TODAY IN HISTORY | February 24th

TODAY’S TOPICS

• 1836 - Alamo Defenders Call For Help

• 1942 - The Battle of Los Angeles

  Extras

  The Sphynx Truth 👃

  Stylish Pirate 🏴‍☠️

  Pet Dwarf 👑

  Spartan Baby 👶🏻

1836 Alamo Defenders Call For Help🇲🇽

By February 1836, things weren’t looking great for the defenders of the Alamo. Trapped inside the fortress in San Antonio, a ragtag group of Texan revolutionaries, including legends like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, found themselves staring down the formidable Mexican army led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Outnumbered, outgunned, and very much aware of their likely fate, the defenders did what any self-respecting rebels would do—they sent a desperate plea for reinforcements.

On February 24, 1836, Colonel William B. Travis penned one of the most famous letters in American history, the "Victory or Death" letter. In it, he called upon "the people of Texas and all Americans in the world" to come to their aid, promising that they would never surrender or retreat. The message was full of bravado, patriotism, and a clear understanding that they probably weren’t making it out alive. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.

Despite the courage displayed in the letter, help never arrived in time. The Mexican army launched a full-scale assault on March 6, overwhelming the defenders and leaving no survivors among the combatants. While the Alamo itself was a crushing defeat, the dramatic stand became a rallying cry for Texan independence, with "Remember the Alamo!" fueling future victories against Mexico.

Travis’ letter remains a symbol of resistance and sacrifice, proving that sometimes history’s greatest moments come from hopeless situations. Even though no one answered the Alamo’s call for help in time, their message of defiance still echoes through American folklore.

🤖 Ai Depiction of Event

1942 The Battle of Los Angeles

In the middle of World War II, America was on high alert, fearing attacks from Japanese forces after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. So when mysterious objects appeared in the skies over Los Angeles on the night of February 24-25, 1942, the U.S. military did what any highly trained defense force would do—they panicked and opened fire on absolutely nothing.

The so-called "Battle of Los Angeles" began when unidentified flying objects were spotted over the city. Air raid sirens blared, anti-aircraft guns fired over 1,400 rounds into the night sky, and terrified citizens took cover. The chaos lasted for several hours, and when the smoke cleared, there was no sign of an enemy attack—just some property damage and a 5 unfortunate casualties in which 2 died of a heart attack and 3 others from wrecking their vehicles as they watched the sky.

The U.S. government later blamed the whole incident on a case of wartime jitters, suggesting that weather balloons or misidentified aircraft triggered the false alarm. Conspiracy theorists, however, had other ideas. Some believed it was a government cover-up for an actual attack, while UFO enthusiasts insisted that aliens had paid Los Angeles a visit only to be met with hostility. (Classic humans.)

Regardless of what really happened, the "Battle of Los Angeles" remains one of history’s most bizarre military blunders. It perfectly encapsulates the paranoia of wartime America and stands as a cautionary tale about what happens when you mix high-stress situations with itchy trigger fingers.

🤖 Ai Depiction of Event

Extra History

The Sphynx Truth 👃
One of history’s biggest myths is that Napoleon’s soldiers blew off the Great Sphinx’s nose in 1799 during target practice. But—plot twist!—the nose was already missing centuries before Napoleon even arrived in Egypt. Sketches of the Sphinx from the 1730s (decades before Napoleon’s campaign) show it noseless. Historians believe it was likely chiseled off in the 14th century by a religious leader who saw it as a symbol of idolatry. So while Napoleon left his mark on history, his troops weren’t the ones who gave the Sphinx its famous "no-nose" look.

Stylish Pirate 🏴‍☠️
Most pirates stole gold, rum, or treasure, but Benjamin Hornigold? He had a different target: hats. One day, after a wild night of partying, Hornigold’s crew lost their hats to the wind—so naturally, they did what any reasonable pirate would do: raided ships just to steal replacements. They’d board, demand everyone’s hats, and sail away, leaving the cargo untouched.

Pet Dwarf 👑
In medieval and Renaissance Europe, some royals kept pet dwarfs—not as equals, but as “living dolls” or court entertainers. These individuals were often taken from their families as children and kept in palaces, where they were dressed in extravagant outfits and treated as curiosities. While some court dwarfs gained status and influence, others were mocked, paraded around, or even forced into bizarre performances. Figures like Jeffrey Hudson, who served Queen Henrietta Maria of England, even fought in duels and wars.

Spartan Baby 👶🏻
In ancient Sparta, being born didn’t guarantee survival. Every newborn was inspected by elders, and if they weren’t deemed strong and healthy enough, they were abandoned on a hillside—a brutal practice meant to ensure a warrior society of only the fittest. Those who passed the test still weren’t in for an easy ride—by age 7, boys were sent to the agoge, a brutal military training program where they learned to fight, steal, and endure hardship. Even their education was mostly about warfare and survival.

If you enjoy this edition of Today In History be sure to send it to a friend and force them to sign up because that’s what good friends do. Until next time, stay curious, question everything, and keep uncovering the mysteries of the past. - Zach⛺️