February 24 in American History

February 24, 1868 — the first presidential impeachment

The House impeached President Andrew Johnson over his clashes with Congress on Reconstruction, the first time it had ever impeached a president. The Senate acquitted him by a single vote. It was a raw test of the constitutional check of impeachment — and of how far Congress could go against a president it despised.

Common Questions

What happened on February 24 in American history?

In 1868: the first presidential impeachment. The House impeached President Andrew Johnson over his clashes with Congress on Reconstruction, the first time it had ever impeached a president.

Why is February 24 significant?

The House impeached President Andrew Johnson over his clashes with Congress on Reconstruction, the first time it had ever impeached a president. The Senate acquitted him by a single vote. It was a raw test of the constitutional check of impeachment — and of how far Congress could go against a president it despised.

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