Europa
- 1814: Battle of Brienne (France)
During the War of the Sixth Coalition, France engaged Russia and Prussia in the Battle of Brienne. - 1944: World War II Events
The Polish village of Koniuchy (now Kaniūkai, Lithuania) was attacked by Soviet partisan units, resulting in approximately 38 deaths.
In Bologna, Italy, the Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio was completely destroyed in an air raid. - 1959: First Melodifestivalen (Sweden)
The inaugural Melodifestivalen, Sweden’s national music competition for selecting its Eurovision entry, was held at Cirkus in Stockholm. - 1966: The Luxembourg Compromise (European Integration)
After a political crisis, France agreed to resume participation in Council of Ministers meetings, resolving a deadlock in the European Economic Community. This event, known as the ‘Luxembourg Compromise,’ was a key moment in the history of European integration. - 1596: Burial of Sir Francis Drake (England)
The renowned English seaman and adventurer, Sir Francis Drake, was buried at sea on this date. - 1933: Change of French Government
Édouard Daladier was asked by President LeBrun of France to become the new Prime Minister and form a government. - 1916: Zeppelin Bombardment of Paris (France, WWI)
Paris was bombarded by German Zeppelin airships during World War I.
America
- 1737: Birth of Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine, a major figure in the American Revolution and author of “Common Sense,” was born on this day. - 1820: Death of King George III
King George III of Great Britain, who reigned during the American Revolution and was viewed as a symbol of British rule by the American colonists, died. - 1845: Publication of “The Raven”
Edgar Allan Poe’s iconic poem “The Raven” was first published in the New York Evening Mirror. - 1861: Kansas Becomes a State
Kansas was admitted as the 34th state of the United States, a significant development amid the tensions leading up to the Civil War. - 1863: Bear River Massacre
U.S. Army troops attacked a Shoshone encampment in present-day Idaho, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Shoshone men, women, and children. This tragic event is known as the Bear River Massacre. - 1907: First Native American U.S. Senator
Charles Curtis of Kansas became the first Native American to serve in the United States Senate. - 1929: Founding of The Seeing Eye
The Seeing Eye, the first guide dog school in the U.S. for the visually impaired, was established in Nashville, Tennessee. - 1936: First Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The inaugural class of the Baseball Hall of Fame was revealed, including legends like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb. - 2002: “Axis of Evil” Speech
President George W. Bush, in his State of the Union address, labeled Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as an “axis of evil,” a phrase that shaped U.S. foreign policy in the early 21st century. - 1834: President Andrew Jackson used federal troops to suppress a labor dispute—the first such use in U.S. history.
- 1850: Henry Clay presented the Compromise of 1850 to Congress, a major effort to address sectional tensions over slavery.
- 1863: The Bear River Massacre, one of the deadliest attacks on Native Americans in U.S. history, occurred.
- 1959: Disney’s animated film “Sleeping Beauty” premiered in theaters.
Asia
- 757: Assassination of An Lushan (China)
An Lushan, the leader of a massive rebellion against the Tang dynasty and self-proclaimed emperor of Yan, was murdered by his own son, An Qingxu. - 2001: Political Unrest in Indonesia
Thousands of student protesters stormed the Indonesian parliament, demanding the resignation of President Abdurrahman Wahid over alleged corruption scandals. - 2002: “Axis of Evil” Speech
U.S. President George W. Bush, in his State of the Union address, labeled Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as an “axis of evil,” a phrase that significantly influenced international relations and security discourse in Asia. - 2005: First Direct Mainland China–Taiwan Flights Since 1949
The first direct commercial flights from mainland China (Guangzhou) to Taiwan arrived in Taipei, marking a historic step in cross-strait relations since the end of the Chinese Civil War. - 2006: Cricket Record in India
Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan became the first bowler to take a Test cricket hat-trick in the opening over of a match, a world record achieved against Pakistan. - 2013: SCAT Airlines Crash in Kazakhstan
SCAT Airlines Flight 760 crashed near Almaty, Kazakhstan, resulting in the deaths of 21 people. - 2014: Afrin Canton Declares Autonomy (Syria)
The Afrin Canton in northern Syria declared autonomy from the Syrian Arab Republic, a notable event in the context of the ongoing Rojava conflict.
Africa
- 1960: Earthquake in Morocco
A devastating earthquake struck the city of Agadir, Morocco, flattening the city and killing between 12,000 and 15,000 people, which was about a third of its population at the time. - 1895: Attack on the Royal Niger Company Station (Nigeria)
The Brassmen attacked the Royal Niger Company’s station at Akassa, West Africa, killing and reportedly eating 43 captives. This event highlighted the violent resistance to colonial economic exploitation in the Niger Delta. - 1991: Patent for Contactless Measurement of Sample Temperature
Sharon J. Barnes and her team received a U.S. patent for a process and apparatus for the contactless measurement of sample temperature. This invention is notable in the context of African and African diaspora contributions to science and technology. - Late Apartheid-Era Negotiations (South Africa)
On this date, Nelson Mandela and Mangosuthu Buthelezi agreed to meet to work out a framework for peace as the end of apartheid drew near, marking a significant moment in South Africa’s transition to democracy.
This day in history: 29 january