Also on This Day in History February 29
Discover what happened on February 29 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.
Births on This Day, February 29
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1692
John Byrom
English poet and inventor of shorthand
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1860
Herman Hollerith
American inventor who invented 1st electric tabulating machine
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1840
John Philip Holland
Irish engineer and father of the modern submarine
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1936
Jack R Lousma
American Naval aviator, and NASA astronaut (Skylab 3, STS-3)
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1972
Pedro Sánchez
Spanish politician and economist, Prime Minister of Spain (2018 - Till Date)
Deaths on This Day, February 29
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1964
Victor van Straelen
Belgian conservationist, paleontologist and carcinologist
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2024
Brian Mulroney
Prime Minister of Canada (1984-93)
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1880
Sir James Wilson
Premier of Tasmania, Only person known to have been born and died on February 29
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1980
Gil Elvgren
American illustrator and commercial artist
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1992
Ruth Pitter
British poet and 1st woman to receive the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1955
1892
St. Petersburg, Florida Officially Incorporated
On February 29, 1892, St. Petersburg, Florida, is formally incorporated as a city, marking a significant milestone in its development and growth. The incorporation sets the stage for the city's future expansion and economic progress.
1940
Hattie McDaniel Becomes First African American to Win an Academy Award
On February 29, 1940, Hattie McDaniel makes history as the first African American to win an Academy Award for her role as Mammy in "Gone With The Wind." Her groundbreaking achievement marks a pivotal moment in Hollywood's recognition of African American talent.
1964
Dawn Fraser Sets World Record in 100m Freestyle and Secures 3rd Consecutive Gold
On February 29, 1964, Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser breaks her own world record with a time of 58.9 seconds in the 100m freestyle in Sydney. This performance leads to her historic third consecutive gold medal in the event at the Tokyo Olympics later that year.
1936
Niels Bohr's "Bowl of Balls" Explanation Published in Nature
On February 29, 1936, Nature publishes Niels Bohr's "bowl of balls" model, offering a significant explanation for the effects of bombarding particles on atomic nuclei. This model plays a crucial role in advancing nuclear physics.