On February 28th in history, we saw the creation of a ghost word, discovered the structure of DNA, and witnessed the end of M*A*S*H! Read on to find out what else happened on the (sort of) last day of February – and what it means if you were born today.
On this day
1Ghost Word?
In 1939, the non-existent word “Dord” was mistakenly added to Webster’s New International Dictionary, Second Edition. The word is referred to as a “ghost word,” created through a typographical error.
2It’s in the DNA!
In 1953, the double-helix structure of DNA was discovered by James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick at Cambridge University. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of genetics and biology.
3The end of M*A*S*H
On February 28th 1983, we said goodbye to an iconic tv show, the ever-loved M*A*S*H. Running from 1972, M*A*S*H was based on the 1970 film of the same name and was set during the Korean War.
The final episode is still the most-watched TV event of all time – as a peak of 121 million people tuned in to see the final moments unfold!
4Two brains are better than one!
On this day in 2013, a neuroscientist at Duke University performed a pioneering experiment by connecting two rat brains over the internet, allowing the rodents to share sensory information and solve problems digitally. The successful experiment marked a significant advancement in the field of neuroscience.
5One huge penguin!
On February 28th 2012, the largest prehistoric penguin species was discovered. Named Kairuku grebneffi, it likely weighed in at over 130 lbs and measured roughly 5ft tall, based on the 27 million-year-old fossil found in New Zealand.
By comparison, the largest living penguin species – the emperor penguin – grows to about a meter tall and weighs just under 90 lbs on average!
Special Days Falling on February 28th
Celebrating today? If not, here are a few important occasions unfolding across the globe on February 28th.
World Spay Day
World Spay Day is an annual event to reduce stray pet populations through spaying and neutering programs. The event raises awareness and support for programs offered by veterinarian clinics and communities, especially for feral cat populations. It was founded by the Doris Day Animal League as Spay Day USA in 1994, and later expanded globally.
National Tooth Fairy Day
The Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and even Cupid have their own days, so why not the hardest working hygiene helper? National Tooth Fairy Day on February 28th is an opportunity to reflect on the history of a beloved figure in dental care and promote good dental hygiene in children.
National Chocolate Souffle Day
Could National Chocolate Soufflé Day be the most delicious holiday on the calendar? We officially celebrate the classic French dessert on February 28th. Traditionally made with egg yolks and egg whites combined with a flavored cream base, resulting in a light and fluffy dessert. This is a notoriously tricky dessert for cooking novices, but well worth the effort!
This month in history
Facebook came into existence! It was during February 2004 that young entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg helmed a new social network – when most of the world was still getting to grips with MySpace, “Zuck” came along and connected everybody completely differently. By 2006, the network had expanded beyond Harvard University, where it was originally based.
Famous Birthdays on February 28th
- Linus Pauling, American chemist, born 1901
- Bugsy Siegel, American gangster, born 1906
- Frank Gehry, American architect, born 1929
- Mario Andretti, Italian-American racecar driver, born 1940
- Ainsley Harriott, English chef, born 1957
If you were born on February 28th…
You’re a Pisces – congratulations! You likely have a deep emotional sensitivity and are perceptive by nature. Represented by two fish, you are a creative water sign and likely express yourself best through art, writing, or music. You are compassionate but may have a tendency to be overly sensitive and be a bit of a daydreamer! Better try and find some solid ground if you want to keep your relationships healthy!
There’s more to being a Pisces than meets the eye, learn more over at our Pisces fact file – we’ve got facts on all the other Zodiac signs, too.
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