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28 fun facts for February, 28

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
February 28th is a day filled with significant events, from the creation of the Republican Party in the United States to the invention of nylon yarn. Notable birthdays include classical composer Maurice Ravel and writer Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, while people celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day in the US and the National Day of Andalusia in Spain.
28 Fun facts
  1. February 28th is National Tooth Fairy Day in the United States, a day dedicated to the enchanting mythical character who exchanges lost teeth for money or small gifts while children sleep.
  2. In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA at the University of Cambridge, England. Their findings led to a significant breakthrough in the understanding of genetics and the study of molecular biology.
  3. February 28th, 1935 marked the introduction of radar when Scottish inventor and engineer Sir Robert Watson-Watt demonstrated radio-wave reflection by aircraft. This technology played a crucial role in the outcome of World War II and is now a crucial part of air traffic control and weather prediction.
  4. King Charles XI of Sweden was born on February 28th, 1655. He is known for the comprehensive system of administrative and military reforms known as the Swedish Absolutism, which streamlined the government at the time.
  5. On February 28th, 2020, the worst snowstorm in over a century hit Norway, stranding over a thousand cars and causing travel chaos. This extreme weather also resulted in several schools and kindergarten closures.
  6. On this day in 1827, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was incorporated, becoming the oldest railroad in the United States. It played a crucial role in the development of the American West by connecting the Eastern Seaboard and the Midwest region.
  7. The National Day of Andalusia is celebrated on February 28th in Spain. This day marks the anniversary of the 1980 referendum for the ratification of the Statute of Autonomy, granting Andalusia its administrative and cultural autonomy within Spain.
  8. February 28th, 1854 saw the creation of the Republican Party in the United States. Founded in Ripon, Wisconsin, the party's core values centered around opposition to the expansion of slavery into the western territories.
  9. Famed American writer Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born on February 28th, 1807. He is best known for his narrative poems such as "The Song of Hiawatha" and "Paul Revere's Ride," which contributed to shaping American literature.
  10. On February 28th, 1939, the erroneous word "dord" was discovered in the Webster's New International Dictionary, created by a misunderstanding over the abbreviation for "density." The entry remained in the dictionary until it was corrected in 1947.
  11. In 1997, on February 28th, a remarkable astronomical event occurred: a "Fireball" meteor entered the Earth's atmosphere and streaked across the skies in the northwestern US and western Canada. The meteor was later estimated to measure 3-6 feet in diameter.
  12. February 28th, 1940 marked the opening day of the first basketball game televised in the United States. The game took place at New York's Madison Square Garden, featuring Fordham University and the University of Pittsburgh.
  13. On February 28th, 1991, the first Gulf War came to an end when President George H.W. Bush announced the cessation of hostilities after the successful expulsion of Iraqi forces from Kuwait.
  14. Swedish actress Greta Garbo received a special Academy Award on February 28th, 1955, for her "unforgettable screen performances." Garbo remains a legendary figure in the history of classic Hollywood cinema.
  15. In 1983, the final episode of popular television series M*A*S*H aired on February 28th, breaking records with an estimated 125 million viewers in the United States, making it one of the most-watched television events in history.
  16. Celebrated classical composer Maurice Ravel was born on February 28th, 1875. His best-known works include the orchestral piece "Boléro" and the opera "L'enfant et les sortilèges."
  17. On this day in 1838, the United States and the Cherokee Nation signed the Treaty of New Echota. The treaty forced the Cherokee to leave their land in the southeastern United States and relocate west of the Mississippi River, ultimately leading to the infamous "Trail of Tears."
  18. February 28th, 1986, marked the tragic assassination of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme. His murder remains unsolved, despite several reopened investigations and numerous theories.
  19. French painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, known for his dramatic chiaroscuro style, received his first public commission on February 28th, 1595, which led to his rapid rise in fame.
  20. On February 28th, 1959, "Discoverer 1," the first polar-orbiting satellite, was launched by the United States. The satellite's launch marked early explorations into satellite technology and space in the midst of the Cold War.
  21. February 28th, 1853 saw the introduction of donuts with holes, as Elizabeth Gregory used nuts to fill the center of her fried dough treat. Her son, ship captain Hanson Gregory, would later claim it was his idea to punch a hole in the middle of the dough.
  22. On February 28th, 1938, nylon yarn was invented by Dr. Wallace Hume Carothers. This breakthrough resulted in the creation of nylon stockings and other products made from this durable and lightweight material.
  23. On February 28th, 1957, CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) was launched in the United Kingdom. The organization, founded to push for British unilateral nuclear disarmament, has been an influential peace and disarmament movement.
  24. February 28th, 2021 saw Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka win her fourth Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, further cementing her status as a global sports icon.
  25. The National Science Foundation was established on February 28th, 1950, by an act of the U.S. Congress, promoting scientific research and the transfer of knowledge to strengthen the nation's technological and economic advances.
  26. February 28th, 1984 saw the release of Michael Jackson's groundbreaking and influential "Thriller" album. The album remains one of the best-selling albums of all time and launched Jackson into superstardom.
  27. On February 28th, 1932, the last Ford Model A was produced. This iconic vehicle played a significant role in ushering in the era of mass-produced affordable automobiles.
  28. February 28th, 1995 marked the launch of the popular online computer game "Descent." The game pioneered six-degrees-of-freedom gameplay and became a landmark title in the mid-1990s.

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