February 29 in History

• 1836

  February 29, 1836:

  “Les Huguenots” by German composer Giacomo Meyerbeer premieres in Paris.

• 1940

  February 29, 1940:

  Actress Hattie McDaniel becomes the first African-American to be presented with an Oscar for her role in the 1939 film, “Gone with the Wind”.

• 1960

  February 29, 1960:

  The Agadir earthquake hits close to the city of Agadir in Morocco.

• February 29, 1960:

  The first Playboy Club opens in Chicago with waitresses known as bunnies.

• 1968

  February 29, 1968:

  The Beatles receive a Grammy Award for “Best Album” for their eighth studio album, "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

• 1980

  February 29, 1980:

  Michael Bracey, an Englishman, is finally rescued after being trapped in an elevator for 59 hours and 55 minutes.

• February 29, 1980:

  Canadian hockey star Gordie Howe scores his 800th goal in the NHL, making him the first player in the sport’s history to achieve this score.

• February 29, 1980:

  The glasses of rock and roll musician, Buddy Holly, who died in a plane crash in 1959, resurface in Mason City, Iowa.

• 1992

  February 29, 1992:

  The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina organizes a referendum to vote on being independent from Serbia.

• 2000

  February 29, 2000: Eric Clapton is slapped with a six-month ban from driving after he is found guilty of over-speeding.

• 2004

  February 29, 2004:

  “The Lord of the Rings” film series’ final instalment, “The Return of the King” wins 11 awards at the Academy Awards.