"Leap Day"

Happy Leap Day! Today -- February 29 -- exists because 2008 is a leap year. And such a year only occurs every four years in order to keep the 12-month calendar synchronised with the length of the astronomical year (aka, the Earth's orbit around the sun).

So, that said, here are a few fun things that happened on February 29:

• 1892 - St. Petersburg, Florida is incorporated.
  
• 1940 - For her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind, Hattie McDaniel becomes the first African American to win an Academy Award.
  
• 1956 - Dwight D. Eisenhower announces to the nation that he is running for a second term as President of the United States.
  
• 1972 - Outfielder, Hank Aaron becomes the first player in the history of Major League Baseball to sign a $200,000 contract.
  

Have a safe and happy celebration everyone! Me, I think I'm going to go celebrate my 8th leap year by doing some spring cleaning! ... Take care all, and until next time...

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 8:49 AM  I   I  0 comments