February 24

On February 24, 1916, the Japanese Governor-General of Korea established Jahyewon on Sorokdo Island to isolate those afflicted by Hansen's disease (leprosy). Patients were forcibly relocated to the remote leprosarium under harsh conditions and strict segregation from society. The facility aimed to curb the spread of the disease but also underscored colonial control and social stigma. Over time, Sorokdo became home to thousands of patients, shaping Korean medical and social history. Today's preservation efforts honor the resilience of those who lived there and acknowledge past injustices.

Following her election in November 1919, Nancy Astor took her seat in Parliament on this day and delivered her maiden speech in the House of Commons. Born in Virginia and later naturalized British, she championed social reforms and temperance. Her presence ignited debates about women’s role in public life and inspired the suffrage movement across the Empire. Astor faced both admiration and opposition from male colleagues, yet she persisted in advocating for education and welfare issues. Her groundbreaking appearance paved the way for future generations of women in British politics.

As the German occupation tightened in Greece, whispers circulated of compulsory conscription of Greek workers to Germany’s armaments factories. On this day, thousands of citizens marched through central Athens, demanding an end to forced deportations and occupation policies. The protest, led by students, workers, and clergy, was the first mass rally against Axis authorities inside the city. Clashes erupted when collaborationist police and German troops opened fire with batons and guns. Although the uprising was suppressed, it marked a turning point in Greek resistance and inspired further acts of defiance throughout occupied Europe. The event underscored the power of civilian protest against totalitarian regimes.

The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians presented its report on February 24, 1983, denouncing the forced removal of Japanese Americans. It highlighted violations of civil liberties and constitutional rights by the U.S. government during World War II. The commission’s findings laid the groundwork for redress legislation, culminating in the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Survivors and their descendants received formal apologies and monetary reparations as a result of this acknowledgment. The report remains a landmark in American legal history and a reminder of the importance of protecting minority rights in times of crisis.