Exploring what happened on this day in history December 29 offers a window into the evolution of global society. It is a day that witnessed the tragic martyrdom of Thomas Becket, the annexation of Texas, and the peak of Japan’s economic bubble, reminding us how diverse the threads of our shared history truly are.
Important Events That Happened On December 29 In History
Medieval & Renaissance Power Struggles (1170–1503)
1170 – The Assassination of Thomas Becket: In a shocking act of violence that rocked the medieval world, four knights acting on a perceived command from King Henry II murdered Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, inside his own cathedral. Becket’s death turned him into one of the most famous martyrs and saints in Christendom, drawing pilgrims to Canterbury for centuries.
1503 – The Battle of Garigliano: This pivotal conflict saw a Spanish army, led by the brilliant strategist Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, face off against French forces under Ludovico II. The Spanish victory secured their control over the Kingdom of Naples for generations to come.
Colonial Frontiers and Naval Warfare (1607–1812)
1607 – Pocahontas Saves John Smith: According to the legendary accounts of Captain John Smith, he was on the verge of execution by tribal leaders when Pocahontas, the daughter of the Powhatan leader Wahunsenacawh, stepped in to plead for his life, creating one of early American history’s most debated and enduring stories.
1778 – The British Capture Savannah: During the American Revolutionary War, British forces led by Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell overwhelmed the American defenders under Major General Robert Howe. The capture of the port city of Savannah, Georgia, marked a significant strategic gain for the British in the Southern theater.
1812 – USS Constitution vs. HMS Java: Off the coast of Brazil, the “Old Ironsides”—the USS Constitution—engaged in a fierce three-hour naval battle with the British ship HMS Java. Under the command of Captain William Bainbridge, the American vessel emerged victorious, capturing the HMS Java and bolstering American naval prestige.
19th Century: Treaties, Trousers, and Tragedy (1835–1890)
1835 – The Treaty of New Echota: A small group of Cherokee representatives signed a controversial treaty ceding all tribal lands east of the Mississippi River to the United States. This document, though not recognized by the majority of the Cherokee nation, became the legal pretext for the forced and tragic “Trail of Tears.”
1845 – The Annexation of Texas: The United States officially expanded its borders by annexing the Republic of Texas. This move brought Texas into the Union as the 28th state, though it significantly heightened tensions that would eventually lead to the Mexican-American War.
1852 – Emma Snodgrass and the Trousers Arraignment: In a fascinating moment for women’s rights and social norms, Emma Snodgrass was hauled before a Boston court for the “crime” of wearing trousers. Her defiance highlighted the growing movement for “rational dress” as an alternative to the restrictive skirts of the Victorian era.
1860 – The Launch of HMS Warrior: The face of naval warfare changed forever with the launch of the HMS Warrior. Featuring an iron hull, iron armor, and a screw propeller, she was so technologically advanced that she instantly made all existing wooden warships obsolete.
1862 – The Battle of Chickasaw Bayou: During the American Civil War, Union General William T. Sherman attempted to capture Vicksburg but was repulsed by Confederate troops under General John C. Pemberton. The Union suffered heavy losses, marking a significant setback in their Western campaign.
1874 – The Restoration of the Spanish Monarchy: A military coup led by General Martinez Campos brought an end to the struggling First Spanish Republic. The monarchy was restored as Prince Alfonso was proclaimed King Alfonso XII, stabilizing the nation’s turbulent political landscape.
1876 – The Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster: In one of the worst rail accidents in American history, a bridge over the Ashtabula River in Ohio collapsed as a train passed over it. The disaster resulted in 92 deaths and left 64 others injured, sparking major reforms in bridge design.
1890 – The Wounded Knee Massacre: On the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment opened fire on a camp of Lakota people. Approximately 300 Lakota men, women, and children were killed in what remains one of the darkest and most tragic chapters of American history.
20th Century: Birth of Nations and Global Fire (1911–1940)
1911 – Mongolia Declares Independence: As the Qing dynasty collapsed, Mongolia asserted its sovereignty. The 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu was enthroned as the Khagan, marking the nation’s emergence from centuries of Chinese imperial rule.
