TODAY IN HISTORY-THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2011

Today is Thursday, Feb. 24, the 55th day of 2011. There are 310 days left in the year.

Today in History: Highlight in History: On Feb. 24, 1803, the Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison ruled itself the final interpreter of constitutional issues. AP Photo
On this date in: 1582 Pope Gregory XIII issued a papal bull outlining his calendar reforms. (The Gregorian Calendar is the calendar in general use today.) 1821 Mexico declared its independence from Spain. 1863 Arizona was organized as a territory. 1868 The House of Representatives impeached President Andrew Johnson following his attempt to dismiss Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton; the Senate later acquitted Johnson. 1903 The United States signed an agreement acquiring a naval station at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. 1920 The German Workers Party, which later became the Nazi Party, met in Munich to adopt its platform. 1942 The Voice of America went on the air for the first time. 1945 American soldiers liberated the Philippine capital of Manila from Japanese control during World War II. 1981 Buckingham Palace announced the engagement of Britain's Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer. AP Photo 1998 Comedian Henny Youngman died at age 91. 1999 Lauryn Hill won five Grammys for her debut solo album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." 2006 South Dakota lawmakers approved a ban on nearly all abortions. 2006 NASA said 2005 was the warmest year in more than a century of record-keeping. 2008 Cuba's parliament named Raul Castro president, ending nearly 50 years of rule by his brother Fidel.		Today's Birthdays: Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., turns 69 years old today. AP Photo/Alex Brandon Name Profession Age Abe Vigoda Actor ("Fish," "Barney Miller") 90 Steven Hill Actor ("Law and Order") 89 Dominic Chianese Actor, singer ("The Sopranos") 80 Zell Miller Former Georgia governor and senator 79 James Farentino Actor 73 Barry Bostwick Actor ("Spin City") 66 Edward James Olmos Actor 64 George Thorogood Rock singer, musician 61 Debra Jo Rupp Actress ("That '70s Show") 60 Fred Dean Fooball Hall of Famer 59 Eddie Murray Baseball Hall of Famer 55 Michelle Shocked Rock singer 49 Billy Zane Actor 45 Mike Lowell Baseball player 37 Lleyton Hewitt Tennis player 30 Broadcast journalist Paula Zahn turns 55 years old today. AP Photo/Evan Agostini

Thought for Today: "The house of every one is to him as his castle and fortress, as well for his defence against injury and violence as for his repose." — Sir Edward Coke, English jurist (1552-1634).

“A Prayer For Enduring Trials”

Father, though I am called to go through many hardships, there isn’t one that I face alone.  For in my weakness You are made strong, in my folly You are the God of infinite wisdom, and in my fear I take hold of the hope offered to me which is firm and secure.  You will not abandon the work of Your hands but fulfill Your purpose for me as You strengthen, sustain, and instruct me during times of testing. I do not want to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.  Keep me faithful to the end.  In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen.