February 28th
1827
The first U.S. railroad chartered to carry passengers and freight, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, was incorporated.
1844
A 12-inch gun aboard the USS Princeton exploded, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Navy Secretary Thomas W. Gilmer and several others.
1849
The ship "California" arrived at San Francisco, carrying the first of the gold-seekers.
1861
The Territory of Colorado was organized.
1940
The first telivised college basketball games were broadcast by New York City station W2XBS, as Pittsburgh defeated Fordam 57-37 and New York University beat Georgetown 50-27 at Madison Square Garden.
1951
The Senate committee headed by Estes Kfauver, Democrat of Tennessee, issued a preliminary report saying at least two major crime syndicates were operating in the United States.
1953
Scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick discovered the double-helix structure of DNA, the molecule that contains the human genes.
1972
President Richard M. Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai issued the Shanghai Communique at the conclusion of Nixon's historic visit to China.
1974
The United States and Egypt re-established diplomatic relations after a seven year break.
1975
More than 40 people were killed in London's Underground when a subway train smashed into the end of a tunnel.
1986
Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme was shot to death in central Stockholm.
1993
A gun battle erupted at a compound near Waco, Texas, when Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms tried to serve warrants on the Branch Dividians; four agents and six Davidians were killed as a 51-day standoff began.
1996
Britian's Princess Diana agreed to divorce Prince Charles.
1997
In North Hollywood, California, two heavily armed and armoured robbers bungled a bank heist and came out firing, unleashing their arsenal on police, bystanders, cars and TV choppers before they were killed.
2009
Someone who wishes to remain Anonymous of Delaware and Palmira Nicolo of Pennsylvania won the Powerball and each took the cash option of $46,629,112.16.