Pope Pius V excommunicates Queen Elizabeth I of England, on February 25, 1570, with the papal bull "Regnans in Excelsis." for heresy and persecution of English Catholics during her reign, He also absolved her subjects from allegiance to the crown.
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On This Day in History: February 25
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on February 25th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Sir Christopher Wren, the English architect, mathematician and astronomer dies on February 25, 1723 at the age of 90. He is best known for rebuilding London after the Great Fire of 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral.
The U.S. Congress Passed the "Legal Tender Act" on February 25, 1862, authorizing $150 million in federal paper money to help fund the Civil War without relying solely on gold/silver reserves. It mandated that the notes were deemed lawful money for all debts, public and private, except for customs duties and interest on public debt.
The act was initially challenged, the Supreme Court later ruled the act a legitimate exercise of congressional power during wartime. The Act was the first of three, which all together increased the total authorized circulation to $450 million. The Legal Tender Act, intended as an emergency measure, dramatically extended federal power and changed the nation’s monetary standard. The U.S. notes, which were printed with green ink on one side. were nicknamed by the public as "Greenbacks". Salmon P. Chase, Lincoln's Treasury Secretary's likeness was used on the first one dollar bill printed in 1862.
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Hiram R. Revels, a Republican minister from Mississippi, becomes the first African American to serve in either chamber of the U.S. Congress He was sworn in on February 25, 1870, to fill the Senate seat once held by Jefferson Davis. He served until March 1871.
Rhodes faced intense opposition from Democrats who argued he was not a citizen, his seating marked a significant milestone. He went on to become the first president of Alcorn State University. More
J.P. Morgan incorporates the United States Steel Corporation on February 25, 1901, by merging Carnegie Steel Company with Federal Steel Company and others; creating the worlds first billion-dollar corporation, controlling two-thirds of U.S. steel production.
The 1948 Czechoslovak Coup D'état completes its take over on February 25, 1948 as the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia assumes undisputed control over the government, beginning four decades of Communist rule. More
Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, escapes his country with his family for Hawaii on February 25, 1986, via U.S. Air Force planes after a fraudulent electoral victory over Corazon Aquino. His departure ended his 20-year rule and allowed Corazon Aquino to assume the Presidency.
When the Marcos family arrived in Hawaii they carried significant, undeclared wealth and after Ferdinand Marcos's death1989, the remaining members of the family were allowed to return to the Philippines to face various corruption charges in 1992. However, they were able to return to political power that same year, to the dismay of many Filipino people, with the election of Bongbong Marcos (Son of Ferdinand E. Marcos) as congressman for the second district of Ilocos Norte. He was elected to president of the Philippines in June 30, 2022.