By The Associated Press

Today in History

Today is Friday, Aug. 24, the 236th day of 2018. There are 129 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On August 24, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty came into force.

On this date:

In A.D. 79, long-dormant Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in volcanic ash; an estimated 20,000 people died.

In A.D. 410, Rome was overrun by the Visigoths, a major event in the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

In 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces invaded Washington, D.C., setting fire to the Capitol (which was still under construction) and the White House, as well as other public buildings.

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