It’s speculated that February 24, 1756, was among the dates when then Colonel George Washington remained several days in New York and was the guest of Beverly Robinson, Esq., at whose house he met, and fell in love with a Mary Philipse (shown). Historians debate the seriousness of the relationship between Mary Philipse and George Washington, but letters from a mutual connection indicate that there was some romantic interest between them. Two years later Mary married a British officer named Roger Morris who, like George Washington, was also a French and Indian War veteran. The couple built the extant Morris–Jumel Mansion in Manhattan in 1765 which wasn’t completed until 1770. Upon realizing that their property was in jeopardy, Roger returned to England to seek protection. Because of their loyalty to the crown Mary and her family fled their home which was eventually confiscated during the Revolutionary War. Mary, Roger and their children would relocate and settle in England. In an interesting twist of fate the Morris–Jumel Mansion became George Washington’s temporary headquarters during the fall of 1776. Drawing of Mary Philipse Morris via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

Laying tracks on the extreme front of Prescott and Eastern Railroad in Arizona Territory, c. 1898 On February 24, 1863, Arizona was organized as a U.S. Territory. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

Thomas Alva Edison in his laboratory on February 24, 1911 Image via LOC, no known restrictions –>

Born February 24, 1836, Winslow Homer learned painting techniques from his artist mother, then apprenticed as a lithographer in his teens. He went on to paint soldier life in the Civil War, pastoral scenes, seascapes, and life in 19th century America. Many of his works can be viewed online. Image by Napoleon Sarony, Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US. –>

Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata, Washington state. On February 24, 1909, Grant County was founded by legislators in Washington state and was formed out of Douglas County. The county was named in honor of Ulysses S. Grant. Image: Steven and Nadine Pavlov / http://lovingwa.blogspot.com / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons –>

Ensign Chester W. Nimitz on a U.S. Navy training ship c. 1907 Chester W. Nimitz, the U.S. Navy’s last active Fleet Admiral, was born on February 24, 1885, in Fredericksburg, Texas. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La is christened by Mrs. Josephine “Joe” E. Doolittle, wife of U.S. Army Air Forces Major General James H. Doolittle, during launching ceremonies at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia February 24, 1944 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

Members of an all-African American company walking in rows during an infantry drill at the First Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps Training Center in Des Moines, Iowa February 24, 1943 Image via NYPL Digital Collections, public domain –>

Eight-time National League batting champion, Honus Wagner, was born on February 24, 1874 in Chartiers Borough, Pennsylvania. Image from 1905 by Penfield, New York: National Police Gazette public domain via Wikimedia Commons –>

On February 24, 1813, U.S. Navy Captain James Lawrence and crew of the USS Hornet sank the HMS Peacock off the coast of Guyana in South America. Portrait painting of Captain James Lawrence via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

The first successful launch of a combined German V-2 and American WAC Corporal rocket (also known as a Bumber WAC rocket) on February 24, 1949. The two-stage “Bumper 5” rocket traveled to a height of over 240 miles into the air. It’s considered the first time that a U.S. rocket traveled into space. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

On February 24, 1917, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Walter Hines Page, reported to President Woodrow Wilson findings made by British intelligence. The “Zimmerman Telegram” intercepted earlier by British agents, revealed that Germany offered Mexico a reward of returning Texas, New Mexico and Arizona if they became an ally. Image of Walter Hines Page via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

WWII veteran Abe Vigoda who played the role of Phil Fish on the TV sitcom Barney Miller was born on February 24, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

Some of the central figures in the Bush Administration being briefed by General Colin Powell during the Gulf War. February 24, 1991 Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

U.S. Army Brigadier General Telford Taylor, who served as lead counsel for the prosecution in the 12 subsequent Nuremberg trials, was born on February 24, 1908 in Schenectady, New York. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

Full-length portrait of President Abraham Lincoln seated next to small table, February 24, 1861 Image via LOC, no known restrictions –>