (The Gregorian Calendar is the calendar in general use today.)

In 1803, in its Marbury v. Madison decision, the Supreme Court established judicial review of the constitutionality of statutes.

In 1815, American engineer and inventor Robert Fulton, credited with building the first successful commercial steamboat, died in New York at 49.

In 1868, the U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Andrew Johnson following his attempted dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton; Johnson was later acquitted by the Senate.

In 1912, the American Jewish women's organization Hadassah was founded in New York City.

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.

In 1946, Argentinian men went to the polls to elect Juan D. Peron their president.

In 1988, in a ruling that expanded legal protections for parody and satire, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned a $150,000 award that the Rev. Jerry Falwell had won against Hustler magazine and publisher Larry Flynt.

In 1990, magazine publisher Malcolm Forbes died in Far Hills, New Jersey, at age 70. Fifties balladeer Johnnie Ray died in Los Angeles at age 63.

Ten years ago: Pope John Paul II underwent an operation to insert a tube in his throat to relieve breathing problems, hours after being rushed to the hospital for the second time in a month with flu-like symptoms.

Five years ago: Testifying before Congress, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda apologized personally and repeatedly to the United States and millions of American Toyota owners for safety lapses that had led to deaths and widespread recalls. Trainer Dawn Brancheau was dragged to her death by a killer whale, Tilikum, at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida.

One year ago: Despite Western pressure, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed an anti-gay bill that punished gay sex with up to life in prison. Writer-director-actor Harold Ramis, 69, died in Glencoe, Illinois. "Late Night with Seth Meyers" premiered on NBC.

Thought for Today: "The house of every one is to him as his castle and fortress, as well for his defence against injury and violence as for his repose." — Sir Edward Coke, English jurist (1552-1634).

(Above Advance for Use Tuesday, Feb. 24)