Europa
- Battle of Landen (1693)
During the War of the Grand Alliance, French forces under Marshal Luxembourg defeated the Allied army led by William III in the Netherlands. This was a significant military engagement between France and the Grand Alliance, impacting the balance of power in Europe at the time. - Battle of Gravelines (1588)
English naval forces, commanded by Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake, defeated the Spanish Armada off the coast of Gravelines, France. This battle was crucial in thwarting Spain’s attempt to invade England and marked a turning point in European naval history. - Arc de Triomphe Inaugurated (1836)
The Arc de Triomphe, one of France’s most iconic monuments, was officially inaugurated in Paris. It honors those who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. - Recognition of Albania’s Independence (1913)
Albania was officially recognized as an independent principality by the major European powers, following its declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. This recognition marked Albania’s formal entry into the community of European nations. - Death of Vincent van Gogh (1890)
The renowned Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh died in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, two days after sustaining a gunshot wound. Van Gogh’s work would go on to have a profound influence on modern art. - Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer (1981)
The marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London was a globally televised event, watched by millions and significant in British royal history. - International Atomic Energy Agency Established (1957)
The IAEA, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, was founded to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent its use for military purposes. Its establishment reflected major international cooperation in the postwar era. - Inauguration of the University of Franeker (1585)
The University of Franeker (later known as the University of Friesland) was opened in the Netherlands, becoming an important center for intellectual and academic pursuits in Europe. - Mary, Queen of Scots, Marries Henry Stuart (1565): This royal union in Edinburgh had significant implications for the Scottish and English thrones.
- James VI Crowned King of Scotland (1567): The infant James VI was crowned at Stirling, later becoming James I of England and uniting the crowns.
- Battle of Stiklestad (1030): King Olaf II died attempting to reclaim the Norwegian throne, a pivotal moment in Norwegian history.
- Death of Benito Mussolini (1883, birth): The Italian dictator, a central figure in European 20th-century history, was born on this date.
- 1940: German planes attacked Dover harbour; Germany annexed the Belgian provinces of Eupen, Malmédy, and Moresnet, banning French and Flemish languages.
- 1944: RAF bombing raids on Stuttgart killed 900 and left 100,000 homeless; the Red Army reached the Baltic coast, cutting off German Army Group North in the Baltics.
America
- Establishment of NASA (1958)
On July 29, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, officially creating NASA. This marked a pivotal moment in the U.S. space program, coming in response to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 1 and initiating America’s race to the Moon. - USS Forrestal Fire (1967)
A tragic accident occurred aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal in the Gulf of Tonkin. An accidental rocket launch caused a massive fire and explosions, resulting in the deaths of 134 sailors. This remains one of the worst naval disasters in U.S. history. - U.S. Congress Apologizes for Slavery (2008)
The U.S. House of Representatives issued a formal apology for the institution of slavery and the subsequent Jim Crow laws that discriminated against African Americans, acknowledging the injustices and enduring impact of these policies. - Slocum Massacre Begins (1910)
The Slocum massacre, a racially motivated attack in Texas, began on July 29, 1910. Over two days, more than 100 African Americans were murdered, making it one of the deadliest race riots in American history. - First Ascent of Grand Teton (1872)
Nathaniel P. Langford and James Stevenson made the first recorded ascent of Grand Teton, the highest peak in Wyoming’s Teton Range, marking an important achievement in American mountaineering. - Harris Treaty Signed (1858)
Townsend Harris, the first U.S. Consul General to Japan, persuaded Japanese officials to sign the Harris Treaty. This agreement secured commercial and diplomatic privileges for the United States in Japan, significantly impacting U.S.-Asia relations. - 1775: General George Washington appointed William Tudor as Judge Advocate of the Continental Army, founding the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
- 1920: The first transcontinental airmail flight from New York City to San Francisco took place, advancing U.S. aviation.
- 1932: During the Great Depression, U.S. troops forcibly dispersed the “Bonus Army” of World War I veterans in Washington, D.C., using tanks and tear gas.
Asia
- Tongzhou Mutiny in China (1937)
On July 29, 1937, the Tongzhou mutiny occurred in Tongzhou, China. The East Hebei Army, which was nominally under Japanese control, turned against Japanese troops and civilians. This violent uprising was a significant episode in the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War and highlighted the volatility of Japanese occupation in northern China. - Destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem (587 BC)
On this date, the Neo-Babylonian Empire sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the First Temple, a pivotal event in Jewish and Middle Eastern history. - Harris Treaty Signed with Japan (1858)
The Treaty of Amity and Commerce (Harris Treaty) was signed between the United States and Japan on July 29, 1858. This agreement, negotiated by Townsend Harris, opened Japanese ports to American trade and granted commercial and diplomatic privileges to the U.S., marking a turning point in Japan’s international relations and paving the way for the end of its isolationist policies. - Indo-Sri Lanka Accord (1987)
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayewardene signed the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord on July 29, 1987. This agreement aimed to resolve ethnic tensions and civil conflict in Sri Lanka by granting limited autonomy to Tamil regions and deploying Indian peacekeeping forces. - Adoption of Iran’s New Flag (1980)
After the Islamic Revolution, Iran adopted a new national flag on July 29, 1980, symbolizing the country’s new ideological and political direction. - Tangshan Earthquake in China (1976)
Although not always listed in every summary, the Tangshan earthquake struck northeastern China on July 28, 1976, with aftershocks and devastation continuing into July 29. It remains one of the deadliest earthquakes in history, with official death tolls exceeding 240,000.
Africa
- Independence Day in Seychelles (1976)
July 29 marks Independence Day in Seychelles, commemorating the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1976. This is a national holiday and a significant milestone in the island nation’s history. - 1966 Counter-Coup: On July 29, 1966, a counter-coup led by Northern officers resulted in the assassination of Nigeria’s Head of State, Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, and the military governor of the Western Region, Lt. Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi. This event shifted the balance of power and led to the rise of General Yakubu Gowon as Head of State, eventually setting the stage for the Nigerian Civil War.
- 1975 Bloodless Coup: On July 29, 1975, while attending an Organization of African Unity (OAU) summit in Uganda, General Yakubu Gowon was overthrown in a bloodless coup. Brigadier Murtala Muhammed was installed as the new leader, marking another significant transition in Nigeria’s political landscape.
- Death of Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi (1945)
On July 29, 1945, Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi, a renowned Xhosa poet and a significant figure in South African literature, passed away near King William’s Town. His works contributed greatly to the preservation and celebration of Xhosa culture and language. - Other Notable African-Related Events
George Dixon’s Birth (1870): Though born in Africville, Nova Scotia, George Dixon—who became the first Black world boxing champion—was of African descent and is celebrated in Black history on this day.
This day in history: 29 july