This Day in History

Today is Thursday, February 28th, the 59th day of the year.There are 306 days until the end of the year.

On this day:

In 1827, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad became the first railroad incorporated for the commercial transportation of people.

In 1972, President Nixon returned from his historic week-long visit to China.

In 1983, CBS aired the final episode of "M*A*S*H."The show became the most watched program in television history.An estimated 125-million people in the U.S. tuned in to CBS to watch the show.

In 1993, U.S. federal agents engaged in a shootout with the Branch Davidian religious cult in Waco, Texas.Four agents and six cult members were killed in the crossfire.

In 1996, Prince Charles and Princess Diana agreed to divorce after 15 years of marriage.

In 2000, Kathie Lee Gifford dropped a bombshell on the "Live with Regis & Kathie Lee," announcing she would not return to the syndicated morning show once her contract expired.

In 2002, a New York appellate court ruled to overturn the guilty verdicts of three New York City police officers who were tried and convicted in the brutal 1997 beating of Haitian immigrant Abner Louima in a police station men's room.

In 2004, at least three people were killed after a tanker explosion off the coast of Virginia.The Bow Mariner was loaded with eleven thousand tons of ethanol and was headed to Houston from New York.

In 2009, legendary news broadcaster and storyteller Paul Harvey died at the age of 90.

In 2011, veteran actress Jane Russell who co-starred with Marilyn Monroe in 1952's "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," died at the age of 89.

In 2013, Pope Benedict the 16th officially resigned from the papacy after meeting with more than 100 cardinals who traveled to Rome to help elect his successor.Benedict became the first Pope to step down as leader of the Roman Catholic Church in almost 600 years.

In 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio won his first Oscar after more than six Academy Award nominations.He won the award for Best Actor for his role in "The Revenant."

Oscar-winning actor George Kennedy, 91, died of a heart ailment at an assisted living facility in Middleton, Idaho.


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