February 28th
1784
John Wesley issues “Deed of Declaration” formally establishing the Methodist Church.
1827
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Co. was incorporated.
1849
The steamship California landed in San Francisco, bringing the first East Coasters to the Gold Rush.
1861
The Territory of Colorado was organized.
1916
Henry James, American novelist and critic, died.
1940
The first televised basketball game was shown. The game featured Fordham University and the University of Pittsburgh from Madison Square Gardens in New York.
1979
Mr. Ed, the talking horse, died.
1983
The final episode of M*A*S*H aired. It was the most watched television program in history.
1986
Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme was shot to death in central Stockholm.
1993
Four federal agents were killed in Waco, Texas, after they tried to serve an arrest warrant for weapons charges on Branch Davidian sect leader David Koresh, starting a 51-day standoff.
Birthdays
86 Charles Durning Actor
78 Gavin MacLeod Actor ("Love Boat," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show")
78 Dean Smith Hall of Fame basketball coach
77 Don Francks Actor
69 Mario Andretti Auto racer
56 Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat Professional wrestler
54 Gilbert Gottfried Comedian
52 John Turturro Actor
52 Cindy Wilson Rock singer (B-52s)
48 Rae Dawn Chong Actress
40 Robert Sean Leonard Actor ("House")
36 Eric Lindros Hockey player
41 Bugsy Siegel 2/28/1906 - 6/20/1947 American gangster who started Las Vegas gambling