Today's Trivia and What Happened on February 28

What Does the phrase "HIJKLMNO" represent?

What Does the phrase "HIJKLMNO" represent? Close Large View

Water - H2O

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
22

Quote: In seeking happiness for others, you will find it in yourself. - Anonymous

Quote: In seeking happiness for others, you will find it in yourself. - Anonymous Close Large View

Thumbs Up
12
Thumbs Down
0

What Happened On

Clinton-Lewinsky Affair - The Blue Dress

Clinton-Lewinsky Affair - The Blue Dress Close Large View

Clinton-Lewinsky Affair - The Blue Dress

February 28, 1997

Monica Lewinsky claims that she performed oral sex on U.S. President Bill Clinton while wearing a blue dress. She would later turn over the blue dress to the FBI who determined that semen stains on it were from Clinton. This evidence prompted Clinton's famous "What the meaning of 'IS' is" in defense of previous claims that he did not have sexual relations with Lewinsky.

Thumbs Up
1
Thumbs Down
103

David Koresh - Waco Killings

David Koresh - Waco Killings Close Large View

David Koresh - Waco Killings

February 28, 1993

Four federal agents and six Branch Davidian members are killed in a shootout when the ATF attempted to execute a search warrant relating to alleged sexual abuse charges and illegal weapons violations. This led to a 51-day standoff that ultimately ended in the Waco disaster, in which 76 cult members were killed, including leader David Koresh who claimed to be Jesus Christ.

Thumbs Up
1
Thumbs Down
19

Add Trivia to Your Web Page

Diff'rent Strokes Robber

Diff'rent Strokes Robber Close Large View

Diff'rent Strokes Robber

February 28, 1991

Dana Plato, who played Kimberly Drummond on the TV show Diff'rent Strokes (1978-86), robs a video store with a pellet gun stealing $164. She returned to the scene of the crime 15 minutes later and was promptly identified and arrested. She was given five years probation, which she violated in 1992 by forging a prescription for Diazepam.

Thumbs Up
1
Thumbs Down
19

Join Us on Facebook

M*A*S*H Goodbye, Farewell and Amen

M*A*S*H Goodbye, Farewell and Amen Close Large View

M*A*S*H Goodbye, Farewell and Amen

February 28, 1983

The final episode of the TV series M*A*S*H is watched by a record 106 million viewers. The episode was originally written for 90 minutes. But, a brush fire broke out at the set in Malibu Creek State Park. The fire was filmed and worked into the script, adding an extra 30 minutes making it two hours long.

Thumbs Up
21
Thumbs Down
0

California Gold Rush

California Gold Rush Close Large View

California Gold Rush

February 28, 1849

The first prospectors for the Gold Rush of '49 arrive in San Francisco. Gold was discovered by James Marshall on Sutter's Mill the previous year. Over 300,000 people, known as "forty-niners" (from year 1849), would go to California to seek their fortune.

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
2

U.S. President Saved by Drinking

U.S. President Saved by Drinking Close Large View

U.S. President Saved by Drinking

February 28, 1844

U.S. President John Tyler is almost killed when the newly-built war steamer USS Princeton fires one of its guns. The gun exploded killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Gilmer, David Gardiner, and three others. Tyler was supposed to be present, but had stopped on the way for drinks.
David Gardiner's daughter Julia was also on board. Julia had previously turned down Tyler's marriage proposals, but Tyler's comforting of her through this tragedy won her consent to be wed. Julia in later years spoke of how Tyler's quiet strength sustained her through her grief. Tyler became the first U.S. President to elope when he and Julia wed four months later.

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
103

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Close Large View

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

February 28, 1994

"Don't ask, don't tell" becomes the official U.S. policy on military service by gays, bisexuals, and lesbians. It prohibited discriminating against closeted homosexual or bisexual service members or applicants, while barring openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons from military service. It prohibited people who "demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" from serving in the U.S. armed forces, because their presence "would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability." It remained in effect until 2011 when gays were allowed to serve openly in the military.

