This day in history: 29 march

1461: The Battle of Towton, the largest and bloodiest battle of the Wars of the Roses, took place. Edward IV defeated Queen Margaret’s Lancastrian forces, securing his claim to the English throne.
1792: King Gustav III of Sweden died after being shot at a masquerade ball in Stockholm. His assassination marked a turning point in Swedish history, leading to political reforms.
1867: The British North America Act was passed, creating the Dominion of Canada. This act united Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Canada (later divided into Quebec and Ontario) as a self-governing entity within the British Empire.
1939: In Spain, Nationalist forces captured Cuenca, Ciudad Real, Jaén, and Albacete during the Spanish Civil War. Additionally, Neville Chamberlain’s government announced plans to double the size of the British Territorial Army in response to growing tensions in Europe.
1942: The RAF Bomber Command achieved its first major success against Germany with the bombing of Lübeck during World War II.
1947: The Malagasy Uprising began in Madagascar against French colonial rule.
2004: Ireland became the first country to ban smoking in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants. This legislation set a precedent for similar laws worldwide.

1638: Swedish Lutherans established the first permanent European settlement in Delaware, marking a key moment in early American colonization.
1847: U.S. forces completed the capture of Veracruz, Mexico, during the Mexican-American War, a significant victory for the United States.
1861: President Abraham Lincoln ordered plans for a relief expedition to Fort Sumter, setting the stage for the Civil War.
1951: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
1973: The last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam, officially ending direct American military involvement in the Vietnam War. This date is now commemorated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
1999: The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 10,000 points for the first time, reflecting the height of the dot-com bubble.

845: Viking raiders, led by Ragnar Lodbrok, sacked Paris during the Siege of Paris. Though this event occurred in Europe, it had indirect implications for trade routes and interactions with Asia.
1857: Mangal Pandey, a soldier in the Bengal Native Infantry, initiated a mutiny against the East India Company. This act is considered a precursor to the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
1911: Japan passed its first labor law, marking an important step in the modernization of labor practices in the country.
1974: The Terracotta Army was discovered in Xi’an, China. This archaeological find revealed thousands of life-sized sculptures depicting Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s army.

1947: The Malagasy Uprising began in Madagascar. This was a major rebellion against French colonial rule, leading to significant loss of life and eventual independence movements.
1898: William J. Ballow, an African-American inventor, was awarded a patent for his creation of the combined hat rack and table, showcasing African contributions to innovation.
Boganda Day: March 29 is celebrated as Boganda Day in the Central African Republic, commemorating the death of Barthélemy Boganda, a key figure in the country’s independence movement.