February 28th is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 306 days remaining until the end of the year (307 in leap years). This date is slightly more likely to fall on a Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday (58 in 400 years each) than on Friday or Saturday (57), and slightly less likely to occur on a Monday or Wednesday (56).

Historical Events:

1525 – Aztec king Cuauhtémoc is executed on the order of conquistador Hernán Cortés.

1935 – DuPont scientist Wallace Carothers invents nylon.

1939 – The erroneous word “dord” is discovered in the Webster’s New International Dictionary, Second Edition, prompting an investigation.

1983 – The final episode of M*A*S*H airs, with almost 106 million viewers. It still holds the record for the highest viewership of a season finale.

1993 – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents raid the Branch Davidian church in Waco, Texas with a warrant to arrest the group’s leader David Koresh. Four ATF agents and six Davidians die in the initial raid, starting a 51-day standoff.

Celebrity Births:

Actress Bernadette Peters turns 70

Model Olivia Palermo turns 32

Economist Paul Krugman turns 65

Actress Amanda Abbington turns 44

Singer Jason Aldean turns 41