Thumbs Up
5
Thumbs Down
3

Long Arms Save Dolphin

February 28, 1978

Basketball player Clifford Ray assists in an operation at Marine World in California by using his long arms to retrieve a large screw swallowed by a dolphin.

Thumbs Up
8
Thumbs Down
0

First Televised Collegiate Basketball Game

February 28, 1940

W2XBS of New York City broadcast a game between Pittsburgh and Fordham.

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

Territory of Colorado

February 28, 1861

The Territory of Colorado is established by the U.S. Congress.

Thumbs Up
4
Thumbs Down
0

University of Pittsburgh

February 28, 1787

The Pittsburgh Academy is founded. It became University of Pittsburgh in 1908.

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

Birthdays

Brian Jones

Brian Jones Close Large View
This is a birthday

Founder of the Rolling Stones

Brian Jones (Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones)

Born February 28, 1942 d. 1969

British Hall of Fame singer, guitarist. He was the founder, rhythm/lead guitarist, and original leader of The Rolling Stones. In 1962, he placed an advertisement in the May 2nd edition of Jazz News inviting musicians to audition for a new R&B group. The first to join was pianist Ian Stewart, soon followed by Mick Jagger and Jagger's childhood friend Keith Richards.
Jones drowned in the swimming pool at his home. He had left the band less than a month earlier after drug and alcohol problems had made him increasingly less reliable in the studio.

Thumbs Up
11
Thumbs Down
0

Tara Calico

Tara Calico Close Large View
This is a birthday

Tara Calico

Born February 28, 1969

American kidnapping victim. She disappeared from near her home in New Mexico in September 1988 when she was 19 years old. The following June, a Polaroid photo of an unidentified bound and gagged woman and boy was found in a parking lot in Florida. The woman in the photo is believed to be Tara Calico. The type of film used was not available until after May 1989, eight months after she disappeared. Also shown in the photo was a copy of V.C. Andrews' My Sweet Audrina, said to be one of Calico's favorite books and the woman in the photo had a scar on her leg similar to one Calico had. The boy has never been identified. Neither of the victims have been found.
The photo was shown on national crime shows such as A Current Affair, Unsolved Mysteries, and America's Most Wanted and has also been profiled on The Oprah Winfrey Show and 48 Hours.

Thumbs Up
0
Thumbs Down
2

This is a birthday

Bernadette Peters (Bernadette Lazzara)

Born February 28, 1948

American Tony-winning actress. Stage: Song and Dance (1985, Tony). Film: The Jerk (1979).

Thumbs Up
7
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Stephanie Beacham

Born February 28, 1947

British actress. TV: The Colbys (Sable Colby).

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Frank Bonner

Born February 28, 1942 d. 2021

American actor. TV: WKRP in Cincinnati (1978-82, Herb Tarlek).

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Mario Andretti

Born February 28, 1940

Italian-born American auto racer, Indianapolis 500 winner. He is only person named "Driver of the Year" in three decades (1967, 1978, 1984). the only driver to win the Daytona 500, Indy 500, and Formula One world title, and the oldest person to win an Indy race (1993, age 53).

Thumbs Up
5
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Tommy Tune

Born February 28, 1939

American Tony-winning choreographer, singer, dancer. He Directed and choreographed Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1978).

Thumbs Up
7
Thumbs Down
0

Gavin MacLeod

Gavin MacLeod Close Large View
This is a birthday

Gavin MacLeod

Born February 28, 1931 d. 2021

American actor. TV: The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77, Murray Slaughter), The Love Boat (1977-87, Capt. Stubing), and McHale's Navy (1962-64, "Happy" Haines).

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Bettye Ackerman

Born February 28, 1924 d. 2006

American actress. TV: Ben Casey (1961-66, Dr. Maggie Graham).

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Charles Durning

Born February 28, 1923 d. 2012

American Tony-winning actor. TV: Evening Shade (Dr. Elldrige). He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart for his service during WWII.

