Christopher Columbus uses a lunar eclipse to secure provisions during his stranded stay in Jamaica.
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On This Day in History: February 29
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on February 29th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives back in Spain after his final voyage to the New World.
Salem witch trials: Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba are accused of witchcraft in Salem Village, Massachusetts.
The National Assembly elected by Czech and Slovak leaders adopts a new democratic constitution democratic, taking another step toward the consolidation of the two states into Czechoslovakia.
The first constitution of Czechoslovakia after World War I was adopted on February 29, 1920. It established a unified, centrist democratic government and a single "Czechoslovak nation" . creating tensions as the larger Czech population was perceived as dominating the government.
In 1989, the peaceful "Velvet Revolution" ended the country's communist regime and re-established a multiparty democracy. However, instead of unifying the nation, the disagreements between the Czech and Slovak leaders intensified. Following the 1992 elections, the leaders of the Czech and Slovak parliaments negotiated an end to the federation. The Federal Assembly officially voted to dissolve the country in November 1992 and a peaceful split became effective on January 1, 1993, with Czechoslovakia being replaced by two independent sovereign states: the Czech Republic and Slovakia.