February 29

Sunday 29, 2004:

Jean-Bertrand Aristide resigns as President of Haiti following popular rebel uprising.

Tuesday 29, 2000:

A seven-year-old student opens fire on a six-year-old classmate at Buell Elementary school in Mount Morris Township, Michigan. http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/02/29/school.shooting.02/

Thursday 29, 1996:

A Peruvian Boeing 737 crashes in the Andes, killing 123 people.

Monday 29, 1988:

South African archbishop Desmond Tutu is arrested along with 100 clergymen during a five-day anti-apartheid demonstration in Cape Town

Wednesday 29, 1984:

Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau announces he will retire as soon as the Liberals can elect another leader.

Tuesday 29, 1972:

Hank Aaron becomes the first player in the history of Major League Baseball to sign a $200,000 contract.

Saturday 29, 1964:

In Sydney, Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser sets a new world record in the 100-meter freestyle swimming competition (58.9 seconds).

Monday 29, 1960:

An earthquake in Morocco kills over 3,000 people and nearly destroys Agadir in the southern part of the country.

Friday 29, 1952:

The island of Heligoland is restored to German authority.

Tuesday 29, 1944:

World War II: The Admiralty Islands are invaded in the American General Douglas MacArthur-led Operation Brewer.

Thursday 29, 1940:

Finland initiates Winter War peace negotiations

Saturday 29, 1936:

Baby Snooks, played by Fanny Brice, debuts on the radio program The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air.

Monday 29, 1932:

TIME magazine features eccentric American politician William "Alfalfa" Murray on its cover after Murray stated his intention to run for President of the United States.

Tuesday 29, 1916:

Child labor: In South Carolina, the minimum working age for factory, mill, and mine workers is raised from twelve to fourteen years old.

Monday 29, 1892:

Saint Petersburg, Florida incorporated.

Monday 29, 1864:

Plans to free 15,000 Union soldiers being held near Richmond, Virginia are thwarted.

Thursday 29, 1720:

Queen Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden abdicates

Monday 29, 1712:

February 29 is followed by February 30 in Sweden, in a move to abolish the Swedish calendar for a return to the Old style.

Friday 29, 1704:

Queen Anne's War: French forces and Native Americans attack and destroy Deerfield, Massachusetts, killing 100 men, women, and children.

Monday 29, 1504:

Christopher Columbus uses his knowledge of a lunar eclipse that night to convince Native Americans to provide him with supplies.

More on February, 29

• People Born on February, 29
• They left us on February, 29