Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
February 29 Sunday, February 29, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 29 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
4
Holidays
US history 134 years ago
St. Petersburg, Florida is incorporated.
St. Petersburg becomes Florida's first city incorporated through a private landowner's initiative, founded by Russian nobleman Peter Demens.
History
What happened on February 29
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 888European history
Odo, count of Paris, is crowned king of West Francia (France) by Archbishop Walter of Sens at Compiègne.
Odo is crowned king of West Francia by Archbishop Walter of Sens in a ceremony at Compiègne.
- 1504US history
Christopher Columbus uses his knowledge of a lunar eclipse that night to convince Jamaican natives to provide him with supplies.
Columbus uses his prediction of a lunar eclipse to persuade Jamaican natives to supply his crew with food and water.
- 1644World history
Abel Tasman's second Pacific voyage begins as he leaves Batavia in command of three ships.
Abel Tasman sets sail from Batavia to explore the Pacific Ocean with a fleet of three ships.
- 1704US history
In Queen Anne's War, French forces and Native Americans stage a raid on Deerfield, Massachusetts Bay Colony, killing 56 villagers and taking more than 100 captive.
French forces and Native Americans raid Deerfield, killing 56 villagers and taking over 100 captives.
- 1796US history
The Jay Treaty between the United States and Great Britain comes into force, facilitating ten years of peaceful trade between the two nations.
The Jay Treaty comes into effect, fostering a decade of peaceful trade relations between the United States and Great Britain.
- 1892US history
St. Petersburg, Florida is incorporated.
St. Petersburg becomes Florida's first city incorporated through a private landowner's initiative, founded by Russian nobleman Peter Demens.
- 1960Disaster
The 5.7 Mw Agadir earthquake shakes coastal Morocco with a maximum perceived intensity of X (Extreme), destroying Agadir and leaving 12,000 dead and another 12,000 injured.
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake destroys the Moroccan coastal city of Agadir, killing 12,000 people and injuring 12,000 more.
- 1980Sports
Gordie Howe of the Hartford Whalers makes NHL history as he scores his 800th goal.
Gordie Howe scores his 800th career goal, becoming the first player to achieve this milestone in National Hockey League history.
- 2020Politics
The United States and the Taliban sign the Doha Agreement for bringing peace to Afghanistan.
The United States and the Taliban sign the Doha Agreement, aiming to reduce violence and withdraw American troops from Afghanistan.
- 2020Politics
During a demonstration, pro-government colectivos shoot at disputed President and Speaker of the National Assembly Juan Guaidó and his supporters in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, leaving five injured.
Pro-government colectivos open fire on Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó and his supporters in Barquisimeto, injuring five people.
- 2020Politics
Muhyiddin Yassin is appointed as the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia, amid the 2020 Malaysian political crisis.
Muhyiddin Yassin is appointed Malaysia's 8th Prime Minister during the country's 2020 political crisis.
- 2024War
The Flour Massacre took place in the Gaza Strip: Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians waiting for aid amidst the Gaza war, killing over 100 and wounding 750.
Israeli forces fired upon Palestinians waiting for aid in the Gaza Strip, resulting in more than 100 deaths and over 750 injuries.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 29
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 22
Lydia Jacoby
American swimmer
Lydia Jacoby, the first Alaskan swimmer to compete in the Olympics and gold medalist in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2020 Tokyo Games, turns 22 today.
Born
2004
Turns 22
today
Dickey Pearce
American baseball player and manager
1836 – 1908
Jimmy Dorsey
American saxophonist, composer and bandleader
1904 – 1957
Henri Richard
Canadian ice hockey player
1936 – 2020
Tim Powers
American author and educator
b. 1952 · 74
Ja Rule
American rapper and actor
b. 1976 · 50
Simon Gagné
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1980 · 46
Music
The number one songs on February 29
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2024"Texas Hold 'Em"— Beyoncé
- 2020"No Time to Die"— Billie Eilish
- 2016"7 Years"— Lukas Graham
- 2012"Hot Right Now"— DJ Fresh featuring Rita Ora
- 2008"Mercy"— Duffy
- 2004"Who's David?"— Busted
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport February 29, 1980
Gordie Howe of the Hartford Whalers makes NHL history as he scores his 800th goal.
Gordie Howe scores his 800th career goal, becoming the first player to achieve this milestone in National Hockey League history.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 29, 1504
Christopher Columbus uses his knowledge of a lunar eclipse to intimidate Jamaican natives into providing food
Stranded in Jamaica and facing starvation as local inhabitants refused to provide supplies, Columbus consulted an almanac and accurately predicted the total lunar eclipse. The frightened natives resumed trading food after the eclipse occurred as foretold.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
As a Christian feast day: Saint John Cassian
International
John Cassian, also known as John the Ascetic and John Cassian the Roman, was a Christian monk and theologian celebrated in both the Western and Eastern churches for his mystical writings
As a Christian feast day: February 29 in the Orthodox church
International
February 28 - Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar - March 1 (On non-leap years, the commemorations below are celebrated on February 28
Rare Disease Day (in leap years; usually celebrated in common years on February 28)
International
Rare Disease Day is an observance held on the last day of February to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases an
Bachelor's Day (Ireland and United Kingdom)
International
Bachelor's Day, sometimes known as Ladies' Privilege, is an Irish tradition by which women are allowed to propose to men on Leap Day, 29 February, based on a legend of Saint Bridget and Saint Patrick
❝
I was definitely racing for a medal. I knew I had it in me.
— Lydia Jacoby · born February 29, 2004