This day in history: 29 september

Europa

• Munich Agreement (1938)
  On the night of September 29–30, 1938, the leaders of Nazi Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy reached the Munich Agreement in Munich, Germany. This pact allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant ethnic German population. The agreement, reached without Czechoslovakia’s participation, is widely regarded as a symbol of the policy of appeasement toward Adolf Hitler and is known in Czech and Slovak histories as the “Munich Betrayal.” The deal was signed in the early hours of September 30, but the decisive negotiations and agreement took place on September 29.
• World War II Events (1939)
  On September 29, 1939, during the early weeks of World War II, the Battle of Modlin ended with the capitulation of the Modlin Fortress to German forces in Poland. This marked another significant defeat for Poland during the German invasion. On the same day, the Battles of Parczew, Jabłoń, and Milanów also occurred. These events were part of the broader German and Soviet invasions of Poland, which led to the country’s occupation and the start of World War II in Europe.

America

• Establishment of the U.S. Army (1789)
  On September 29, 1789, the United States Congress passed an act officially establishing the United States Army under the new Constitution. This act provided a legal basis for the continuation and organization of a standing army, transitioning from the forces raised under the Articles of Confederation to those authorized by the Constitution.
• Willie Mays’ Iconic Catch (1954)
  On September 29, 1954, baseball legend Willie Mays made his famous over-the-shoulder catch in Game 1 of the World Series, playing for the New York Giants against the Cleveland Indians. This play, often referred to as “The Catch,” is considered one of the greatest defensive moments in baseball history.
• First Live Coast-to-Coast Televised Sporting Event (1951)
  On this day in 1951, the first live coast-to-coast televised sporting event in the United States was broadcast: a college football game between Duke University and the University of Pittsburgh.
• In 1907, construction began on the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C..
• In 1975, WGPR became the first Black-owned and operated television station in the United States.
• In 1988, NASA launched STS-26, the first Space Shuttle mission since the Challenger disaster, marking a return to flight for the shuttle program.

Asia

• Japan Establishes Diplomatic Relations with the People’s Republic of China (1972)
  On September 29, 1972, Japan formally established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, ending official ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan). This was a pivotal moment in East Asian diplomacy, reshaping regional alliances and economic relations.
• Kyshtym Disaster in the Soviet Union (1957)
  The Kyshtym disaster, the third-worst nuclear accident in history, occurred on September 29, 1957, at the Mayak Production Association in the Soviet Union (now Russia). The incident led to widespread radioactive contamination, affecting thousands and highlighting the dangers of nuclear energy.
• Oman Joins the Arab League (1971)
  Oman became a member of the Arab League on September 29, 1971, marking its integration into the regional political landscape and cooperation among Arab states.
• Significant Events in South Asia
  On September 29, 2016, the Indian Army conducted “surgical strikes” across the Line of Control in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, targeting militant launch pads in response to the Uri attack. This operation was a major development in India-Pakistan relations and regional security.
• Kazakh Diaspora Gathering (1992)
  The First World Qurultay (Meeting) of Kazakhs was held on September 29, 1992, bringing together over 600 delegates from 30 countries to discuss issues facing the Kazakh diaspora.
• In 1981, an Iranian Air Force C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft crashed near Kahrizak, Iran, killing 80 people.
• On September 29, 2021, Mohibullah, a prominent Rohingya leader and advocate, was assassinated in a refugee camp in southern Bangladesh, drawing international attention to the plight of the Rohingya.

Africa

• 1969 Tulbagh Earthquake in South Africa
  On September 29, 1969, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck the towns of Tulbagh, Ceres, and Wolseley in the Western Cape, South Africa. The disaster killed 11 people and left around 1,000 homeless, making it one of the most significant seismic events in South African history.