Today is Saturday, Feb. 28, the 59th day of 2009. There are 306 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Saturday, Feb. 28, the 59th day of 2009. There are 306 days left in the year. On this date in 1849, the California gold rush begins in earnest as regular steamship service starts bringing gold-seekers to San Francisco.

In 1827, the first U.S. railroad chartered to carry passengers and freight, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Co., is incorporated by the state of Maryland. In 1844, a 12-inch gun aboard the USS Princeton explodes, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Navy Secretary Thomas W. Gilmer and several others. In 1861, the Territory of Colorado is organized. In 1953, scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick announce they have discovered the double-helix structure of DNA, the molecule that contains the human genes. In 1959, American author and playwright Maxwell Anderson dies in Stamford, Conn., at age 70. In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai issue the Shanghai Communique at the conclusion of Nixon’s historic visit to China. In 1975, more than 40 people are killed in London’s Underground when a subway train smashes into the end of a tunnel. In 1986, Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme is shot to death in central Stockholm.

February 28, 1984: A winter storm dumps three to eight inches of snow on the Youngstown area. Some areas of the Eastern United States get as much as 21 inches.

Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins announces a further reorganization of his staff, including the firing of Atty. Patrick J. Donlin as an assistant prosecutor. Donlin has filed to run against Watkins for the Democratic Party nomination for prosecutor.

Columbiana County deputies find a small arsenal in a Winona house that had been rented by a member of the Pagans motorcycle gang. Two submachine guns with four hand-made silencers a sawed-off shotgun, a pistol and boxes of ammunition were found.

February 28, 1969: Fifth Ward Councilman Jack C. Hunter urges the city to act against obscene reading material and movies, especially magazines that are available to youngsters and movies that are “not fit to be seen by anybody.”

Pennsylvania Auditor General Grace Sloan, a Democrat, alleges that Highway Department employees in Lawrence County have extracted kickbacks from contractors for personal use and for the benefit of the county’s Republican Party.

Victor Posner, chairman of the NVF Corp., and his associates take control of Sharon Steel Corp. at a lengthy directors meeting. Posner is elected chairman of the board, replacing George Perrault Jr., who had vigorously opposed a takeover.

February 28, 1959: About 30 people are evacuated safely after fire strikes Christ’s Rescue Mission at 331 E. Federal St.

Mahoning County commissioners approve a 1959 appropriation of $8.3 million, of which $4.2 million is for the general fund.

Five youthful leaders of an auto theft ring have a week to convince their parents to post $500 bonds to assure future good behavior, or they will be sent to the Boys Industrial School.

February 28, 1934: The body of O.C. Douthitt, 49, of Youngstown is recovered from the wreckage of a Pennsylvania Railroad train in Pittsburgh. Douthitt was a fireman on the train. Two other Youngstowners were among the passengers who died in the crash.

Automobile bills of sale so far in February are the highest in three years and more than double the total sales of last February. So far, 197 vehicles were sold in Mahoning County.

Two sites are named for state liquor stores in Youngstown, one at 324-326 W. Federal St. and the other at 12-16 N. Watt St.