What Happened on February 29, 1940

Historical Events

12th Academy Awards: "Gone with the Wind" wins eight Oscars, Robert Donat & Vivien Leigh also win

American golfer Jimmy Demaret wins his third PGA Tour event within an 8-day span, taking the St. Petersburg Open by 1 stroke from Byron Nelson

Detroit's Cecil "Tiny" Thompson becomes first goaltender in NHL history to play 40 (or more) games for 12 straight seasons; milestone comes in a 3-1 Red Wings loss at Toronto
Finland initiates Winter War peace negotiations
Frederic from G & S "Pirates of Penzance" finally released by pirate

Hattie McDaniel becomes 1st African American woman to win an Oscar for "Gone with the Wind"

Billy Turner Jr., American Thoroughbred flat racing trainer (US Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing 1977, Seattle Slew), born in Rochester, New York
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople (1991- ), born in Zeytinliköy, Imbros, Turkey
Gretchen Christopher, American singer (The Fleetwoods), born in Olympia, Washington

Day of the Week: Thursday
How Long Ago? 81 years, 6 months and 26 days
Leap Year: Yes

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Dragon
Star Sign: Pisces