1913 – Hollywood’s First Feature Film: Cinema history was made when Cecil B. DeMille began filming The Squaw Man. It was the first feature-length film ever shot in Hollywood, helping to establish the sleepy California town as the world’s movie capital.
1930 – Muhammad Iqbal’s Allahabad Address: Sir Muhammad Iqbal delivered a historic presidential address to the All-India Muslim League. In it, he introduced the “two-nation theory” and outlined a vision for an independent state for Muslims, laying the intellectual foundation for the future creation of Pakistan.
1934 – Japan Renounces Naval Treaties: Signaling a shift toward militarism and expansion, Japan officially renounced the Washington and London Naval Treaties. This move signaled the end of international naval arms control and paved the way for the naval build-up leading to WWII.
1937 – The Adoption of the Irish Constitution: The Irish Free State officially ceased to exist and was replaced by a new sovereign state called Ireland (Éire). This transition was marked by the adoption of a new constitution that redefined the nation’s identity and governance.
1940 – The Second Great Fire of London: During the Blitz, the German Luftwaffe unleashed a massive firebombing raid on London. The resulting inferno was so intense it became known as the Second Great Fire of London, claiming nearly 200 civilian lives.
Modern Eras: Dissidents, Decades, and Disasters (1972–1998)
1972 – The Crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401: A Lockheed L-1011 TriStar crashed into the Florida Everglades while the crew was distracted by a faulty landing gear indicator light. The tragedy killed 101 people and led to massive improvements in aviation safety and crew communication.
1975 – The LaGuardia Airport Bombing: A powerful bomb exploded in a locker at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport. The blast killed 11 people and injured over 75, though the case remained one of the city’s most enduring unsolved mysteries.
1889 – Václav Havel Elected President: In a triumphant moment for the Velvet Revolution, dissident playwright and philosopher Václav Havel was elected the first post-communist President of Czechoslovakia, signaling the end of decades of Soviet-aligned rule.
1989 – The Peak of the Japanese Asset Bubble: The Nikkei 225 index hit its all-time intraday high of 38,957.44. This moment represented the absolute apex of Japan’s economic “bubble” before the market began a long period of stagnation known as the “Lost Decade.”
1992 – The Impeachment of Fernando Collor de Mello: Facing massive corruption charges, the President of Brazil attempted to resign to avoid a trial. However, the Brazilian Senate proceeded with impeachment, leading to his removal from office.
1994 – Turkish Airlines Flight 278 Tragedy: A Boeing 737-400 crashed while attempting to land at Van Ferit Melen Airport in Turkey during a snowstorm. The accident claimed 57 lives out of the 76 people on board.
1996 – Peace Accord in Guatemala: After 36 years of devastating civil war, leaders of the Guatemalan government and the National Revolutionary Unity signed a definitive peace accord, beginning a long journey toward national reconciliation.
1998 – The Khmer Rouge Apologize: Leaders of the notorious Khmer Rouge officially apologized for the Cambodian genocide of the 1970s. While a significant gesture, many felt it was a small consolation for the more than one million lives lost during their regime.
The New Millennium: Tech, Triumphs, and Turbulence (2003–2024)
2003 – The Extinction of the Akkala Sami Language: The death of the last known speaker of Akkala Sami in Russia officially rendered the language extinct, highlighting the global crisis of vanishing indigenous languages and cultures.
2006 – The UK Clears WWII Debts: In a quiet but historic financial milestone, the United Kingdom made its final payment to the United States and Canada to settle the massive loans taken out to fund the war effort during World War II.
2012 – Tupolev Tu-204 Crash in Moscow: A Russian airliner overshot the runway at Vnukovo International Airport, crashing into a ditch near a major highway. Five people were killed in the accident, which was captured by several dashboard cameras on the nearby road.
2013 – Volgograd Railway Station Bombing: A suicide bomber targeted the main railway station in Volgograd, Russia, killing at least 18 people. The attack occurred just weeks before the Sochi Winter Olympics, causing heightened security concerns across the country.
