On this day

24 February in history.

5 moments from 1582 to 2011: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Depicted person: Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor – first female Member of Parliament to take her seat (1879-1964)

1920

A woman speaks in the House of Commons. Nancy Astor gave her first speech in the British Parliament. She was the first woman to take her seat as a member.

Wikipedia: Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor

Photo: Bassano Ltd / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 24 February

  1. Pope Gregory XIII

    1582

    A new calendar is announced

    Pope Gregory XIII announced a reformed calendar to fix the drift of the old one. The Gregorian calendar is now used almost everywhere.

    Wikipedia: Gregorian calendarWikipedia: Inter gravissimas

    Photo: Attributed to Bartolomeo Passarotti / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Claudio Monteverdi

    1607

    One of the first operas

    Claudio Monteverdi's L'Orfeo, about the musician Orpheus, was first performed in Mantua. It is still staged more than 400 years later.

    Wikipedia: L'OrfeoWikipedia: Claudio Monteverdi

    Photo: Bernardo Strozzi / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Estonia, Pärnu - Celebration of declaration of independence (on previous day)

    1918

    Estonia declares independence

    Estonia declared itself a free, independent country. The day is still celebrated as its Independence Day.

    Wikipedia: Estonian Declaration of Independence

    Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Space Shuttle Discovery

    2011

    Discovery's last launch

    Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off for the final time, ending a career of 39 missions, more than any other spacecraft.

    Wikipedia: Space Shuttle DiscoveryWikipedia: STS-133

    Photo: NASA / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.