Europa
- 1916 – World War I: Battle of Verdun
German forces captured Fort Douaumont, a critical part of the French defenses, without resistance. This event marked a pivotal moment in one of the war’s longest and bloodiest battles. - 1918 – World War I: German occupation of Estonia
German troops captured Tallinn, effectively completing the occupation of Estonia during the final year of World War I. - 1921 – Soviet Occupation of Georgia
The capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, fell to invading Russian (Bolshevik) forces after heavy fighting. This led to the declaration of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic and marked the end of Georgia’s brief independence. - 1932 – Adolf Hitler obtains German citizenship
After being stateless for seven years, Hitler gained German citizenship by being appointed a Brunswick state official. This allowed him to run for president in the 1932 German election, a crucial step in his rise to power. - 1941 – February Strike in Amsterdam
The outlawed Communist Party of the Netherlands organized a general strike in German-occupied Amsterdam to protest against the Nazi persecution of Dutch Jews. This was a significant act of resistance during the Holocaust. - 1947 – Abolition of Prussia
The Allied Control Council formally proclaimed the abolition of Prussia, ending the existence of a state that had dominated Central European politics for centuries. - 1570 – Excommunication of Queen Elizabeth I
Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth I of England, deepening the religious divide between Catholicism and Protestantism in Europe. - 1831 – Battle of Olszynka Grochowska
Part of the Polish November Uprising against the Russian Empire, this battle was one of the largest of the uprising, reflecting Poland’s struggle for independence.
America
- 1779 – Surrender of Fort Sackville at Vincennes, Indiana:
Lieutenant Colonel George Rogers Clark captured Fort Sackville from British forces, a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War that helped secure the Northwest Territory for the United States. - 1836 – Samuel Colt patents the revolver:
Samuel Colt was granted a U.S. patent for his revolving-cylinder firearm, revolutionizing personal weaponry and having a lasting impact on American industry and the West. - 1863 – Establishment of the National Bank Act:
The U.S. Congress passed the National Bank Act, creating a system of nationally chartered banks and a new currency, “greenbacks,” which shaped the country’s financial system. - 1870 – Hiram Rhodes Revels sworn in as U.S. Senator:
Hiram Rhodes Revels of Mississippi became the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress, marking a milestone in American political history during the Reconstruction era. - 1913 – 16th Amendment declared in effect:
The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, allowing Congress to levy an income tax, was officially declared in effect. - 1933 – Launch of the USS Ranger:
The USS Ranger, the first U.S. Navy ship designed from the start as an aircraft carrier, was launched, marking a significant development in naval aviation. - 1964 – Muhammad Ali wins heavyweight boxing title:
Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) defeated Sonny Liston in Miami Beach to become world heavyweight boxing champion for the first time, a landmark in sports and civil rights history. - 1976 – U.S. Supreme Court rules on employment of illegal aliens:
The Supreme Court ruled that states may ban the hiring of illegal aliens, influencing immigration and labor policy. - 1991 – Gulf War: Scud missile attack:
During the Persian Gulf War, 28 American soldiers were killed when an Iraqi Scud missile struck a U.S. barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. - 1991 – End of the Gulf War:
The Gulf War ended, with coalition forces led by the United States successfully liberating Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.
Asia
- 1986 – People Power Revolution in the Philippines:
On this day, President Ferdinand Marcos fled the Philippines after a fraudulent election, ending his 20-year rule. Corazon Aquino was sworn in as the country’s first female president, marking a peaceful transition of power through a popular uprising known as the People Power Revolution. This event is considered a landmark for democracy not only in the Philippines but also in Asia as a whole. - 1994 – Cave of the Patriarchs Massacre (Hebron, West Bank):
Baruch Goldstein, an American-Israeli extremist, killed 29–30 unarmed Palestinian worshippers in the Mosque of Abraham (Cave of the Patriarchs). While the event occurred in the Middle East, its impact reverberated across Asia and the world, drawing widespread condemnation. - 1954 – Gamal Abdel Nasser becomes Premier of Egypt:
Nasser’s rise marked a turning point in Middle Eastern and Asian politics, eventually leading to the nationalization of the Suez Canal and the Non-Aligned Movement. - 805 – Death of Emperor Dezong of Tang (China):
Emperor Dezong, a significant ruler of the Tang Dynasty, died on this day, marking the end of an era in Chinese imperial history.
Africa
- 1965 – Archbishop Owen McCann becomes South Africa’s first cardinal:
On this day, Archbishop Owen McCann of Cape Town was appointed the first cardinal from South Africa, marking a significant milestone for the Catholic Church in the country. - 1934 – Unveiling of the Cape Corps Memorial in Kimberley, South Africa:
The Cape Corps Memorial, honoring the contributions and sacrifices of the Cape Corps (a South African military unit composed primarily of people of color), was unveiled by General Jan Smuts. The Corps played a distinguished role in World War I, particularly in East Africa and Palestine. - 1948 – Death of Dr. Alex du Toit:
Dr. Alex du Toit, a renowned geologist and De Beers’ first geologist, passed away. He was instrumental in advancing geological science in South Africa. - 1927 – Start of the diamond rush to Grootfontein, near Lichtenburg, Transvaal:
This event marked the beginning of a significant diamond rush in South Africa, contributing to the country’s economic and mining history. - 2021 – Violent attacks in Nigeria, Central African Republic, and Mali:
On this date, gunmen attacked villages in Kaduna and Katsina States, Nigeria, killing 36 people. In the Central African Republic, at least 14 people were killed at a religious site in Bambari amid ongoing conflict. In Mali, nine soldiers were killed and nine wounded during clashes with armed groups in Bandiagara. - 2014 – Boko Haram attack in Nigeria:
On 25 February 2014, Boko Haram killed 50 students in a school in Buni, Northern Nigeria, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region.
This day in history: 25 february