February 28

Cuauhtémoc ascended as the last emperor of the Aztec empire following the fall of Tenochtitlan. In an effort to suppress continuing resistance, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés ordered his capture and execution. On February 28, 1525, Cuauhtémoc was accused of plotting against the Spanish and was hanged. His death symbolized the definitive collapse of Aztec sovereignty and the consolidation of Spanish rule in central Mexico. Despite his brief reign, Cuauhtémoc is remembered as a valiant defender of his people against overwhelming odds. Today, he is celebrated in Mexican history and culture as a national hero and symbol of resistance.

Beginning on February 28, 1947, tensions in Taiwan boiled over into mass protests against corrupt officials of the Chinese Nationalist government. What started as street demonstrations quickly escalated when government forces opened fire on unarmed civilians. Over the next weeks, an estimated 18,000 to 28,000 Taiwanese were killed in reprisals and martial law operations. The massacre and subsequent White Terror suppressed political dissent for decades under Kuomintang rule. For many years, the February 28 Incident was taboo, but in recent decades it has been officially acknowledged and commemorated. It remains a pivotal event in Taiwan's history, shaping its identity and future democratization movements.

On February 28, 1948, ex-servicemen of the Gold Coast Regiment marched on Christiansborg Castle to demand pensions and fair treatment. Colonial police Superintendent Colin Imray ordered his officers to fire on the demonstrators. Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, and Private Odartey Lamptey were killed, sparking widespread outrage. The riots marked a turning point in the colony, galvanizing nationalist sentiment against British rule. In the aftermath, six leading activists known as the Big Six were arrested and imprisoned. These events laid the groundwork for the Gold Coast's eventual independence as Ghana in 1957.

IRA volunteers positioned a homemade mortar launcher near the RUC base in Newry and fired multiple projectiles through the station’s outer wall. The explosion ripped through the assembly area where officers were gathered, resulting in nine fatalities and several serious injuries. The attack shocked Northern Ireland and drew international condemnation for its bold execution and high death toll. RUC authorities immediately reinforced station defenses and revised security protocols for protected sites. The British government intensified its counterterrorism efforts, and the incident deepened sectarian tensions in the region. Newry’s community commemorates the fallen officers with memorial events each year.

On February 28, 2002, communal clashes in the Indian state of Gujarat escalated into two coordinated massacres. In Naroda Patiya, armed mobs attacked Muslim residents, killing 97 men, women, and children in brutal fashion. Simultaneously in the Gulbarg Society neighborhood of Ahmedabad, at least 69 residents were slain, including former Member of Parliament Ehsan Jafri. Eyewitnesses recounted brutal beatings, arson, and delays in police intervention. The violence formed part of widespread unrest following the Godhra train burning earlier that month. Survivors faced lost homes and deep psychological scars as relief efforts struggled to keep pace. Investigations and trials in subsequent years aimed to bring perpetrators to justice amid allegations of state complicity. The tragedies remain a painful chapter in India's struggle with communal harmony and rule of law.