Discover What Happened Today in History
Stranded in Jamaica, Christopher Columbus used an almanac's prediction of a lunar eclipse on February 29 to convince the indigenous people to continue supplying his crew, claiming his god would show displeasure by making the moon disappear.
At the 12th Academy Awards ceremony, Hattie McDaniel won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'Gone with the Wind,' becoming the first African American to win an Oscar.
The first playoff game in NBA history was held, featuring the Minneapolis Lakers against the Detroit Pistons. This marked the formal beginning of the NBA's postseason tradition.
The first arrest warrants in the Salem witch trials were issued on this day, accusing Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba of witchcraft, which ignited a massive and tragic legal and social crisis.
Baseball legend Hank Aaron signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves worth $200,000 per year, making him the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball history at the time.