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
0

Mostel in Fiddler on the Roof Mostel in Fiddler on the Roof

Mostel in Fiddler on the Roof Mostel in Fiddler on the Roof
Close Large View
This is a birthday

Zero Mostel

Born February 28, 1915 d. 1977

American actor, singer. Stage: Fiddler on the Roof (1964, as Tevye singing If I Were a Rich Man).

Thumbs Up
7
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Sir Peter Brian Medawar

Born February 28, 1915 d. 1987

British Nobel-winning medical scientist. He was co-winner of a 1960 Nobel Prize for his work on skin grafting.

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Milton Caniff

Born February 28, 1907 d. 1988

American cartoonist. Creator of Terry and the Pirates (1934) and Steve Canyon (1947).

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Linus Carl Pauling

Born February 28, 1901 d. 1994

American Nobel-winning chemist and vitamin C advocate. He also won a Nobel Peace Prize.

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Victor Louis Berger

Born February 28, 1860 d. 1929

Transylvanian-born American politician. He was the first socialist elected to the U.S. Congress (1910, House of Representatives for Wisconsin) and was one of the founders of the Socialist Party (1900).

Thumbs Up
1
Thumbs Down
103

Charles Blondin

Charles Blondin Close Large View
This is a birthday

Charles Blondin (Jean Francois Gravelet)

Born February 28, 1824 d. 1897

French acrobat, aerialist. He was the first to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope (1859). A crowd of over 100,000 people watched. He also crossed it other times blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow, carrying a man on his back, and on stilts.

Thumbs Up
4
Thumbs Down
0

Sir John Tenniel

Sir John Tenniel Close Large View
This is a birthday

Sir John Tenniel

Born February 28, 1820 d. 1914

English illustrator. He illustrated Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871). He was also principal political cartoonist for Punch magazine for over 50 years.

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
0

Deaths

Jane Russell in The Outlaw (1943) Jane Russell in The Outlaw (1943)

Jane Russell in The Outlaw (1943) Jane Russell in The Outlaw (1943)
Close Large View
This is a death

Jane Russell

Died February 28, 2011 b. 1921

American actress, full-figured gal. Bob Hope once joked, "Culture is the ability to describe Jane Russell without moving your hands." Film: Gentleman Prefer Blondes (1953) and Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955).

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey Close Large View
This is a death

Paul Harvey (Paul Harvey Aurandt)

Died February 28, 2009 b. 1918

American radio commentator. "Hello Americans, I'm Paul Harvey… And now for the rest of the story" (1952-2008). Known for his conservative views, Harvey was a friend and supporter of J. Edgar Hoover and Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
1

Ruby Keeler

Ruby Keeler Close Large View
This is a death

Ruby Keeler (Ethel Hilda Keeler)

Died February 28, 1993 b. 1909

American dancer, actress. She frequently co-starred with Dick Powell. Film: 42nd Street (1933).

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

Richard Willard Armour

Died February 28, 1989 b. 1906

American author, poet. Writings: It All Started With Eve (1956).
Armour wrote humorous poems that were featured in newspapers as Armour's Armory.
Poem: "Middle Age is a time of life, that a man first notices in his wife."

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

Charita Bauer

Died February 28, 1985 b. 1922

American Emmy-winning actress. TV and radio: The Guiding Light (Bert Bauer, which she played for 35 years).

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
0

Philip Ahn

Philip Ahn Close Large View
This is a death

Philip Ahn (Pil Lip Ahn)

Died February 28, 1978 b. 1905

American actor. He was the first Asian-American film actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. TV: Kung Fu (1972-75, Master Kan).

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
0

Eddie "Rochester" Anderson

Eddie "Rochester" Anderson Close Large View
This is a death

Eddie "Rochester" Anderson

Died February 28, 1977 b. 1905

American actor. TV: The Jack Benny Program (1950-65, Benny's valet Rochester). Radio: The Jack Benny Program (1937-55, making Anderson the first Black American to have a regular role on a nationwide radio program).

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

Henry Robinson Luce

Died February 28, 1967 b. 1898

American publisher. Founded Time (1922), Fortune (1930), Life (1936), and Sports Illustrated (1954) magazines.

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
0