Today in history: Feb. 28
In 2013, Benedict XVI became the first pope in 600 years to resign, ending an eight-year pontificate, and more events that happened on this day in history.
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1849: California Gold Rush
In 1849, the California gold rush began in earnest as regular steamship service started bringing gold-seekers to San Francisco.
1953: DNA
In 1953, scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick announced they had discovered the double-helix structure of DNA.
1972: Richard Nixon and Zhou Enlai
In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai issued the Shanghai Communique, which called for normalizing relations between their countries, at the conclusion of Nixon’s historic visit to China.
1975: London Underground
In 1975, 42 people were killed in London’s Underground when a train smashed into the end of a tunnel.
1983: "M-A-S-H"
In 1983, the long-running TV series “M-A-S-H” ended after 11 seasons on CBS with a special 2½-hour finale that was watched by an estimated 121.6 million people.
1988: Olympic Winter Games
In 1988, the 15th Olympic Winter Games held its closing ceremony in Calgary, Alberta.
1993: Branch Davidian
In 1993, a gun battle erupted at a religious compound near Waco, Texas, when Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents tried to arrest Branch Davidian leader David Koresh on weapons charges; four agents and six Davidians were killed as a 51-day standoff began.
1996: Princess Diana and Prince Charles
In 1996, Britain’s Princess Diana agreed to divorce Prince Charles. (Their 15-year marriage officially ended in August 1996; Diana died in a car crash in Paris a year after that.)
2005: Michael Jackson
In 2005, in Santa Maria, California, the prosecution and defense gave opening statements in the sexual molestation trial of Michael Jackson, who was later acquitted.
2011: Jane Russell
Ten years ago: Actor Jane Russell died in Santa Maria, California, at age 89.
2011: Libya
Ten years ago: The United States and European allies intensified efforts to isolate Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi, redoubling demands for him to step down, questioning his mental state and warning that those who stayed loyal to him risked losing their wealth and facing prosecution for human rights abuses.
2013: Benedict XVI
In 2013, Benedict XVI became the first pope in 600 years to resign, ending an eight-year pontificate. (Benedict was succeeded the following month by Pope Francis.)
2016: George Pell
Five years ago: One of Pope Francis’ top advisers, Australian Cardinal George Pell, testifying before an investigative commission in Sydney via videolink from Rome, acknowledged the Catholic Church had made “enormous mistakes” in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests over centuries.
2016: The Academy Awards
Five years ago: “Spotlight” won the Academy Award for best picture of 2015; Brie Larson was recognized as best actress for “Room” while Leonardo DiCaprio was named best actor for “The Revenant.”
2018: Walmart
In 2018, Walmart announced that it would no longer sell firearms and ammunition to people younger than 21 and would remove items resembling assault-style rifles from its website. Dick’s Sporting Goods said it would stop selling assault-style rifles and ban the sale of all guns to anyone under 21.
2020: Donald Trump
One year ago: At a rally in South Carolina, President Donald Trump asserted that Democratic complaints about his handling of the virus threat were “their new hoax.”
2020: Dow Jones Industrial Average
One year ago: The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished the week 12.4% lower in the market’s worst weekly performance since the 2008 financial crisis.
2020: Joe Coulombe
One year ago: Joe Coulombe, the founder of the Trader Joe’s food markets, died at 89; he’d opened his first Trader Joe’s in Pasadena, California, in 1967.