February 28 in History
February 28 is the birthday of Vitor Roque (2005) and the anniversary of the death of Ali Khamenei (2026). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for February 28, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
Discover your ethnicity and find relatives with AncestryDNA.
Margaret of Scotland, Queen of Norway was born in 1261, while Khosrow II, Shah of Iran, Sasanian Empire died in 628.
Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.
Famous people born on February 28
Famous people who died on February 28
2026
Mohammad Pakpour (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Iranian military officer and commander of the IRGC (1961–2026)
2024
Héctor Ortiz (baseball) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Puerto Rican baseball player and coach (1969–2024)
2020
Freeman Dyson (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
British theoretical physicist and mathematician (1923–2020)
2004
Daniel J. Boorstin (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American historian and 12th Librarian of Congress (1914–2004)
What happened on February 28
- 2026
The United States and Israel launch attacks across Iran, assassinating Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Retaliatory strikes are launched by Iran against US military bases in the Gulf, with explosions reported in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2024
Prime Minister Modi of India inaugurates the 2nd Space Port of India - Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2023
Two trains collide south of the Vale of Tempe in Greece, leading to the deaths of at least 57 people and leaving 58 missing and 85 injured.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2013
Pope Benedict XVI resigns as the pope of the Catholic Church, becoming the first pope to do so voluntarily since Pope Gregory XII in 1415.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2002
During the religious violence in Gujarat, 97 people are killed in the Naroda Patiya massacre and 69 in the Gulbarg Society massacre.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2001
The 2001 Nisqually earthquake, having a moment magnitude of 6.8, with epicenter in southern Puget Sound, damages the Seattle metropolitan area.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1997
An earthquake in northern Iran is responsible for about 1,100 deaths.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1997
A Turkish military memorandum results in the collapse of the coalition government in Turkey.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1993
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents raid the Branch Davidian church in Waco, Texas with a warrant to arrest the group's leader David Koresh, starting a 51-day standoff.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1990
Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on STS-36.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1986
Olof Palme, 26th Prime Minister of Sweden, is assassinated in Stockholm.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1985
The Provisional Irish Republican Army carries out a mortar attack on the Royal Ulster Constabulary police station at Newry, killing nine officers.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1983
The final episode of M*A*S*H airs, with almost 110 million viewers.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1975
In London, an underground train fails to stop at Moorgate terminus station and crashes into the end of the tunnel, killing 43 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1974
The British election ends in a hung parliament after the Jeremy Thorpe-led Liberal Party achieved their biggest vote share since 1929.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on February 28
- 1261 — Margaret of Scotland, Queen of Norway (died 1283)
- 1518 — Francis III, Duke of Brittany, Duke of Brittany (died 1536)
- 1533 — Michel de Montaigne, French philosopher and author (died 1592)
Died on February 28
- 628 — Khosrow II, Shah of Iran, Sasanian Empire (born c. (circa) 570)
- 1621 — Cosimo II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany (born 1590)
- 1648 — Christian IV, King of Denmark (born 1577)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for February 28
Quick answers
Who was born on February 28? Vitor Roque (2005), Moise Kean (2000), Josip Šutalo (2000).
Who died on February 28? Ali Khamenei (2026), Aziz Nasirzadeh (2026), Mohammad Pakpour (2026).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in February? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the February 28 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
Discover your ethnicity and find relatives with AncestryDNA.
Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.