This Day in History: August 24

2006 Pluto is Declassified as a Planet

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) no longer designated Pluto as a planet and categorized it as a dwarf planet. As per the IAU's definition, a dwarf planet doesn't qualify as a planet or a natural satellite but is a celestial object that orbits a star, and is large enough to be shaped by its gravity yet hasn't cleared out orbital debris. Pluto, discovered by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, is the largest dwarf planet in our solar system, though not the most massive- that title belongs to Eris.

1991 Ukraine gains its independence

After the unsuccessful coup to depose Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, Ukraine became independent from the Soviet Union. Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, approved the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine and allowed public input through a referendum. Ukraine commemorates its Independence Day annually on August 24th.

1949 NATO is Established

The North Atlantic Treaty, which spurred the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an international military alliance, went into effect on this day. The Treaty, inked on April 4, 1949, in Washington DC, birthed a collective defense agreement wherein an attack on one member is viewed as an attack on all. Initially, 12 countries signed the treaty. Today, the initial 12 has ballooned to 28.

1869 The Waffle Iron is Patented in the United States

A resident of Troy, New York, Cornelius Swartwout, invented and obtained a patent for the waffle iron, a tool utilized to cook waffles. His blueprint for the waffle iron entailed two iron plates bound by hinges. The user would pour waffle batter on one plate, cover it with the other plate, and then cook it over an open fire or on a wood-burning oven. This day is celebrated as National Waffle Day in the United States.

1814 The British Burn Down Washington

British military forces, commanded by Major General Robert Ross, took over Washington D.C. and set fire to many landmarks, including the Presidential Mansion and the Capitol building. President Madison and several government officials fled the city seeking safety in Brookeville, Maryland. The British had control over the city for 24 hours only, but a thunderstorm forced their retreat, allowing the Americans to regain control.

79 Mt. Vesuvius Eruption

Previously thought to have occurred in 79 AD, Mt. Vesuvius underwent a massive eruption that buried cities like Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, and Stabiae, resulting in an enormous loss of life. However, new evidence suggests that the eruption might have taken place after October 17.

410 Fall of the Western Roman Empire

For the first time in nearly 800 years, Rome was invaded by Visigoths under Alaric I, marking the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

1516 The Battle of Marj Dabiq

The Ottoman forces won a decisive victory over the Mamluk Sultanate in the Battle of Marj Dabiq.

1572 St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

The St. Bartholomew's Day massacre began in Paris and then spread to the French provinces. During this event, Protestants were executed en masse by Roman Catholics.

1662 Act of Uniformity

The Act of Uniformity, which required the English people to accept the Book of Common Prayer, was enacted.

1814 British Forces Capture Washington, D.C

British forces invaded Washington, D.C., capturing the city and destroying many landmarks during the War of 1812.

1968 France Becomes Fifth Thermonuclear Power

France became the world's fifth thermonuclear power following a detonation on Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific.