On this day

29 February in history.

5 moments from 1940 to 2020: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Promotional photograph of actor Hattie McDaniel (1939)

1940

Hattie McDaniel wins an Oscar. Actor Hattie McDaniel won the Oscar for best supporting actress for Gone with the Wind. No African American had won an Academy Award before.

Wikipedia: Hattie McDaniel

Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 29 February

1980
A newspaper for leap days only
La Bougie du Sapeur, a French humour paper, printed its first issue. It comes out only on 29 February, once every four years.
Wikipedia: La Bougie du Sapeur
1980
Gordie Howe scores goal 800
At 51 years old, ice hockey great Gordie Howe scored his 800th goal in the NHL.
Wikipedia: Gordie Howe
Photo: Ralston-Purina Company, makers of Chex cereals / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
2012
Tokyo Skytree is finished
Builders completed Tokyo Skytree, at 634 metres the tallest tower in the world.
Wikipedia: Tokyo Skytree
Photo: Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
2020
Free buses and trains for a whole country
Luxembourg became the first country to make public transport free for everyone across the nation.
Wikipedia: Free public transport Wikipedia: Luxembourg
Photo: Drawn by User:SKopp / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.