Today in History.....February 28

On this day in …

* 1827, the first U.S. railroad chartered to carry passengers and freight, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, was incorporated

* 1844, a 12-inch gun aboard the USS Princeton exploded, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Navy Secretary Thomas W. Gilmer and several others

* 1849, the ship California arrived at San Francisco, carrying the first of the gold-seekers

* 1861, the Territory of Colorado was organized

* 1951, the committee headed by Sen. Estes Kefauver, D-Tenn., issued a preliminary report saying at least two major crime syndicates were operating in the U.S.

* 1953, scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick discovered the double-helix structure of DNA, the molecule that contains the human genes

* 1974, the United States and Egypt re-established diplomatic relations after a seven-year break

* 1977, fist killer whale born in captivity (Marineland at Los
Angeles)

* 1983, the final TV episode of "M*A*S*H" airs (CBS); record 125 million watch

* 1993, a gun battle erupted at a compound near Waco, Texas, when Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents tried to serve warrants on the Branch Davidians; four agents and six Davidians were killed as a 51-day standoff began

* 1994, Brady Law, imposing a wait-period to buy a hand-gun, went into effect

* 1995, Denver International Airport opened after 16 months of delays and $3.2 billion in budget overruns

* 1996, President Clinton and the Congress agreed on a sanctions bill aimed at driving foreign investors from Cuba. ALSO: Britain's Princess Diana agreed to divorce Prince Charles