Volume 13 , Issue 9

This Day In History (February 28)

On this day in history, February 28, from 1827 to 1956, we find the first railroad incorporated for commercial transportation; The SS California left Cape Horn and arrived in San Francisco; Republican Party was organized in Wisconsin by 50 slavery opponents; US Territory of colorado was organized; Union General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick began a raid aimed at Richmond; Thomas Edison hired Samuel Insull; the first vaudeville theater opened; AT&T was incorporated; the first televised basketball game was shown; and much more.

1827 - The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad became the first railroad incorporated for commercial transportation of people and freight.

1844 - Several people were killed aboard the USS Princeton when a 12-inch gun exploded.

1849 - Regular steamboat service to California via Cape Horn arrived in San Francisco for the first time. The SS California had left New York Harbor on October 6, 1848. The trip took 4 months and 21 days.

1854 - The Republican Party was organized in Ripon, WI. About 50 slavery opponents began the new political group.

1861 - The U.S. territory of Colorado was organized. Nickname: Centennial State; Capital: Denver; Motto: Nothing Without Providence; Flower: Rocky Mountain columbine; Bird: Lark Bunting; Tree: Colorado blue spruce; Song: Where the Columbines Grow; Entered Union: August 1, 1876.

1864 - Union General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick began a raid aimed at Richmond. The goal was to free Federal prisoners and to spread the word of President Lincoln's Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. The next day the group split into two wings on their way to Richmond. (Kilpatrick-Dahlgren raid)

1881 - Thomas Edison hired Samuel Insull as his private secretary.

1883 - The first vaudeville theater opened.

1885 - AT&T (American Telephone and Telegraph) was incorporated. The company was capitalized on only $100,000 and provided long distance service for American Bell.

1893 - Edward G. Acheson showed his patent for Carborundum.

1900 - In South Africa, British troops relieved Ladysmith, which had been under siege since November 2, 1899.

1911 - Thomas A. Edison, Inc. was organized.

1940 - The first televised basketball game was shown. The game featured Fordham University and the University of Pittsburgh from Madison Square Gardens in New York.

1948 - Bud Gartiser set a world record when he cleared the 50-yard low hurdles in 6.8 seconds.

1953 - In a Cambridge University laboratory, scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick discovered the double-helix structure of DNA.

1954 - In San Francisco "Birth of a Planet" was aired. It was the first American phase-contrast cinemicrography film to be presented on television. 1956 - A patent was issued to Forrester for a computer memory core.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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