Fact 1: First Recorded Perihelion's Passage.
December 29, 1693, marks the first recorded perihelion passage, the point in the orbit of a planet where it is the closest to the sun. Astronomer John Flamsteed from England made this discovery regarding Mercury using his calendar method. This astronomical event occurs yearly for every planet but the dates vary.
Fact 2: Texas Statehood Day.
December 29 is an important day for Texans. On this day in 1845, Texas was admitted as the 28th state in the Union, and it is today recognized as Texas Statehood Day. Texas had been an independent nation for nearly 10 years after gaining independence from Mexico.
Fact 3: US Nuclear Reactor's Historic Moment.
This date in 1951 marks a historic achievement in the field of nuclear energy. On December 29, the first-ever U.S. nuclear reactor to generate a significant amount of electricity, the Experimental Breeder Reactor I in Idaho, powered four light bulbs.
Fact 4: Incorporation of Queens.
On December 29, 1894, the current borough of Queens in New York City was incorporated. The borough was originally part of Nassau County before its residents voted to become a borough of New York City.
Fact 5: The Appearance of Thomas Edison's Incandescent Lamp.
Thomas Edison's independently developed incandescent lamp made its first public demonstration on this day in 1879. The demonstration of the high resistance, incandescent electric light took place at his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey.
Fact 6: Great Fire in London.
On December 29, 1940, the second Great Fire of London occurred during World War II during the Blitz bombing. It led to the loss of many historic interiors, such as the 18th century interiors of the Guildhall and the church of St. Lawrence Jewry.
Fact 7: Birth of Pablo Casals.
The world-renowned cellist Pablo Casals was born on December 29, 1876. He is remembered for his powerful performances and contributions to the world of music, particularly his interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach's Cello Suites.
Fact 8: First Subway Line in the East.
Asia's first underground railway, the East Line of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in Singapore, started operations on December 29, 1989. The line is implemented with a fully automated technology system.
Fact 9: Jimmy Doolittle's Historic Flight.
On December 29, 1928, Jimmy Doolittle accomplished the first blind flight in history. He proved that full instrument flying, from takeoff to landing, was possible—a pivotal development in aviation.
Fact 10: National Pepper Pot Day in the USA.
Every December 29, the United States celebrates National Pepper Pot Day. The holiday commemorates a soup George Washington ordered made during the Revolutionary War to boost the morale of his troops during a harsh winter in 1777-1778.
Fact 11: Roman Empire Power Change.
December 29, 534 CE, marks a shift in the Roman Empire's power structure. Byzantine Emperor, Justinian I, chose to end consulship, an important political institution in Rome, making it his own imperial office.
Fact 12: 'Sunset Boulevard' Premieres in London.
On this day in 1993, the hit musical 'Sunset Boulevard' premiered in London. Based on a 1950 movie of the same name, it turned out to be one of the most successful stage productions.
Fact 13: Aviation Milestone in Korea.
December 29, 1954, stands as a significant date in the history of Korean aviation. Korean National Airlines (now Korean Air), the oldest and largest airline in Korea, was inaugurated on this day.
Fact 14: A Red Letter Day for Guatemala.
On December 29, 2011, Otto Pérez Molina was sworn in as the President of Guatemala. He was the country's first military leader since the end of the military dictatorship in 1986.
Fact 15: A Triumph for 'Madame Butterfly'.
On December 29, 1906, Puccini’s opera 'Madame Butterfly' had a triumphant premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, consequently bringing fame to the opera world.
Fact 16: Mongolia's Entry to the United Nations.
Mongolia joined the United Nations on December 29, 1961. Before its official admission, Mongolia's membership was blocked by the Republic of China for ten years due to the Sino-Soviet dispute.
Fact 17: First Successful Photography of an Aurora Borealis.
On December 29, 1898, the world’s first successful photos of the Aurora Borealis were taken in Alaska during an expedition led by physicist and meteorologist, E. W. Clayson.
Fact 18: Boxing Day Tsunami Tragedy.
In 2004, December 29 marked the day when the death toll from the 'Boxing Day Tsunami,' which hit a huge part of South and Southeast Asia, climbed over 120,000 people.
Fact 19: Start of Operation Nordwind.
December 29, 1944, marked the beginning of Operation Nordwind—a major offensive launched by Nazi Germany towards the end of World War II in an attempt to retake the French city of Strasbourg.
Fact 20: Discovery of a New Planet in Our Solar System.
On December 29, 2005, scientists announced the discovery of 'Eris,' dwarf planet that is slightly larger than Pluto, in the solar system. It is one of the furthest known objects in the solar system.
So, the next time December 29th rolls around, not only will you be able to impress others with your knowledge about the date, but you'll also appreciate the historical significance and noteworthy events related to it.