This day in history: 29 february

1712 – Sweden’s Unique Calendar Day: On this day, Sweden followed February 29 with February 30 as part of a complicated attempt to transition from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, a move unique in European history.
1768 – Bar Confederation in Poland: Polish nobles formed the Bar Confederation to defend the internal and external independence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth against Russian influence and their own king, Stanisław II Augustus.
1796 – Jay Treaty Comes into Force: The Jay Treaty between the United States and Great Britain, which facilitated ten years of peaceful trade and resolved lingering issues from the American Revolution, came into effect. This had significant implications for European diplomacy and trade at the time.
1992 – Bosnian Independence Referendum: The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina began its referendum on independence, which led to its declaration of independence from Yugoslavia on March 3. This event was pivotal in European history, marking the start of the Bosnian War.

1940: Hattie McDaniel became the first Black actor to win an Academy Award, earning Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in “Gone With the Wind.” This was a landmark moment in both American cinema and civil rights history.
1504: Christopher Columbus, stranded in Jamaica during his fourth voyage, used his knowledge of a lunar eclipse to convince local Jamaicans to provide him and his crew with food, claiming he could make the moon disappear if they did not cooperate.
1704: During Queen Anne’s War, French and Native American forces raided Deerfield, Massachusetts, killing over 50 villagers and taking more than 100 captive. This was a significant event in colonial American history.
1796: President George Washington proclaimed the Jay Treaty in effect, establishing ten years of peaceful trade between the United States and Great Britain and resolving outstanding issues from the Revolutionary War.
1892: The city of St. Petersburg, Florida, was officially incorporated.
1916: In South Carolina, the minimum working age for factory, mill, and mine workers was raised from 12 to 14 years old, reflecting early labor reforms in the U.S..
1960: The first Playboy Club opened in Chicago, marking a cultural milestone in American nightlife and entertainment.
2020: The U.S. and the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha, Qatar, for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, signaling the beginning of the end of the longest war in U.S. history.

2020 – Doha Agreement: The United States and the Taliban signed the Doha Agreement aimed at bringing peace to Afghanistan, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s recent history.
2020 – Malaysia Political Crisis: Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed as the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia, following a major political upheaval in the country.
2024 – Flour Massacre in Gaza: Over 100 Palestinians were killed and more than 750 wounded when Israeli forces opened fire on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in Gaza, a tragic event in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
1752 – Founding of Konbaung Dynasty: Alaungpaya, a village chief in Upper Burma (now Myanmar), founded the Konbaung Dynasty, unifying Myanmar and expelling French and British forces.
1932 – Manchukuo Established: In East Asia, Manchukuo was established with Henry Pu Yi as emperor, marking a significant event in Japanese imperial history.

1964 – Zanzibar Applies for WHO Membership: On February 29, 1964, Zanzibar, which had gained independence from British rule in December 1963, formally submitted its application to join the World Health Organization. This marked a significant step in Zanzibar’s international recognition and participation in global health initiatives.
1960 – Agadir Earthquake in Morocco: A devastating 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Agadir, Morocco, late at night on February 29, 1960. The disaster lasted just 15 seconds but wiped out a third of the city’s population, resulting in around 15,000 deaths and leaving tens of thousands homeless.
Black History Month and Leap Day: While not exclusive to Africa, February 29 sometimes extends Black History Month, which is observed in several countries with significant African diaspora communities. This extra day is seen as a bonus opportunity to reflect on the achievements and struggles of people of African descent.