On This Day in History – August 29

August 29 has been a date of groundbreaking scientific discoveries, historic military events, and the rise of cultural icons. From space launches to powerful speeches, this day reflects a wide range of human achievement and remembrance.

Major Events

• 708 – Copper coins are minted for the first time in Japan.
• 1526 – The Battle of Mohács takes place; the Ottoman Empire defeats the Kingdom of Hungary, marking the end of Hungarian independence.
• 1756 – Frederick the Great attacks Saxony, launching the Seven Years’ War.
• 1842 – The Treaty of Nanking is signed, ending the First Opium War and ceding Hong Kong to Britain.
• 1949 – The Soviet Union tests its first atomic bomb, codenamed “First Lightning.”
• 1958 – The U.S. Air Force Academy opens its permanent location in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• 1966 – The Beatles perform their final paid concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
• 2005 – Hurricane Katrina strikes the Gulf Coast of the U.S., causing devastating damage in New Orleans and surrounding areas.
• 2012 – The Tokyo Skytree is officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest tower in the world.
• 2021 – U.S. forces continue their final withdrawal from Afghanistan under tight security.

Famous Birthdays

• 1632 – John Locke, English philosopher and political theorist (d. 1704)
• 1809 – Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., American physician and poet (d. 1894)
• 1898 – Preston Sturges, American screenwriter and director (d. 1959)
• 1915 – Ingrid Bergman, Swedish actress (d. 1982)
• 1915 – Charlie Parker, American jazz saxophonist (d. 1955)
• 1936 – John McCain, American politician and war hero (d. 2018)
• 1958 – Michael Jackson, American singer, “King of Pop” (d. 2009)
• 1960 – Elizabeth Fraser, Scottish singer (Cocteau Twins)
• 1980 – Carla Gugino, American actress
• 1991 – Liam Payne, English singer (One Direction)

Notable Deaths

• 1877 – Brigham Young, American religious leader and founder of Salt Lake City (b. 1801)
• 1891 – Pierre Lallement, inventor of the bicycle (b. 1843)
• 1982 – Ingrid Bergman, Swedish actress (b. 1915)
• 1987 – Lee Marvin, American actor (b. 1924)
• 2009 – Ted Kennedy, American senator and political figure (b. 1932)
• 2016 – Gene Wilder, American actor and writer (b. 1933)
• 2020 – Chadwick Boseman, American actor known for “Black Panther” (b. 1976)
• 2022 – Mikhail Gorbachev, last leader of the Soviet Union (b. 1931)

Holidays

• Slovakia – Slovak National Uprising Day (public holiday)
• India – National Sports Day (celebrating Major Dhyan Chand’s birthday)
• Christianity – Feast Day of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
• United States – International Day Against Nuclear Tests (UN observance)

Fun Facts

• The Beatles’ final concert in 1966 marked the end of an era for live performances by the band.
• Michael Jackson, born on this day, remains one of the most influential pop artists in music history.
• The Soviet Union’s first atomic bomb test in 1949 officially began the nuclear arms race during the Cold War.
• Hurricane Katrina is remembered as one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
• Charlie Parker, born on this day, revolutionized jazz with his fast, complex bebop style.