February 29

Events

888day.year

Odo, count of Paris, is crowned king of West Francia (France) by Archbishop Walter of Sens at Compiègne.

In 888, Odo, Count of Paris, was crowned King of West Francia at Compiègne.
On February 29, 888, Odo, a formidable Frankish noble and Count of Paris, was anointed King of West Francia by Archbishop Walter of Sens at Compiègne. His coronation marked the end of Carolingian dominance and the rise of a new dynastic line. Odo earned his place by defending Paris against Viking sieges, winning the loyalty of his peers. This event underscores the volatile nature of early medieval politics and the role of military leadership. Odo’s reign set the stage for the eventual establishment of the Capetian dynasty.
888 Odo count of Paris West Francia Walter of Sens Compiègne
1504day.year

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

In 1504, Christopher Columbus used his knowledge of a lunar eclipse to pressure Jamaican natives into supplying his stranded crew.
On February 29, 1504, while stranded on Jamaica, Christopher Columbus leveraged his forecast of a lunar eclipse to command local attention. He warned native leaders that their gods would darken the moon if they failed to continue provisions for his crew. As the eclipse unfolded, fear gripped the islanders, compelling them to honor their promise of food and water. This clever display of astronomical knowledge highlights Columbus’s navigational expertise. The incident exemplifies the interplay of science, belief, and power during the Age of Exploration. It remains one of the most famous examples of using celestial events for political leverage.
1504 Christopher Columbus a lunar eclipse that night
1644day.year

Abel Tasman's second Pacific voyage begins as he leaves Batavia in command of three ships.

In 1644, Abel Tasman embarked on his second Pacific voyage from Batavia, commanding three ships in search of new lands.
On February 29, 1644, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman set sail from Batavia (present-day Jakarta) on his second Pacific expedition. He commanded three ships tasked with expanding the Dutch East India Company’s maritime routes. Tasman had previously discovered Tasmania and New Zealand, and this voyage aimed to map uncharted territories. The expedition navigated through the Pacific in hopes of finding rich trading opportunities. Although this voyage yielded fewer major discoveries, it strengthened Dutch presence in the region. Tasman’s voyages significantly contributed to European geographic knowledge and colonial expansion.
1644 Abel Tasman Batavia
1704day.year

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.

During Queen Anne’s War in 1704, French and Native American forces raided Deerfield, Massachusetts, killing villagers and taking captives.
On February 29, 1704, as part of Queen Anne’s War, a combined force of French troops and Native American warriors attacked Deerfield in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. They killed 56 settlers and captured over 100, including women and children, during a lightning raid. The Deerfield Massacre shocked the English colonists and fueled animosity on the New England frontier. The captives were marched northward to Canada; some later returned, while others remained in French territories. The raid illustrates the brutal nature of colonial warfare and the shifting alliances of the time. It had a lasting impact on colonial defense strategies and relations with Native tribes.
1704 Queen Anne's War Native Americans raid on Deerfield, Massachusetts Bay Colony
1712day.year

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

Sweden added a rare February 30 to its calendar on 1712 to switch back from its unique calendar to the Julian system.
On February 29, 1712, Sweden inserted an extra day—February 30—into its calendar to abandon the Swedish calendar and return to the Julian system. This unusual adjustment corrected the discrepancy caused by Sweden’s failed gradual shift toward the Gregorian calendar. By adding two leap days in 1712, Swedish authorities realigned with neighboring countries’ dating methods. The choice reflects the challenges of calendar reform and international coordination in the 18th century. This anomaly remains a curious footnote in calendrical history, remembered for its rarity. It highlights the complexities nations faced when altering timekeeping standards.
1712 February 30 Swedish calendar Julian calendar
1720day.year

Ulrika Eleonora, Queen of Sweden abdicates in favour of her husband, who becomes King Frederick I on March 24.

Queen Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden abdicated in favor of her husband, who became King Frederick I.
On February 29, 1720, Queen Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden voluntarily abdicated the throne in favor of her husband, Prince Frederick of Hesse. Her decision followed internal political pressure and the loss of royal authority after the Great Northern War. Frederick was proclaimed king on March 24, 1720, ushering in a new royal house in Sweden. Ulrika Eleonora’s abdication marked a rare instance of a reigning queen stepping down in early modern Europe. The transfer of power shifted the Swedish monarchy’s dynamics and influenced future succession debates. This event underscores the intricate balance between personal choice and political necessity in royal courts.
1720 Ulrika Eleonora, Queen of Sweden Frederick I
1768day.year

Polish nobles form the Bar Confederation.

