April 29 in History

Significant events that happened on this day.

Historical Events

2011

An estimated 2 billion people watched Prince William marry Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey

The royal wedding became one of the most-watched television events in history, with the bride's dress designed by Sarah Burton generating worldwide fa...

2004

The last Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line in Lansing, Michigan, ending 107 years of production

Founded in 1897, Oldsmobile was America's oldest surviving automobile brand when General Motors discontinued it. The final car, a dark cherry Alero, w...

1997

The Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force, banning the production and stockpiling of chemical weapons worldwide

Major

This treaty became one of the most successful arms control agreements, eventually gaining 193 member states. It created the Organisation for the Prohi...

1992

The Los Angeles riots began after the acquittal of four police officers in the Rodney King beating case

Major

The verdict sparked six days of civil unrest that resulted in 63 deaths and over $1 billion in property damage. The riots became a pivotal moment in A...

1986

A mysterious fire broke out in the Chernobyl nuclear reactor library during cleanup operations

Just three days after the initial Chernobyl disaster on April 26, firefighters battled another blaze in the plant's library and administrative buildin...

1977

Studio 54, the legendary New York nightclub, opened its doors for the first time

Located in a former opera house and CBS television studio, Studio 54 became the epicenter of disco culture and celebrity excess. Its notoriously selec...

1967

Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War

Major

Ali's refusal led to his immediate arrest, the stripping of his heavyweight title, and a ban from boxing for three years. His famous quote 'I ain't go...

1913

Gideon Sundback patented the modern zipper, originally calling it the 'separable fastener'

After years of improvements to earlier hookless fastener designs, Sundback's invention finally made the zipper practical and reliable. The name 'zippe...

1899

Jazz legend Duke Ellington was born in Washington, D.C.

Edward Kennedy 'Duke' Ellington would become one of the most important figures in jazz history, composing over 1,000 pieces during his 50-year career....

1852

The first edition of Peter Roget's Thesaurus was published in London

At age 73, physician and lexicographer Peter Mark Roget published his comprehensive classification of words, which he had been compiling for decades....

1770

British explorer James Cook first landed at Botany Bay in Australia

Cook and his crew aboard the HMS Endeavour became the first Europeans to reach Australia's east coast, claiming it for Britain. The bay's diverse plan...

1624

Cardinal Richelieu became chief minister of France and effectively began running the country

King Louis XIII appointed Richelieu to lead his council, where he would consolidate royal power and transform France into a centralized absolute monar...

1429

Joan of Arc entered the besieged city of Orléans, beginning her meteoric rise as a French military heroine

Major

The 17-year-old peasant girl, claiming divine guidance, arrived with a relief force and would lift the siege within nine days. Her victory at Orléans...