Leap Year Records
It only comes round once every four years, but this Friday we celebrate the extra day of February 29th. Here are some rare records that occurred on this special date:
Earliest person to win an Oscar award posthumously
The first posthumous Oscar was awarded at the 1939 Academy Awards on 29 February 1940 to Sidney Howard for his screenplay of Gone With The Wind (USA 1939). He had been killed in a farm accident.
Most authors signing their own book simultaneously - 1 location
A total of 153 authors from PublishAmerica signed their books for the public at the same book signing event in Frederick, Maryland, USA on 29 February 2004.
Most consecutive days surfing
Dale Webster (USA) has gone surfing everyday since 2 September 1975. He passed his 10,407th consecutive day of surfing on 29 February 2004. Webster set himself the condition that 'a surf' consists of catching at least three waves to shore each time.
Most generations born on Leap Day
The only verified example of a family producing three consecutive generations born on 29 February is that of the Keogh's. Peter Anthony (Ireland) (b.1940), his son Peter Eric (UK) (b. 1964) and his grand-daughter Bethany Wealth (UK) (b. 1996) all celebrate their birthdays infrequently every four years.
Most siblings born on Leap Day
The three children of the Henriksen family (Norway), Heidi (1960), Olav (1964) and Lief-Martin (1968) all celebrate their birthdays infrequently, as they fall on Leap Day - 29 February.
25 February 2008