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Today is Thursday, Feb. 28, the 59th day of 2002. There are 306 days left in the year. 

Today’s Highlight in History: 

On Feb. 28, 1951, the Senate committee headed by Estes Kefauver, D-Tenn., issued a preliminary report saying at least two major crime syndicates were operating in the United States. 

On this date: 

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

In 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. 

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

In 1854, some 50 slavery opponents met in Ripon, Wis., to call for creation of a new political group, which became the Republican Party. 

In 1861, the Territory of Colorado was organized. 

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

In 1975, more than 40 people were killed in London’s Underground when a subway train smashed into the end of a tunnel. 

In 1986, Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme was shot to death in central Stockholm. 

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

In 1996, Britain’s Princess Diana agreed to divorce Prince Charles. 

Ten years ago: Twenty-eight people were injured when an IRA bomb exploded at London Bridge train station. 

Five years ago: Brushing aside congressional calls for a tougher stance against Mexico, President Clinton recertified the country as a fully cooperating ally in the struggle against drug smuggling. In North Hollywood, Calif., two heavily armed masked robbers bungled a bank heist and came out firing, unleashing their arsenal on police, bystanders, cars and TV choppers before they were killed. 

One year ago: A powerful earthquake rocked the Northwest, shattering windows, showering bricks onto sidewalks and sending frightened people running into the streets in places like Seattle and Portland, Ore. A train collision in northeast England killed 10 people and injured more than 70. 

Today’s Birthdays: Actress Billie Bird is 94. Actor Charles Durning is 79. Svetlana Alliluyeva, daughter of Josef Stalin, is 76. Actor Gavin MacLeod is 71. Actor Don Francks is 70. Actor-director-dancer Tommy Tune is 63. Auto racer Mario Andretti is 62. Singer Joe South is 62. Actor Frank Bonner is 60. Actress Kelly Bishop is 58. Football player Bubba Smith is 57. Actress Stephanie Beacham is 55. Actress Mercedes Ruehl is 54. Actress Bernadette Peters is 54. Basketball player Adrian Dantley is 46. Actor John Turturro is 45. Rock singer Cindy Wilson is 45. Actress Rae Dawn Chong is 41. Actor Robert Sean Leonard is 33. Actress Maxine Bahns is 31.