Osun Defender History Corner: February 28 In Focus

Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashbacks and recall some events that marked this day.

February 28, 1849

Regular steamship service began from the United States to California.

February 28, 1922

Egypt gained independence from British control.

February 28, 1928

C.V. Raman discovered the Raman effect, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.

February 28, 1928

The Soviet Union ordered the exile of Leon Trotsky, leading to his eventual assassination in Mexico.

February 28, 1940

Basketball was televised for the first time, with a game between Fordham University and the University of Pittsburgh.

February 28, 1953

Cambridge University scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick discovered the double-helix structure of DNA.

February 28, 1954

The first color television sets using the NTSC standard were offered for sale to the general public.

February 28, 1959

Discoverer 1, an American spy satellite, was launched into orbit.

February 28, 1975

A major train accident occurred in London’s Moorgate Underground station, resulting in 43 deaths and over 70 injuries.

February 28, 1983

The final episode of the television series “MAS*H” aired, becoming one of the most-watched television events in history.

February 28, 1983

The final episode of the television series “MAS*H” aired, becoming one of the most-watched television events in history.

February 28, 1984

The Baltimore Colts football team relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana, in the middle of the night.

February 28, 1986

Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme was assassinated in Stockholm.

February 28, 1993

A bomb exploded in the World Trade Center in New York City, killing six people and injuring over a thousand.

February 28, 1997

The North Hollywood shootout occurred, where two bank robbers engaged in a prolonged gun battle with police in Los Angeles.

February 28, 1998

Kosovo Liberation Army guerillas killed 24 Serbian soldiers in the village of Prekaz, escalating tensions in the Kosovo War.

February 28, 2001

The Nisqually earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, struck the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

February 28, 2020

The Taliban and the United States signed an agreement aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan.

Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on February 28. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.