Fact 1: The Day of Vibrating Strings
Many will be surprised to know that January 29 is celebrated as National Puzzle Day. The day celebrates the exercise of the mind to solve intricate puzzle pieces from jigsaws to word play, and everything in between.
Fact 2: Kansas Day Enthusiasm
January 29 is also known as Kansas Day. The day honors the state's admission to the Union in 1861, a notable historical event. On this day, Kansans exhibit their state pride and engage in various cultural and educational activities.
Fact 3: Opening Up the World of Communication
The first commercial phone exchange was opened on January 29, 1878 in New Haven, Connecticut. The District Telephone Company allowed 21 customers to make and receive calls through their switchboard.
Fact 4: Estranged Royal Steps Down
King Edward VIII of England, famously known for his decision to step down from the throne, was born on January 29, 1892. His decision to abdicate was to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American socialite, scandalizing the British monarchy.
Fact 5: A Day Dedicated to Curries
January 29 is also known as National Corn Chip Day. Corn chips, which are often eaten with chili, salsa, or cheese dip, are a traditional staple in Mexican cuisine and a popular snack food around the world.
Fact 6: Charlemagne Crowned
On this day in 814 CE, Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor passed away. His reign had a profound impact on the course of European history.
Fact 7: The Birth of Baseball
Albert Spalding, an important player in the early development of baseball, was born on January 29, 1850. Spalding was instrumental in establishing part of the game's standardized rules and founded an important sports equipment company.
Fact 8: Sharing the Strength of Solidarity
January 29 is observed as the Thomas Paine Day or Freethinkers Day, honoring American patriot, activist and author Thomas Paine who wrote "The Age of Reason", "The Rights of Man" and "Common Sense."
Fact 9: Master Storyteller's Inception
The world-renowned Russian playwright Anton Chekhov was born on January 29, 1860. Creator of masterpieces like "The Cherry Orchard" and "Three Sisters," his birth is remembered as a literary milestone.
Fact 10: A Win for Equal Rights
The Kansas Equal Suffrage Association successfully amended the state constitution to allow women to vote on January 29, 1913. This was seven years before the 19th US constitutional amendment confirmed national suffrage for women.
Fact 11: Pioneering Voice of Radio Broadcasting
The first radio broadcast of a news program occurred on this day in 1924. The BBC delivered the news with their characteristic clink of Big Ben at the start.
Fact 12: Remembering a Civil Rights Leader
On January 29, 1945, Tom S. Coleman, who would later become a formidable figure in the American Civil Rights Movement, was born. As an attorney, Coleman represented several African-American civil rights activists during the 1960's.
Fact 13: A Step Towards Inclusion
On January 29, 2009, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was the first bill that President Barack Obama signed into law. It ensures equal pay for women.
Fact 14: Audiences Thrilled by Phantom Debut
Andrew Lloyd Webber's famous musical “Phantom of the Opera" debuted at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway on January 29, 1988. It holds the record as the longest-running show in Broadway history.
Fact 15: A Tale of Festivity in Iceland
January 29 marks the end of Thorrablót, a midwinter feast in Iceland. Thorrablót is an ancient pagan festival, which involves feasting on some of Iceland's most unique traditional culinary delicacies.
Fact 16: A Day of Remembrance in South Africa
In South Africa, January 29 is commemorated as National Leon Sullivan Summit Day to appreciate the anti-apartheid and civil rights leader's contribution to the nation.
Fact 17: A Scintillating Display in the Heavens
January 29, 2022, is when the first new moon of the year occurs. For the astronomy enthusiasts, it's a day to gaze into the stars.
Fact 18: The Birth of the First Woman Doctor in America
Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in America, was born on January 29, 1821, paving the way for countless women in the field of medicine.
Fact 19: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Human Genome
On January 29, 2001, Scientists from the University of Alberta and their international colleagues announced they had decoded the human genome, a ground-breaking achievement in the field of human genetics.
Fact 20: The Creation of the National Football League Officiating
January 29, 1936, saw each of the National Football League teams receiving an official, approved list of football signals. This important step in American football was the first move towards standardized and impartial football officiating.