This Day In American History: Feb. 28

Feb. 28, 2017 is the 59th day of the year, with 306 days remaining. The moon is in a waxing crescent phase, rendering the moon visible in the western sky after sunset.

Kathleen Sebelius Accepts HHS Secretary Nomination

Reports surrounding President Obama's pick for Health and Human Services secretary emerged early Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009. The position became vacant following questions raised about first pick Tom Daschle, former U.S. Senate majority meader, and his failure to pay more than $100,000 in taxes for his use of a car and driver.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Kathleen Sebelius, governor of Kansas from 2003 to 2009, by a vote of 65-31, and she was sworn in on April 28, 2009. Former Kansas Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson was consequently sworn in as governor, serving the remainder of Sebelius's term.

President Nixon Ends China Trip

President Nixon's 1972 trip to China was a crucial step in normalizing China-U.S. relations, marking the first time in history that an American president had visited the People's Republic of China, which — at the time — considered the U.S. one of its foes. The visit, which extended from Feb. 21 to Feb. 28, ended a 25-year separation between the two nations.

Prior to his election, Nixon had discussed his interest in and the need for better relations with the PRC. His visit, which included a meeting with then-Chairman Mao Zedong, allowed the American people to view images of China for the first time in more than 20 years. The outcome of the visit proved significant, shifting the Cold War balance and placing the PRC alongside the U.S. against the Soviet Union.

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Photo credit: White House Photographer