February 29: TODAY in Irish History (by IrishmanSpeaks) 
Leap Year: The tradition of women asking men to marry them on Leap Year day February 29th allegedly was established by St. Brigid of Kildare who died circa 525.
St. Brigid - Womens' Rights Advocate?
1840: Suggested birth date of submarine inventor John Philip Holland, although most histories claim February 24.
Submarine Inventor John P Holland
1960: Irish-born Titanic survivor Mrs William Coutts dies aged 84. Encyclopedia-Titanic.org quotes her comments following the disaster:
“I rushed out on deck with the children following me. Just when I had given up hope of finding my way a seaman came along and said ‘Hurry now; all women and children to the lifeboats.’
He took us to the side of the ship but I wanted a life preserver. Just then an American gentleman who had heard me asking for a life preserver stepped up to me. He raised his hat, and then slowly removed the life preserver he had strapped to himself.
‘Take my life preserver, madam,’” he said. Then he reached over and put his hand on the children’s heads. ‘If I go down, please pray for me,’ he said.
There were other brave men on board the Titanic, for I saw them helping women into the lifeboats as our boat pulled away. After kissing those they helped into the boats the men stepped back and did everything they could to load the boats quickly.
I was in the first boat that was picked up by the Carpathia. There were seventeen in our boat. It was frightfully cold, but neither I nor the children suffered as much as the others, because we were fully dressed.”
2008: The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern T.D., announces that the Irish Government has recognised the independence of the Republic of Kosovo.
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For the Love of Being Irish written by Chicago based Corkman Conor Cunneen and illustrated by Mark Anderson which is an A-Z of all things Irish. This is a book that contains History, Horror, Humor, Passion, Pathos and Lyrical Limericks that will have you giving thanks (or wishing you were) For the Love of Being Irish
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This history is written by Irish author, business keynote speaker and award winning humoristIrishmanSpeaks – Conor Cunneen. If you spot any inaccuracies or wish to make a comment, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the comment button.
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Today In Irish History 