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History Quiz: Leap Day Events: 10 Questions | Famous Dates

"Leap Day" is a common term for February 29, a date that doesn't come around just every year! The events in this quiz all occurred on February 29.

A multiple-choice quiz by austinnene. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
austinnene

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
278,346

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
683

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. On February 29, 1692, what chilling event occurred in a New England town? Hint

The first warrants were issued in the Salem witch hunts.

Native Americans were poisoned by white settlers who wanted the land.

The first clash between British soldiers and settlers took place.

A settler's diary for that date recounts what appears to be a UFO sighting.

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of these events occurred in Scotland on February 29, 1528? Hint

King James V was married in London.

A young Scottish priest, Patrick Hamilton, was burned at the stake as a heretic.

The Diet of Augsburg held its first session.

Halley's Comet was first observed by astronomers.

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Twelfth Academy Award presentations were held on February 29, 1940. "Gone with the Wind" won Best Picture. Who hosted the awards ceremony (it was his first time)? Hint

Jack Paar

Milton Berle

George Burns

Bob Hope

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Question 4 of 10

4. On February 29, 1792, Gioachino Antonio Rossini was born. What was his claim to fame? Hint

He wrote scientific texts.

He was a sculptor.

He painted in oils.

He was a composer.

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which blonde American celebrity was born February 29, 1916? Hint

Jean Harlow

Dinah Shore

Mae West

Betty Grable

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Question 6 of 10

6. What event ALMOST happened--but did NOT--in American sports on February 29, 1992? Hint

Evel Knievel jumped between the two World Trade Center Towers.

The Professional Spring Football League played its opener.

Mario Andretti announced his retirement from racing.

Baseball changed its rules to include mandatory testing for steroid use.

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Question 7 of 10

7. A massacre occurred in the New World on February 29, 1704. Where? Hint

Roanoke, Virginia

Near St. Augustine, Florida

On the island of Manhattan

Deerfield, Massachusetts

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who announced his candidacy for the U.S. Presidency on February 29, 1956? Hint

Harry S Truman

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dag Hammarskold

General Douglas MacArthur

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these men, all of whom made early contributions to the development of the computer, was born on February 29th? Hint

Alan Turing

Herman Hollerith

Charles Babbage

Blaise Pascal

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Question 10 of 10

10. Va-va-va-voom and hubba-hubba! What event took place that presumably lifted men's, um, hearts on February 29, 1960? Hint

The first Playboy Club opened.

Sophia Loren announced she would pose nude for a Playboy centerfold.

The first issue of Hustler hit the news stands.

The first movie to feature a woman displaying full frontal nudity was released.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. On February 29, 1692, what chilling event occurred in a New England town?

Answer: The first warrants were issued in the Salem witch hunts.

Several girls, among them a slave girl named Tituba, were accused of the "bewitchment" of Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Parris, the niece and daughter of a Salem minister. The arrest warrants were executed on February 29, 1692.

2. Which of these events occurred in Scotland on February 29, 1528?

Answer: A young Scottish priest, Patrick Hamilton, was burned at the stake as a heretic.

Patrick Hamilton was a young Protestant priest who had been influenced on the Continent by Martin Luther. He returned to Scotland and began propounding Luther's ideas. This resulted in his being charged with heresy and burned at the stake, making him one of the earliest Protestant martyrs.

3. The Twelfth Academy Award presentations were held on February 29, 1940. "Gone with the Wind" won Best Picture. Who hosted the awards ceremony (it was his first time)?

Answer: Bob Hope

Bob Hope hosted the event, which was held at the Coconut Grove in the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles. It was filled with stars who today are legends: Judy Garland performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", which was nominated for Best Song; Hattie McDaniel became the first black actress to be nominated for an Oscar; Spencer Tracy presented the awards for both Best Actor and Best Actress. Doesn't it just kill you that this took place before TV?

4. On February 29, 1792, Gioachino Antonio Rossini was born. What was his claim to fame?

Answer: He was a composer.

Rossini is known for composing comic operas, including "The Barber of Seville" and "Guillaume Tell (William Tell)". The latter is known best for its overture, which became the theme song of "The Lone Ranger" TV series in the 20th century. Rossini also composed sacred music and chamber music.

5. Which blonde American celebrity was born February 29, 1916?

Answer: Dinah Shore

Shore achieved celebrity status as a singer in the mid-20th century. Later in her life she had a successful TV talk show. She was romantically linked for a number of years with actor Burt Reynolds, who was some 20 years younger than she.

6. What event ALMOST happened--but did NOT--in American sports on February 29, 1992?

Answer: The Professional Spring Football League played its opener.

The league was formed, its teams determined and schedule set up, including a championship bowl to take place in July 1992--the Red, White and Blue Bowl. The first game, scheduled for February 29 between Utah and Tampa Bay, never took place. The league dissolved ten days earlier, on February 19, reportedly due to lack of money.

7. A massacre occurred in the New World on February 29, 1704. Where?

Answer: Deerfield, Massachusetts

The French allied with native American tribes, primarily Mohawks, to attack the Deerfield settlement, killing 22 men, 9 women, and 25 children. This was only one episode in a series of conflicts between France and England to control the North American continent before, of course, the American Revolution took place.

8. Who announced his candidacy for the U.S. Presidency on February 29, 1956?

Answer: Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Ike" announced he would seek a second term on February 29. He ran, and he won.

9. Which of these men, all of whom made early contributions to the development of the computer, was born on February 29th?

Answer: Herman Hollerith

Hollerith was born February 29, 1860. He invented a machine that read punch cards to sort data automatically, which the U.S. Government used for tabulating census figures in 1890, reportedly saving about $5 million over having employees do it.

10. Va-va-va-voom and hubba-hubba! What event took place that presumably lifted men's, um, hearts on February 29, 1960?

Answer: The first Playboy Club opened.

The first of many Playboy clubs opened in Chicago. Boy, those were the days, weren't they? Newsweek called the club "Disneyland for adults." Women called it something a little different...

Source: Author austinnene

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