In 1768, Polish nobles formed the Bar Confederation to oppose Russian influence and defend the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth’s autonomy.
On February 29, 1768, a group of Polish nobles gathered at Bar (now in Ukraine) to establish the Bar Confederation. They sought to resist Russian intervention and safeguard the political liberties guaranteed by the Commonwealth’s constitution. The confederates declared war against Russian forces and their Polish allies in an effort to restore national sovereignty. Although initially gaining support, the uprising was eventually crushed by superior Russian power. The conflict weakened the Commonwealth and accelerated its eventual partitions by neighboring empires. The Bar Confederation remains a symbol of Polish resistance and the struggle for self-determination.
1768 Bar Confederation
1796day.year

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 between the United States and Great Britain went into effect in 1796, establishing a decade of peaceful trade.
On February 29, 1796, the Jay Treaty between the United States and Great Britain officially came into force. Named after American envoy John Jay, the agreement sought to resolve lingering tensions from the Revolutionary War. It facilitated ten years of commerce, prevented war, and addressed issues such as frontier posts and debts. The treaty faced domestic criticism but ultimately helped stabilize U.S.-British relations and secure western expansion. Its implementation reflects the young nation’s diplomatic balancing act between European powers. The Jay Treaty laid groundwork for future American foreign policy and international trade norms.
1796 Jay Treaty
1892day.year

St. Petersburg, Florida is incorporated.

St. Petersburg, Florida was officially incorporated as a city in 1892, laying the foundation for its future growth.
On February 29, 1892, the city of St. Petersburg in Florida was formally incorporated. Named after the founders’ Russian ties and the nearby Saint Petersburg, Russia, the city began its journey as a coastal settlement. The incorporation enabled the establishment of local government, infrastructure development, and public services. Early industries included agriculture, fishing, and tourism attracted by the region’s warm climate. Over the following decades, St. Petersburg grew into a cultural and economic hub on Tampa Bay. This milestone marked the start of the city’s transformation into a thriving Floridian community.
1892 St. Petersburg, Florida
1908day.year

James Madison University is founded at Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States as The State Normal and Industrial School for Women by the Virginia General Assembly.

James Madison University was founded in 1908 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, as a women's normal and industrial school.
On February 29, 1908, the Virginia General Assembly chartered The State Normal and Industrial School for Women, now known as James Madison University. Located in Harrisonburg, the institution aimed to provide higher education and vocational training for women. It began with a small faculty and student body, focusing on teacher education and home economics. Over time, the school expanded its academic offerings and became coeducational in 1977. Today, JMU is recognized for its diverse programs, research contributions, and vibrant campus life. The university’s founding reflects broader trends in women’s access to education during the early 20th century.
1908 James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia Virginia General Assembly
1912day.year

The Piedra Movediza (Moving Stone) of Tandil falls and breaks.

The famous Piedra Movediza in Tandil, Argentina, topples and shatters after centuries perched precariously.
The Piedra Movediza, a massive balancing rock near Tandil, Argentina, collapses and fragments. Renowned for its centuries-long equilibrium on a small pedestal, the stone attracted local legends and tourism. On February 29, 1912, the rock falls, splitting into several pieces and ending its mysterious specter. Despite attempts, the original stone was never restored to its position, only a replica now stands in its place. The event marked the loss of a unique geological anomaly cherished by residents and visitors alike.
1912 Piedra Movediza Tandil
1916day.year

Tokelau is annexed by the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom formally annexes Tokelau, integrating the remote Pacific atolls into British colonial administration.
In 1916, the British Empire expands its Pacific presence by annexing the Tokelau atolls. Previously under New Zealand administration, the three atolls of Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo become official British territory. The annexation aims to strengthen naval logistics and colonial governance during World War I. This move shapes Tokelau's political status for decades, linking its fate to New Zealand and the UK. Today, Tokelau remains a dependent territory with a unique cultural heritage rooted in its colonization history.
1916 Tokelau