This Date in History - February 29

Well, this date only happens once every four years.  That means, Dinah Shore, you are a leap year baby.  Air kiss to you!

1504:  CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS USES HIS KNOWLEDGE OF A LUNAR ECLIPSE THAT NIGHT TO CONVINCE NATIVE AMERICANS TO PROVIDE HIM WITH SUPPLIES.

Who knew that Columbus was an eclipse-o-phile?

1704:  DURING QUEEN ANNE'S WAR, FRENCH FORCES AND NATIVE AMERICANS STAGE A RAID ON DEERFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, KILLING 56 VILLAGES AND TAKING MORE THAN 100 CAPTIVE.

This time, there was no lunar eclipse to keep those Indians distracted.

1712:  FEBRUARY 29 IS FOLLOWED BY FEBRUARY 30 IN SWEDEN, A MOVE TO ABOLISH THE SWEDISH CALENDAR FOR A RETURN TO THE OLD STYLE.

As if this leap year shit isn't confusing enough.

1720:  QUEEN ULRIKA ELEONORA OF SWEDEN ABDICATES IN FAVOR OF HER HUSBAND, WHO BECOMES KING FREDERICK I.

This is Sweden.  She couldn't wait till February 30??

1796:  THE JAY TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN COMES INTO FORCE, FACILITATING TEN YEARS OF PEACEFUL TRADE BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS.

So, all those tea leaves in Boston didn't go to waste after all.

1836:  AMERICAN BASEBALL PLAYER AND MANAGER DICKEY PEARCE IS BORN.

All together now......WHO????

1892:  ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA IS INCORPORATED.

Thank God.  Now the Mets will have someplace to play spring training games in 1962.

1892:  BASEBALL PLAYER ED APPLETON IS BORN.

Again.  One, two, three......WHO????

1904:  BANDLEADER JIMMY DORSEY IS BORN.

Mom always liked Tommy best.

1904:  BASEBALL PLAYER PEPPER MARTIN IS BORN.

Okay, I've heard of him.

1908:  GUNSLINGER PAT GARRETT DIES.

Killed actually as countless movies will depict.

1916:  SINGER DINAH SHORE IS BORN.

My grandmother always said she had a Black baby.  Okay, Grandma, you stand corrected.  The real rumor is that one of Dinah's parents are Black.  Done.

1916:  IN SOUTH CAROLINA, THE MINIMUM WORKING AGE FOR FACTORY, MILL, AND MINE WORKERS IS RAISED FROM TWELVE TO FOURTEEN YEARS OLD.

Kathie Lee Gifford, please note.

1932:  TIME MAGAZINE FEATURES ECCENTRIC AMERICAN POLITICIAN WILLIAM "ALFALFA" MURRAY ON ITS COVER AFTER MURRAY ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

On the ticket for Vice President?  Buckwheat.

1936:  BABY SNOOKS PLAYED BY FANNY BRICE DEBUTS ON THE RADIO PROGRAM "THE ZIEGFELD FOLLIES OF THE AIR."

I've heard recordings.  Gee, people had low thresholds for humor back when.

1940:  FOR HER ROLE AS MAMMY IN "GONE WITH THE WIND,"  HATTIE MCDANIEL BECOMES THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO WIN AN ACADEMY AWARD.

And makes the long walk from the ballroom kitchen to come and get it.

1940:  FINLAND INITIATES WINTER WAR PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

Since when do we worry about them?

1944:  DURING WORLD WAR II, THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS ARE INVADED IN OPERATION BREWER LED BY GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR.

The first time he returned.  There would be others.

1956:  PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER ANNOUNCES TO THE NATION THAT HE IS RUNNING FOR A SECOND TERM.

And promptly took a nap to rest.

1960:  THE COMIC STRIP "FAMILY CIRCUS" MAKES ITS DEBUT.

Not me.  Not me.  Not me.  Not me.  If you don't get that joke, you obviously have never read "Family Circus."

1972:  HANK AARON BECOMES THE FIRST PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TO SIGN A $200,000 CONTRACT.

Beating the $3.95 contract once signed by Ed Appleton.

1980:  HOCKEY PLAYER GORDIE HOWE MAKES NHL HISTORY BY SCORING HIS 800TH GOAL.

Howe?  Easy.

1984:  CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER PIERRE TRUDEAU ANNOUNCES HE WILL RETIRE AS SOON AS THE LIBERALS CAN ELECT ANOTHER LEADER.

Au revoir.

1988:  SVEND ROBINSON BECOMES THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE CANADIAN HOUSE OF COMMONS TO COME OUT AS GAY.

Tres....

1992:  CAR REPAINTER EARL SCHEIB DIES.

All those fumes....

Dinner last night:  Soup and sandwich.