February 29

Events - Other

1504day.year

Christopher Columbus uses his knowledge of a lunar eclipse that night to convince Jamaican natives to provide him with supplies.

In 1504, Christopher Columbus used his knowledge of a lunar eclipse to pressure Jamaican natives into supplying his stranded crew.
On February 29, 1504, while stranded on Jamaica, Christopher Columbus leveraged his forecast of a lunar eclipse to command local attention. He warned native leaders that their gods would darken the moon if they failed to continue provisions for his crew. As the eclipse unfolded, fear gripped the islanders, compelling them to honor their promise of food and water. This clever display of astronomical knowledge highlights Columbus’s navigational expertise. The incident exemplifies the interplay of science, belief, and power during the Age of Exploration. It remains one of the most famous examples of using celestial events for political leverage.
1504 Christopher Columbus a lunar eclipse that night
1644day.year

Abel Tasman's second Pacific voyage begins as he leaves Batavia in command of three ships.

In 1644, Abel Tasman embarked on his second Pacific voyage from Batavia, commanding three ships in search of new lands.
On February 29, 1644, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman set sail from Batavia (present-day Jakarta) on his second Pacific expedition. He commanded three ships tasked with expanding the Dutch East India Company’s maritime routes. Tasman had previously discovered Tasmania and New Zealand, and this voyage aimed to map uncharted territories. The expedition navigated through the Pacific in hopes of finding rich trading opportunities. Although this voyage yielded fewer major discoveries, it strengthened Dutch presence in the region. Tasman’s voyages significantly contributed to European geographic knowledge and colonial expansion.
1644 Abel Tasman Batavia