7 Events That Happened on 29th February or Leap Day
1. 1692 - The first warrants are issued in the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts, marking the beginning of the infamous witch hunt that resulted in the execution of numerous individuals accused of witchcraft.
2. 1940 - Hattie McDaniel becomes the first African American to win an Academy Award, receiving the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in the film "Gone with the Wind."
3. 1960 - An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale strikes Agadir, Morocco, resulting in widespread destruction and the deaths of thousands of people.
4. 1988 - South African anti-apartheid activist and future president Nelson Mandela is freed after spending 27 years in prison, where he was incarcerated for his role in opposing the apartheid regime.
5. 2012 - Davy Jones, lead singer of the popular 1960s band The Monkees, passes away at the age of 66 from a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy of hit songs and cultural impact.
6. 2016 - Leonardo DiCaprio wins his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film "The Revenant" after being nominated multiple times throughout his career.
7. 2020 - The first known death from COVID-19 in the United States is reported in Washington state, marking the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the country.
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