The monitor USS Montauk destroying the Confederate privateer Rattlesnake , formerly the CSS Nashville on the Ogeechee River in Georgia. February 28, 1863 Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

The final episode of M*A*S*H aired on February 28, 1983, watched by a record-setting 105.97 million viewers. The series ran for 11 seasons and went through a number of cast changes. Shown here is the cast during season six in 1977. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

American scientist Linus Pauling was born on February 28, 1901 in Portland, Oregon. He was awarded both the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962. Image via Wikimedia Commons, no known restrictions –>

Pro football champion Bubba Smith, who played the role of Moses Hightower in the Police Academy movie series, was born on February 28, 1945 in Orange, Texas. Image via Alamy –>

On February 28, 1844, the explosion of the “Peacemaker” cannon aboard the USS Princeton resulted in six deaths and about 20 injuries. Among those killed were Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Gilmer and Secretary of State Abel Upshur. President John Tyler was below deck and did not witness the tragedy. Image from LOC via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US. –>

On February 28, 1847, U.S. forces of a little more than 1,000 defeat a Mexican army nearly double their size at the Battle of Sacramento in Mexico. The U.S. Army later captures the city of Chihuahua. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US. –>

On February 28, 1861, just a few days before leaving office, President James Buchanan signed the Colorado Organic Act which organized the Territory of Colorado. Image of James Buchanan c. 1860s via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

Pvt. Felix L. and Pvt. Sammie J. demonstrate the proper method of digging a foxhole. February 28, 1945 Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US. –>

Gifford (bark, 4m), deck scene while aground at Mussel Rock, off Daly City, California February 28, 1903 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

Burgess Meredith urges for permanent Federal Bureau of Fine Arts. Washington, D.C. – February 28, 1938 via Library of Congress, no known restrictions. –>

A photograph of Dick Clark from a press release for his radio show that was dated February 28, 1963. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

Blyth Arena in Squaw Valley (now known as Palisades Tahoe) California where the U.S. defeated Czechoslovakia 9-4 to win the gold medal in men’s ice hockey on February 28, 1960. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

“February 28, 1849 — The steamship “California” being the first of the line of mail steamers along the coast, arrived. The citizens hailed her appearance with many cheers and other demonstrations of joy. General Persifer F. Smith, a passenger on this vessel, came to take command of the Pacific division of the military department of the United States, which comprehends Oregon and California.” Source: Annals of San Francisco https://archive.org/details/annalsofsanfranc00soul/page/220/mode/1up Source says not in copyright Among those onboard were gold prospectors from the Eastern US. The ship’s journey took months as it needed to travel around South America since it would take another 65 years for the Panama Canal to open to traffic. The “California” departed New York City in October of 1848. Image: A view of the town, and harbour of San Francisco, 1849 via NYPL Digital Collections, no known restrictions –>