February 28

Khosrow II, also known as Khosrow Parviz, ascended to the Sasanian throne in 590. He conducted extensive military campaigns against the Byzantine Empire, briefly restoring Persian dominance in the Near East. His reign ushered in a golden age of Persian art, architecture, and culture, with grand palaces and intricate silverwork. He implemented administrative reforms and strengthened the imperial bureaucracy. Prolonged warfare and court intrigue led to his downfall and assassination in 628, marking the beginning of the Sasanian Empire's decline.

Cosimo II de' Medici succeeded his father as Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1609. He was a key patron of Galileo Galilei, supporting his groundbreaking astronomical observations. Under his rule, Tuscany became a center of scientific inquiry and cultural activity. Cosimo encouraged the arts and established the Accademia dei Lincei as a hub for scholars. His reign was marked by a focus on education and the natural sciences. He died of smallpox in 1621 at the age of 30, leaving a legacy of scientific patronage that influenced European learning.

Pietro Ottoboni was an Italian cardinal and influential patron of the arts during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Nephew of Pope Alexander VIII, he used his wealth and position to support composers such as Arcangelo Corelli and Antonio Vivaldi. Ottoboni commissioned lavish musical and theatrical productions at his Roman palazzo, fostering a vibrant cultural scene. He was a member of the Arcadian Academy and contributed to the Baroque artistic flourishing across Europe. His generous patronage helped shape the musical and artistic landscape of his time. He remained a leading figure in the Catholic Church until his death in 1740.

André Dumont was a pioneering Belgian geologist and academic who laid the foundations of modern geological mapping in Belgium. Born in 1809, he conducted extensive surveys to identify mineral deposits and coal fields that fueled the Industrial Revolution. Dumont became a professor at the University of Ghent, where he trained a generation of geologists. He introduced systematic fieldwork methods and stratigraphic classification to Belgian geology. His work on geological nomenclature and mapping standards had a lasting impact on earth sciences. He died in 1857, leaving a detailed geological map that remains a landmark in the study of Belgium's subsurface.

Adolf Zytogorski was a 19th-century Polish-British chess master and translator known in London’s competitive chess clubs. He competed in major tournaments and contributed analytical articles to prominent chess periodicals of his time. Zytogorski also translated literary works from Polish to English, promoting cultural exchange between the two nations. His dual talents in strategy and language made him a distinctive figure in Victorian intellectual society. Though not widely remembered today, his contributions to chess theory and literary translation were valued by his contemporaries.

Clemens von Pirquet was an Austrian physician and immunologist who introduced the concept of allergy to medical science. Born in 1874, he studied at the University of Vienna and later directed the pediatric clinic at the University of Innsbruck. In 1906, he described serum sickness and proposed the term 'allergy' to explain hypersensitive reactions. His pioneering research laid the groundwork for modern immunology and diagnostic skin testing. Pirquet’s work revolutionized our understanding of immune responses and disease mechanisms. He died in 1929, remembered as a founding figure in the field of allergy and immunology.

Guillaume Bigourdan was a French astronomer and academic renowned for his meticulous observations of stars and nebulae. Born in Toulouse in 1851, he studied at the École Normale Supérieure and later became a professor at the Paris Observatory. Bigourdan dedicated his career to verifying and improving star catalogs, reducing observational errors. He led expeditions to measure stellar parallaxes and served as general secretary of the International Astronomical Union. His systematic work contributed significantly to the precision of celestial mapping. He died in 1932, leaving a legacy of rigorous astronomical methodology.

Charles Nicolle was a French biologist and Nobel Prize laureate celebrated for uncovering how epidemic typhus is transmitted. Born in 1866, he directed the Pasteur Institute in Tunis, where he conducted groundbreaking research on lice as disease vectors. In 1928, he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for identifying lice transmission of typhus, saving countless lives. Nicolle’s work laid the foundation for modern epidemiology and vector control strategies. He authored several influential studies on infectious diseases and public health. He died in 1936, leaving a profound impact on tropical medicine.

Isak Penttala was a Finnish politician who served multiple terms in Parliament during the early to mid-20th century. He advocated for social welfare reforms and rural development during a transformative era for Finland. Penttala was known for his commitment to improving education and agricultural policies. His legislative efforts contributed to the stabilization of the Finnish state after independence. Though less remembered today, his steady leadership helped shape Finland’s interwar political landscape. He died in 1955, concluding a long career in public service.

Charles A. Bassett II was an American Air Force officer, engineer, and NASA astronaut selected in the third group of astronauts in 1963. Born in 1931, he graduated from Texas A&M University and served as a test pilot before joining NASA. Bassett played a key role in developing spacecraft systems and trained for the Gemini 9 mission. His technical expertise and leadership contributed to early American spaceflight efforts. Tragically, he was killed in a T-38 jet crash near Ellington Air Force Base in 1966. His legacy endures in the astronaut corps and the history of space exploration.

Born January 23, 1927, in Dallas, Texas. Graduated from MIT with a degree in aeronautical engineering. Served as a US Navy test pilot and flew combat missions in the Korean War. Selected by NASA in 1962 as part of Astronaut Group 2. Assigned as command pilot for the Gemini 9 mission. Tragically died in a T-38 jet crash at St. Louis Lambert Field on February 28, 1966. Never flew in space, but made significant contributions to spacecraft systems engineering.

Born in Manchester, England, in 1888. Began career as a music critic and developed a distinctive literary style. Wrote acclaimed cricket reports for The Guardian and The Observer. Blended vivid storytelling with technical analysis of the game. Authored influential books on music and cricket. Awarded CBE in 1948 for services to journalism. Regarded as one of the most influential sports writers of the 20th century.