2013 – Michael Schumacher’s Skiing Accident: The world of sports was stunned when seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher suffered a traumatic brain injury while skiing off-piste in the French Alps. He was placed in a medically induced coma, and his health has remained a private matter since.
2020 – The Petrinja Earthquake: A powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck central Croatia, with the town of Petrinja bearing the brunt of the damage. Seven people lost their lives, and the disaster caused widespread destruction across the region.
2023 – South Africa Files Genocide Case: South Africa officially filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip. The move sparked intense international legal and political debate.
2024 – Jeju Air Flight 2216 Tragedy: South Korea experienced its deadliest aviation accident when Jeju Air Flight 2216 crashed into a wall in Muan. Out of the 181 occupants, 179 perished in the catastrophic incident.
Read Here About: December 28 Stories
Famous People Born On December 29
| Name | Role / short description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Rajesh Khanna | Indian actor | December 29, 1942 – July 18, 2012 |
| Klaus Fuchs | German physicist and spy | December 29, 1911 – January 28, 1988 |
| Ronald Coase | British-American economist (Nobel) | December 29, 1910 – September 2, 2013 |
| Charles Goodyear | American inventor (vulcanized rubber) | December 29, 1800 – July 1, 1860 |
| Pablo Casals | Spanish cellist & conductor | December 29, 1876 – October 22, 1973 |
| David Alfaro Siqueiros | Mexican painter & muralist | December 29, 1896 – January 6, 1974 |
| Jess Willard | American boxer (heavyweight champion) | December 29, 1881 – December 15, 1968 |
| William Gaddis | American novelist | December 29, 1922 – December 16, 1998 |
| Robert C. Weaver | U.S. government official (HUD) | December 29, 1907 – July 17, 1997 |
| Dobrica Ćosić | Serbian novelist, essayist & politician | December 29, 1921 – May 18, 2014 |
| Christian Jürgensen Thomsen | Danish archaeologist (Three-age system) | December 29, 1788 – May 21, 1865 |
| Alexander Parkes | British chemist & inventor | December 29, 1813 – June 29, 1890 |
| George Marshall | American film director | December 29, 1891 – February 17, 1975 |
| Joyce C. Hall | American executive (Hallmark Cards founder) | December 29, 1891 – October 29, 1982 |
| Carl F. W. Ludwig | German physiologist | December 29, 1816 – April 23, 1895 |
| Tomás de Zumalacárregui y de Imaz | Spanish military leader | December 29, 1788 – June 24, 1835 |
| Béla Imrédy | Premier of Hungary | December 29, 1891 – February 28, 1946 |
| Henri I de Bourbon, 2e prince de Condé | French prince (Huguenot leader) | December 29, 1552 – March 5, 1588 |
| Thomas G. Corcoran | American lawyer & government official | December 29, 1900 – December 6, 1981 |
| Phil Boggs | American Olympic diver | December 29, 1949 – July 4, 1990 |
| Josef Beran | Archbishop of Prague | December 29, 1888 – May 17, 1969 |
| Giuseppe Motta | Swiss political leader | December 29, 1871 – January 23, 1940 |
| Wilhelm His | Swiss cardiologist (bundle of His) | December 29, 1863 – November 10, 1934 |
| William Cunningham | British economist & clergyman | December 29, 1849 – June 10, 1919 |
| Georg August Schweinfurth | German botanist & explorer | December 29, 1836 – September 19, 1925 |
| Henri-Gaston Busignies | Engineer (radio/navigation) | December 29, 1905 – June 20, 1981 |
| Joaquín Acosta | Colombian scientist & historian | December 29, 1799 (or 1800) – February 21, 1852 |
| Venustiano Carranza | President of Mexico | December 29, 1859 – c. May 20/21, 1920 |
| Branden Jacobs-Jenkins | American playwright | December 29, 1984 – |
Famous People Died On December 29
