FEBRUARY 28 ~ ON THiS DAY in History (& February 29 on leap years)

FEBRUARY 28 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1959 – Discoverer 1, an American spy satellite that was the first object intended to achieve a polar orbit, was launched on the 28th February in 1959, but It failed to achieve orbit.

1883 – The 1st vaudeville theater opeed in BostonMassachusetts on the 28th February 1883.

1885 – The American Telephone and Telegraph Company was incorporated in New York State on the 28th February 1885, as the subsidiary of American Bell Telephone.

1935 – DuPont scientist Wallace Carothers invented nylon on the 28th February 1935.

1944Storm Thorgerson the English graphic designer was born on the 28th February 1944 (died on the 18th April 2013). Storm Thorgerson was best known for his rock artwork for Led ZeppelinPink FloydPeter GabrielGenesisBlack SabbathScorpionsEuropeDream TheaterThe CranberriesMuse, and many more.

1948Mike Brady (AM) the Australian musician was born on the 28th February 1948. Mike Brady is best known for his association with the Australian rules football anthems Up There Cazaly, and One Day in September. Up There Cazaly topped the Australian singles charts in September 1979, briefly holding the record as best-selling Australian single.

1954 – The 1st color television sets using the NTSC standard are offered for sale on the 28th February in 1954, to the general public.

1957 – Cindy Wilson the American singer-songwriter from The B-52’s was born on the 28th February 1957.

1969 – Patrick Monahan the American singer-songwriter from Train was born on the 28th February 1969.

1959 – Discoverer 1 the American spy satellite that was the 1st object intended to achieve a polar orbit, was launched on the 28th February 1959, but It failed to achieve orbit.

1995Quinn Shephard the American actress was born on the 28th February 1995.

2013 – Pope Benedict XVI resigned as the pope of the Catholic Church on the 28th February 2013, becoming the 1st pope to do so since 1415.

FEBRUARY 29 ~ ON THiS LEAP DAY in History on LEAP YEARS

February 29 is also known as the leap day of the Gregorian calendar, that occurs in most years that are divisible by 4, such as 2012, 2016 and 2020. Years containing a leap day are called leap years.

1504 – Christopher Columbus used his knowledge of a lunar eclipse on the night of the 29th February 1504,  to convince Native Americans to provide him with supplies.

1644 – Abel Tasman‘s 2nd Pacific voyage began on the 29th February 1644.

1892 – St. Petersburg, Florida was incorporated on the 29th February 1892.

1932 – Jaguar the Brazilian cartoonist was born on the 29th February 1932.

1940 – For her role as Mammy in Gone with the WindHattie McDaniel became the 1st African American to win an Academy Award on the 29th February 1940.

1952 – The island of Heligoland was restored to German authority on the 29th February 1952.

1956 – Jonathan Coleman the Australian radio host was born on the 29th February 1956.

1960 – An earthquake in Morocco killed over 3,000 people on the 29th February 1960, and nearly destroyed Agadir in the southern part of the country.

1960 – Tony Robbins the American motivational speaker and author was born on the 29th February 1960.

1964 – In Sydney, Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser set a new world record in the 100-meter freestyle swimming competition on the 29th February 1964.

1968 – Frank Woodley the Australian comedian and actor was born on the 29th February 1968.

2012 – Davy Jones the English singer, guitarist and actor from The Monkees died on the 29th February 2012 (born 30th December 1945).

2012 – Tokyo Skytree construction was completed on the 29th February 2012, making it the tallest tower in the world, 634 meters high, and 2nd tallest (man-made) structure on Earth, next to Burj Khalifa.

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