Today in History: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” won a record-tying 11 Oscar awards

The following are some of the major events to have occurred on February 29:

1922 – Britain formally declared Egypt’s independence, but retained control of the Suez Canal and the country’s defence.

1994 – South Korean, 73, breaks record with 612 chin-ups

1996 – British luxury ship Sajafjord under tow in South China Sea after losing power.

1996 – In the worst accident in Peru’s history, a Faucett airline Boeing 737 crashed in the Andes killing all 117 passengers and six crew. The plane, on a flight from Lima, crashed at the city of Arequipa, 625 miles south of Lima.

2004 – Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide resigns.

2004 – “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” won a record-tying 11 Oscar awards, including best film.

2011 – Protesters, police clash in front of Interior Ministry in Cairo.

2012 – Russia’s Yelena Isinbayeva breaks indoor pole vault world record.

2012 – Lady Gaga launches Born This Way Foundation at Harvard University.

2012 – Construction on Tokyo Sky Tree building is completed.

2012 – Vatican opens secret archives.

(Reuters)