What happened This day in History on February 29th
For Those With Birthdays 29th February looking for specific year these years are Included on this date 1940, 1944, 1960, 1972, 2008, 2012,
United States
1940 United States Hattie McDaniels Wins Oscar
29th February, 1940: Hattie McDaniels becomes the first African-American person to be nominated for and win an Academy Award. She won the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Mammy in the movie Gone With the Wind.
Admiralty Islands
1944 Admiralty Islands Operation Brewer
29th February, 1944: General MacArthur and Allied forces invade the Admiralty Islands beginning Operation Brewer and face fierce battles against Japanese forces. The operation ends in May of 1944 and is successful for the Allies.
United States
1960 United States Family Circus Comics Begin
29th February, 1960: The popularly syndicated comic strip Family Circus created by Bil Keane makes its debut in 1960.
United States
1972 United States Hank Aaron Signs Large Contract
29th February, 1972: Hank Aaron signs a $200,000 dollar contract, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball to get that large of a contract.
Bulgaria
2008 Bulgaria Fire Sweeps Through Passenger Train
29th February, 2008: A fire swept through a passenger train in Bulgaria killing at least three people and injuring others. The cause of the fire was unknown and affected two carriages carrying about sixty people.
North Korea
2012 North Korea North Korea Agrees to Suspend Uranium Enrichment
29th February, 2012 : North Korea has agreed to a moratorium on nuclear missile tests and uranium enrichment after participating in talks with the United States. The United States agreed to send 240,000 tons of food aid the country in return.
United States
2012 United States Monkees Singer Davy Jones Dies
29th February, 2012 : Singer of the popular 60s group, The Monkees, Davy Jones died at the age of 66 after suffering from a heart attack. The popular singer and former teen idol became a member of The Monkees in 1966 and starred in The Monkees' television show. Jones had also acted in a few other television shows during his career. Later in life he went back to his first passion of horses and became a jockey.