10 Historical Events That Happened on Leap Day

10 Historical Events That Happened on Leap Day

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re taking a look at major events that occurred on February 29, that extra day that comes but once every four years.

The First Leap Day

45 B.C.

Let’s start at the very beginning. Julius Caesar’s impact is felt even centuries later, but we bet you didn’t know he was responsible for leap years. Aided by Greek astronomer Sosigenes, Caesar sought to make the Roman calendar align with the solar calendar, ultimately resulting in the Julian calendar. Taking a page from the Egyptians, this calendar encompassed an average of 365.25 days. To make things nice and even, it was decided that an additional day would be added to the calendar every four years. The math was slightly off, as the average calendar year is closer to 365.2422. This prompted Pope Gregory XIII to introduce the Gregorian calendar in the 16th century and it remains the norm throughout most of the world.

Christopher Columbus Looks to a Lunar Eclipse

1504

Some believe that Christopher Columbus was a great explorer. Others say that he was simply in the right place at the right time. Time was certainly on Columbus’ side in 1504 toward the end of his fourth and final voyage. Columbus and his men were stranded in Jamaica, receiving little help from Governor of the Indies Nicolás de Ovando. The island’s indigenous people supplied Columbus’ crew with food as they waited to be rescued. After nearly half a year, though, the locals cut Columonus off, feeling the Spaniards weren’t giving much in return. Columbus realized that a lunar eclipse was coming on February 29. In a power play, Columbus told the Jamaicans that their actions would turn the Moon red, convincing them to continue providing.

First Warrants for The Salem Witch Trials

1692

The Salem witch trials stand out as one of the most notorious blemishes in American history. While the trials lasted just over a year, they led to more than 200 people being accused, 30 being found guilty, and at least 20 dying. This injustice commenced on February 29, 1692, when arrest warrants were issued for three women: Sarah Good, who was destitute, Sarah Osborne, who rarely attended church because of her health, and Tituba, an enslaved Native woman. Where Good and Osborne professed their innocence, Tituba claimed that she spoke to the devil, who influenced her to harm children. Good was executed after refusing to confess while Osborne died in prison. Although Tituba was released and sold, it’s unclear what became of her.

Hattie McDaniel Makes Oscar History

1940

The 12th Academy Awards marked multiple firsts. In addition to being the first Oscar ceremony to fall on a leap day, Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American (as well as the first person of color) to win an Academy Award. McDaniel prevailed for her supporting performance as Mammy in “Gone with the Wind,” beating co-star Olivia de Havilland. McDaniel nearly wasn’t allowed to attend due to the segregated venue, although producer David O. Selznick pulled some strings. Despite not being permitted to sit with anybody other than her agent, William Meiklejohn, McDaniel delivered a historic acceptance speech before her peers. Just as leap years are a rarity, it would be a while before another Black performer won an Oscar… much longer than four years.

A Future Pope Almost Dies

1944

The world came to know him as Pope John Paul II. On February 29, 1944, though, he was Karol Józef Wojtyła, who was still a couple of years away from becoming a priest. At the time, Wojtyła was working at a limestone quarry. Heading home on this leap day, he was struck by a German truck in a hit-and-run. Wojtyła’s unconscious body was eventually discovered and taken to the hospital where he recuperated over the next two weeks. In addition to various cuts and an injured shoulder, Wojtyła endured a fractured skull and a nearly fatal concussion. Wojtyła was already considering dedicating his life to a higher power. This accident was seen as a turning point that in time led him to the Vatican.

“The Family Circus” Debuts

1960

For over 60 years, “The Family Circus” has been a staple of newspaper comics. The strip’s eponymous family was introduced on February 29, 1960. Technically, we only met the family matriarch in the first strip. Answering the door, Mommy is confronted by a survey taker, who inquires if there are any children in the house. Apparently, the toys scattered across the floor and the annoyed look on Mommy’s face weren’t dead giveaways. To answer his question, there were three children, Dolly, Billy, and Jeffy, with a fourth, P.J., being born in 1962. Despite most of the family being absent from the debut strip, creator Bil Keane quickly established a tone for his comic, which his son Jeff continues to this day.

The First Royal Birth

1964

James Ogilvy was born to Princess Alexandra of Kent and Sir Angus Ogilvy, the former of whom is Queen Elizabeth II’s first cousin. While any royal baby is sure to make headlines, Ogilvy’s birthday had the distinction of occurring on February 29. This made Ogilvy the first member of the British royal family to be born on a leap day. His parents didn’t anticipate this, as Ogilvy was more than a week overdue. Aided by her husband, Princess Alexandra gave birth at her home in Richmond Park, Thatched House Lodge. Princess Alexandra is no stranger to unique birthdays, as she was born on Christmas Day. Ogilvy grew up to pursue a career in landscape design and photography in addition to launching the magazine Luxury Briefing.

Hank Aaron Becomes MLB’s Highest-Paid Player

1972

For the longest time, Babe Ruth was the name everyone associated with home runs. By the early 70s, though, Hank Aaron was on his way to breaking Ruth’s record. About two years before surpassing Ruth, Aaron reached another Major League milestone. Securing his next three years with the Atlanta Braves, Aaron signed a contract on February 29, 1972. With this new deal came a pay increase of $200,000 annually, which would be just under $1.5 million today. When Aaron’s baseball career started almost two decades earlier, he was making a mere $200 per month. Aaron had not only come a long way since then, but his yearly salary was now larger than any other player’s in Major League Baseball.

Buddy Holly’s Glasses Uncovered

1980

February 3, 1959 is forever known to rock and roll fans as the Day the Music Died. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper were on a plane to Moorhead, Minnesota. They sadly didn’t make it past Clear Lake, Iowa where the three stars and pilot Roger Peterson perished. Holly was instantly recognizable thanks to his thick glasses, which were seemingly lost in the crash. That was until the snow melted. Along with other items like the Big Bopper’s watch, Holly’s glasses were found, albeit with damaged lenses. They were acquired by the local sheriff’s office and put in an envelope marked April 7, 1959. However, this envelope wouldn’t resurface until February 29, 1980, with the glasses going to Holly’s widow, María Elena Holly.

The Siege of Sarajevo Ends

1996

February 29, 1996, was among the busiest news days in the history of leap years. The 123 souls aboard Faucett Flight 251 tragically didn’t reach their destination, marking Peru’s deadliest plane crash to date. On the other side of the world, the Siege of Sarajevo entered its final stages after 1,425 agonizing days. Commencing on April 5, 1992, the blockade of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital was a key factor during the Bosnian War. Although the war ended on December 14, 1995, with the signing of the Dayton Accords, the Bosnian Serbs had yet to withdraw. The Bosnian independence referendum was underway by the following leap day, allowing Sarajevo to declare the siege over. It remains the longest military siege of modern times.

Has anything fascinating ever happened to you on a leap day? Share your experiences in the comments!