29th February

0642 - Killed in battle, St Oswald is still the only saint to have died on a Leap Day.

1288 - Scotland establishes this day as one when a woman could propose marriage to a man. If he refused, he was required to pay a fine.

1908 - Dutch scientists produce liquid and solid helium for the first time.

1956 - Muffin the Mule makes his ITV debut after leaving the BBC.

1976 - At the age of 27, surfer Dale Webster vows to continue surfing everyday until the next time February 29th falls on the fifth Sunday of the month. He keeps his pledge, surfing every day for 10,407 days, until 2004.

2000 - As floods engulf southern Mozambique, international aid agencies plead for extra helicopters.