This Day In History : February 28

1959 United States

Launch of Discoverer 1: First Polar Orbit

On February 28, 1959, the United States launched Discoverer 1, the first satellite to achieve a polar orbit. This mission was crucial in advancing the capabilities of satellite reconnaissance and Earth observation, setting the stage for future space exploration and satellite technology.

Also on This Day in History February 28

Discover what happened on February 28 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, February 28
  • 1954 Jean Bourgain

    Belgian mathematician who was awarded the Fields Medal in 1994 for his work in analysis.

  • 1814 Edmond Frémy

    French chemist best known for his discovery of hydrogen fluoride and investigations of fluorine compounds.

  • 1743 René-Just Haüy

    French mineralogist who was the founder of the science of crystallography through his discovery of the geometrical law of crystallization.

  • 1552 Joost Bürgi

    Swiss watchmaker and mathematician who invented logarithms independently of the Scottish mathematician John Napier.

  • 1901 Linus Pauling

    Linus Carl Pauling was an American chemist, physicist and author who applied quantum mechanics to the study of molecular structures, particularly in connection with chemical bonding.

Deaths on This Day, February 28
  • 1956 Frigyes Riesz

    Hungarian mathematician and pioneer of functional analysis, which has found important applications to mathematical physics.

  • 1936 Charles-Jules-Henri Nicolle

    French physician and bacteriologist who received the 1928 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his discovery (1909) that typhus is transmitted by the body louse.

  • 1875 Goldsworthy Gurney

    Prolific English inventor who built technically successful steam carriages a half century before the advent of the gasoline-powered automobile.

  • 1929 Baron Clemens von Pirquet

    Austrian physician who originated a skin test for tuberculosis that bears his name, a classic diagnostic test in which tuberculin is applied to a superficial abrasion of the skin of the arm.

  • 2007 Alexander King

    Scottish chemist who pioneered in environmental awareness, warning of the dangers to the environment from extensive industrial development.

1953

DNA structure discovered

In 1953, James Watson, from early on this Saturday, spent his time at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, shuffling cardboard cutout models of the molecules of the DNA bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine(T).
1935

Nylon Invented by DuPont

On February 28, 1935, DuPont announces the invention of nylon, the first synthetic fiber. Developed by Wallace Carothers and his team, nylon quickly becomes a revolutionary material in textiles and various other industries. It is used in products ranging from clothing to industrial applications.
1997

U.S. Enforces Age Verification for Cigarette Purchases

On February 28, 1997, the U.S. requires that individuals provide proof of age to purchase cigarettes. This regulation is part of efforts to curb youth smoking and ensure compliance with legal age restrictions. The move aims to limit access to tobacco products among minors.
1991

The First Gulf War Ends

On February 28, 1991, the First Gulf War concludes with the cessation of hostilities. The conflict, initiated in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, ends after a successful coalition military campaign led by the United States. The resolution restores Kuwaiti sovereignty and brings about a ceasefire agreement.
Holiday
Special day
Discover invention