In History, Today on February 25

Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues with battles taking place across various parts of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the nation, emphasizing the resistance against the Russian military offensive.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunges 879 points, marking one of the largest single-day point drops in history, amid fears of the COVID-19 pandemic's economic impact.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) abducts at least 220 Assyrian Christians from villages in northeastern Syria.

The European Union imposes sanctions on Libya in response to the violent crackdown on anti-government protests by Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

Viktor Yanukovych is inaugurated as President of Ukraine, marking a significant political shift in the country.

Fidel Castro retires as the President of Cuba, ending nearly 50 years of rule, and his brother Raúl Castro is elected as the new president.

The United States lifts a ban on travel to Libya, signaling a thaw in relations after Libya renounces weapons of mass destruction.

Sergei Kiriyenko was appointed as the acting Prime Minister of Russia by President Boris Yeltsin.

Baruch Goldstein, an American-Israeli physician, opened fire on a group of Palestinian Muslims praying at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, killing 29 people and injuring 125.

The Warsaw Pact, a military alliance of communist nations in Eastern Europe, was declared disbanded at a meeting in Hungary.

The People Power Revolution in the Philippines culminated with the ousting of President Ferdinand Marcos and the inauguration of Corazon Aquino as president.

Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) defeated Sonny Liston to win the world heavyweight boxing title, marking the start of his legendary career.

Nikita Khrushchev delivered the 'Secret Speech' at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, denouncing the cult of personality and dictatorship of Joseph Stalin.

The first Pan American Games Pan American games opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The State of Prussia was officially abolished by the Allied Control Council, marking the end of a significant historical state in Germany.

In the Battle of the Java Sea, British and Dutch ships are sunk by Japanese forces, marking a significant naval battle during the Pacific campaign of World War II.

The Soviet Red Army occupied Tbilisi, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Georgia, effectively ending its independence and establishing a Soviet government.

J.P. Morgan incorporated the United States Steel Corporation, which became the world's first billion-dollar corporation.

Enrico Caruso, one of the most famous operatic tenors in history, was born in Naples, Italy. He later became a leading figure in opera and a pioneer in recorded music.

Hiram Rhodes Revels was sworn into the United States Senate, becoming the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress.

The Legal Tender Act of 1862 was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, which authorized the issuance of paper money by the United States government, commonly known as 'greenbacks.'

Samuel Colt received a United States patent for the Colt revolver, a firearm that would become a significant tool in the American West and military history.

George Washington holds the first Cabinet meeting as the President of the United States.

In the American Revolutionary War, British forces surrender to American troops in the Battle of Vincennes.

Frederick I of Prussia, the first King in Prussia, dies and is succeeded by his son Frederick William I.

Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, is executed for treason following his unsuccessful rebellion against Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Pope Pius V excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I of England through the papal bull 'Regnans in Excelsis', declaring her a heretic and releasing her subjects from allegiance to her.

Pope Adrian IV issues the papal bull Laudabiliter, which grants the English king Henry II the right to invade and govern Ireland as a means of bringing the Irish church into closer alignment with England under the context of papal authority. This event is part of the English crown's efforts to extend its control over Ireland.

Odoacer, a Germanic chieftain who became the first non-Roman ruler of Italy after deposing the last Roman emperor Romulus Augustulus, is assassinated by Theodoric the Great at a banquet, marking the consolidation of Ostrogothic control over Italy.

The Scottish Parliament meets at Scone.