This Day In History, February 28th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on February 28th.
The Lowell Female Labor Reform Association was established in 1844 by a group of Massachusetts textile workers as a means of protesting low pay and unfavorable working conditions.
Scientist Wallace Carothers created nylon, a synthetic substance that would later transform the textile industry, in 1935.
James Watson and Francis Crick made the structural discovery of DNA, the molecule that houses the genetic material for living things, in 1953.
One of the most viewed television events in history occurred in 1983 when the final episode of the TV show "MAS*H" aired.
Upon his resignation as leader of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI the first pope to do so in nearly 600 years.
This Day In History, February 28th, 1844: A group of textile workers in Massachusetts formed the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association to protest wage cuts and poor working conditions.
In an effort to protest unfair pay and working conditions, female textile workers in Lowell, Massachusetts, established the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association in February 1844. The association was one of the earliest businesses established by and exclusively for women in the United States, and it had a significant impact on the early labor movement. The group coordinated petition drives and demonstrations to push for improved working conditions and equitable compensation, and they also published a journal called The Lowell Offering that featured essays, poems, and short tales written by female textile workers. Midway through the 1840s, the association disbanded as many of its leaders moved away from Lowell to explore new opportunities or get married.
February 28th, 1935, a scientist named Wallace Carothers invented nylon, a synthetic material that would go on to revolutionize the textile industry.
American chemist Wallace Carothers worked for the DuPont corporation. He was a member of a scientific team that worked to create new synthetic materials that could take the place of natural fibers like silk and wool in the 1920s and 1930s.
The first synthetic fiber utilized in the textile industry was nylon, which Carothers and his team created in 1935. Nylon gained popularity for usage in many products, such as stockings, parachutes, and ropes, since it was durable, lightweight, and resistant to chemicals and heat.
Because it could be produced on a massive scale and was less expensive to create than natural fibers, nylon revolutionized the textile industry. Also, it had a big impact on pop culture since during the 1940s and 1950s, nylon stockings came to represent glitz and refinement. Even in modern times, nylon is still often utilized in a wide range of products, including apparel and industrial components.
In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA, the molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms.
The Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge is where James Watson and Francis Crick made the discovery of DNA's structure (deoxyribonucleic acid). They made a significant advancement in the field of genetics by discovering the double helix structure of DNA, which has had a significant influence on contemporary science.
The discovery made by Watson and Crick demonstrated that DNA is made up of two strands that are wrapped around one another to form a helical structure. The genetic code, which contains the instructions for the growth and operation of every living thing, is made up of four different kinds of strands of nucleotides.
Their discovery built on prior work by other scientists, including Rosalind Franklin, who had investigated the structure of DNA using X-ray crystallography. Franklin's data, which Watson and Crick acquired without her knowledge or consent, served as the foundation for some of their groundbreaking research.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was given to Watson, Crick, and Maurice Wilkins in 1962 for their research on the structure of DNA. Franklin was ineligible for the award because he passed away from cancer in 1958.
In 1983, the final episode of the television series "MAS*H" aired, becoming one of the most-watched television events in history.
After 11 seasons and 251 episodes, the television show "MAS*H" concluded on February 28, 1983. The show was renowned for its blend of comedy and drama as well as its commentary on war and its impact on individuals. It was set during the Korean War and followed a group of surgeons and support workers at a mobile army surgical facility.
One of the most watched television events in history at the time was the final episode, "Goodbye, Bye and Amen," which was watched by an estimated 106 million people. A two-and-a-half-hour special, the episode concluded many of the show's plotlines and contained several standout sequences and moments.
Over its tenure, the program had high ratings from critics and was recognized with various honors and nominations, including 14 Emmy Awards. It has become a treasured and enduring television classic because of its influence on popular culture and its depiction of the human cost of war.
In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI resigned from his position as head of the Roman Catholic Church, becoming the first pope to do so in nearly 600 years.
With the passing of Pope John Paul II in April 2005, Pope Benedict XVI, who was born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany, was chosen as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Before announcing his resignation on February 11, 2013, Francis presided as Pope for almost eight years, citing his elderly age and failing health.
The resignation of Pope Benedict, which became effective on February 28, 2013, was significant since it marked the first papal resignation in almost 600 years. Given that Pope Gregory XII was the last pope to resign in 1415, his decision was greeted with surprise and rumors.
Pope Benedict retreated from public life and moved back to his native Germany after his resignation. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina became the new pope on March 13, 2013, and he succeeded him.