1. The first leap year in Arkansas was recognized in 1828, and February 29 became an officially recognized date in the state.

2. The first recorded birth on February 29 in Arkansas was in 1912, when a baby boy was born in Pulaski County. He was given the name Aaron.

3. In 1936, a group of five students were expelled from Harding College (now Harding University) for celebrating Leap Year Day. They decided to start their own school, which eventually became Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

4. On February 29, 1940, Arkansas became the first state in the South to enact a state sales tax. The tax was set at 2%.

5. In 1966, Leap Year Day was a cold and snowy one in Arkansas. A blizzard swept across the state, dumping up to 16 inches of snow in some areas and causing widespread power outages. Many schools and businesses were closed for days.