February 28 in History

• 1922

  February 28, 1922:

  The independence of Egypt is declared.

• 1942

  February 28, 1942:

  Japanese troops begin their occupation of Java Island during World War II.

• 1947

  February 28, 1947:

  The Republic of China government, led by the Kuomintang Party, suppresses an anti-government uprising leading to the death of between 5000 and 28,000 people.

• 1953

  February 28, 1953:

  Francis Crick and James Watson, both scientists at the University of Cambridge, announce their discovery of the chemical structure of DNA.

• 1983

  February 28, 1983:

  The popular American war comedy-drama television series, “M*A*S*H” ends its original run.

• 1984

  February 28, 1984:

  Michael Jackson wins eight awards out of his 12 nominations at the Grammy Awards ceremony.

• 1986

  February 28, 1986:

  Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme is assassinated.

• 2013

  February 28, 2013:

  Leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI resigns, making him the first Pope to do so in almost 600 years since Gregory XII in 1415.  

• 2016

  February 28, 2016:

  Leonardo DiCaprio wins his first Oscar for “Best Actor”.

• 2020

  February 28, 2020:

  Chinese swimming champion, Sun Yang is banned for eight years for failing to take a doping test in September 2018.