| Name | Role / short description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Rainer Maria Rilke | Austrian-German poet | December 4, 1875 – December 29, 1926 |
| Christina Rossetti | English poet | December 5, 1830 – December 29, 1894 |
| Joseph Cornell | American sculptor & filmmaker | December 24, 1903 – December 29, 1972 |
| Paul Whiteman | American bandleader (“King of Jazz”) | March 28, 1890 – December 29, 1967 |
| Fletcher Henderson | American bandleader & arranger | December 18, 1897 – December 29, 1952 |
| Brook Taylor | British mathematician | August 18, 1685 – December 29, 1731 |
| Hermann Oberth | German scientist (founder of astronautics) | June 25, 1894 – December 29, 1989 |
| John Marshall Harlan | Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court | May 20, 1899 – December 29, 1971 |
| Wilhelm Maybach | German engineer & manufacturer | February 9, 1846 – December 29, 1929 |
| Leopold Kronecker | German mathematician | December 7, 1823 – December 29, 1891 |
| Hyacinthe Rigaud | French Baroque portrait painter | July 18, 1659 – December 29, 1743 |
| Thomas Sydenham | British physician (clinical medicine pioneer) | 1624 – December 29, 1689 |
| Alasdair Gray | Scottish novelist, playwright & artist | December 28, 1934 – December 29, 2019 |
| Don Marquis | American writer (Archy & Mehitabel) | July 29, 1878 – December 29, 1937 |
| Julius Axelrod | American biochemist (Nobel) | May 30, 1912 – December 29, 2004 |
| Gyorgy Kepes | Hungarian-American artist & educator | October 4, 1906 – December 29, 2001 |
| Jimmy Carter | 39th President of the United States | October 1, 1924 – December 29, 2024 |
| Vivienne Westwood | British fashion designer | April 8, 1941 – December 29, 2022 |
| Pelé | Brazilian footballer (athlete) | October 23, 1940 – December 29, 2022 |
| Harold Macmillan | Prime Minister of the United Kingdom | February 10, 1894 – December 29, 1986 |
| Andrey Tarkovsky | Soviet film director | April 4, 1932 – December 29, 1986 |
| Doris Humphrey | American modern dancer & choreographer | October 17, 1895 – December 29, 1958 |
| Tullio Levi-Civita | Italian mathematician (tensor calculus) | March 29, 1873 – December 29, 1941 |
| Carl Spitteler | Swiss poet (Nobel laureate) | April 24, 1845 – December 29, 1924 |
| John Davis | English navigator (Arctic explorer) | c.1550 – December 29 or 30, 1605 |
| Miroslav Krleža | Croatian author | July 7, 1893 – December 29, 1981 |
| Marc-Antoine Girard, sieur de Saint-Amant | French poet | c. September 30, 1594 – December 29, 1661 |
| H. A. Prichard | British philosopher (intuitionist ethics) | October 30, 1871 – December 29, 1947 |
| Katay Don Sasorith | Prime minister of Laos | July 12, 1904 – December 29, 1959 |
| Charles Tyson Yerkes | American financier (urban transit) | June 25, 1837 – December 29, 1905 |
Observances & Institutional Dates
- Constitution Day (Ireland): Celebrating the adoption of the 1937 Bunreacht na hÉireann.
- Independence Day (Mongolia): Commemorating the nation’s 1911 break from the Qing dynasty.
- The Fifth Day of Christmas: A traditional date within the Western Christian Twelve Days of Christmas.
- The Fourth Day of Kwanzaa: Celebrating Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) in the United States and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Thomas Becket killed?
He was assassinated by followers of King Henry II due to a long-running conflict over the rights and privileges of the Church versus the Crown.
What was the significance of the HMS Warrior?
Launched in 1860, it was the first armor-plated, iron-hulled warship, making all previous wooden ships obsolete overnight.
When did Texas join the United States?
Texas was annexed and admitted as the 28th state on December 29, 1845.
What is Constitution Day in Ireland?
It commemorates the day in 1937 when the current Constitution of Ireland came into effect.
