This Day In History, August 24

Here are some notable events that occurred on this day throughout history. 

79 – Mount Vesuvius in Italy erupts, burying the cities of Pompeii and little known Herculaneum under volcanic ash. Thousands die.

1814 – The war of 1812 is still raging with the British, and on this day the red coats capture Washington D.C. and set the city ablaze, including the first White House. (The History of England, by Paul de Rapin-Thoyras)

1821 – The treaty of Cordoba is signed by Spanish Viceroy Juan de O’Donoju, approving a plan to make Mexico a constitutional monarchy.

1989 – Baseball great Pete Rose is banned for life over gambling allegations. (AP)

1995 – Windows 95 is launched. (microsoft-news.com)

2006 – Pluto is demoted from being a planet to being a dwarf planet. Back in July the New Horizons spacecraft gave us the first up-close view of Pluto. (NASA)

2006 – Hall-Of-Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice signs a one-day contract with the San Francisco 49ers to officially retire from the NFL. (AP)