[Fact 1: Royal Birth]
On October 29, 1390, King Louis XII of France was born. He was a member of the Valois Dynasty and served as king from 1498 until his death in 1515. Though Louis was known for his battles within Italy, he's remembered for being concerned about the welfare of his people and reorganizing the French legal system.
[Fact 2: A President's Inception]
October 29 isn’t just significant in France. It also holds importance in American history. America's 24th President, Rutherford B. Hayes, was born on this day in 1822. Hayes served as president from 1877 to 1881, and interestingly, was the first US President to have a telephone in the White House.
[Fact 3: The Wall Street Crash]
October 29, 1929, also known as Black Tuesday, marked the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States. On this day, panic selling reached its peak and led to the Great Depression, a long period of economic hardships spanning over ten years.
[Fact 4: The Dedication of Mount Rushmore]
On October 29, 1941, Mount Rushmore, an iconic symbol of American heritage, was officially dedicated. The grand sculpture features the faces of four U.S. Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore.
[Fact 5: "On the Internet, Nobody Knows You're a Dog"]
One of the most famous cartoons in the history of The New Yorker was published on this day in 1993. The comic, titled "On the Internet, Nobody Knows You're a Dog", humorously pointed out the anonymity of online communication and has since become a staple of internet culture.
[Fact 6: Departure of Duvalier]
October 29, 1981, marked the day when Haiti's dictator, Jean-Claude Duvalier, married Michele Bennett, leading to a bloated and extravagant ceremony that provoked outrage among the country's impoverished populace. The resulting protests were a major factor leading to his flight from the country in 1986.
[Fact 7: Turkish Republic Day]
October 29 is a significant day for the country of Turkey as it marks the celebration of Turkish Republic Day. This national holiday, which began in 1923, remembers the proclamation of the Turkish republic by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
[Fact 8: Birth of Richard Dreyfuss]
Hollywood actor Richard Dreyfuss was born on October 29, 1947. He is well-known for his roles in iconic films such as 'Jaws', 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', and 'The Goodbye Girl', for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor.
[Fact 9: Hurricane Mitch]
In 1998, Hurricane Mitch, one of the deadliest and strongest Atlantic hurricanes recorded, made landfall on October 29 in Honduras. The storm caused widespread destruction and resulted in over 11,000 deaths.
[Fact 10: The World Population Hits Six Billion]
On October 29, 1999, according to the United Nations, the world's population hit six billion. A month later, the United Nations proclaimed that a baby born in Sarajevo was the six billionth person alive on the planet.
[Fact 11: First Ballpoint Pen Sold]
October 29, 1945, marks the first sale of the ballpoint pen in the United States. The new writing instrument was sold for a whopping $12.50, making it a luxury item at the time.
[Fact 12: Edmund Halley's Birthday]
Edmund Halley, the astronomer after whom Halley's Comet is named, was born on October 29, 1656. He was the first to compute the orbit of the famous comet.
[Fact 13: First Human-Constructed Object to Reach Space]
On October 29, 1945, German engineer and scientist Fritz Zwicky launched the first human-constructed object into space - a V2 Rocket. This marked a significant milestone in the history of space exploration.
[Fact 14: The Completion of the Gateway Arch]
In 1965, on October 29, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis was completed. The stainless steel structure is the world's tallest arch and has since become a significant symbol of the city.
[Fact 15: The Ottoman Empire's Demise]
On October 29, 1923, the Ottoman Empire officially ended, and the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed. This marked a monumental shift in the geopolitical landscape of the time.
[Fact 16: Moby Dick's Publication in America]
On October 29, 1851, Herman Melville's iconic novel "Moby Dick" was published in America, a month after it was released in the UK. The book is now considered a classic of American literature.
[Fact 17: Microsoft Windows Was Released]
On this day in 1985, Microsoft released Windows 1.0, the first version of the Windows operating system. This led the way for personal computer use as we know it today.
[Fact 18: The Guggenheim Museum Opens]
On October 29, 1959, the Guggenheim Museum in New York City opened its doors to the public for the first time, showcasing its unique spiral design by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
[Fact 19: Construction of the Berlin Wall Ended]
On October 29, 1961, the construction of the Berlin Wall, which separated East and West Berlin, officially ended. The wall then stood as a powerful symbol of the Cold War for the next 28 years.
[Fact 20: Farewell to the Concordes]
October 29, 2003, marked the last day commercial passengers flew on the Concorde. The supersonic aircraft, renowned for its speed and luxurious service, was retired due to a lack of profitability. The last flight of the Concorde landed at London’s Heathrow Airport, ending a notable chapter in aviation history.