30 fun facts for January, 29

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
January 29th is a day filled with historical events, national celebrations, and memorable milestones. From the establishment of the Victoria Cross and the prohibition amendment to National Puzzle Day and the release of iconic films, this day marks numerous important moments and achievements throughout history.
30 Fun facts
  1. In 1856, Queen Victoria institutes the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valor in the British and Commonwealth armed forces. The award recognizes acts of extreme bravery and is worn as a medal on a simple crimson ribbon.
  2. January 29th is National Puzzle Day, celebrating the entertaining and brain-teasing pastimes that have kept people entertained for centuries. Crosswords, jigsaws, and Sudoku are just a few examples of puzzles that challenge the mind and offer a fun escape from daily life.
  3. On this day in 1919, the amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors" was ratified. This led to the infamous era of Prohibition, which lasted until 1933.
  4. January 29th is also known as National Corn Chip Day in the United States. This day celebrates the popular snack made from cornmeal, which is fried or baked and comes in various flavors.
  5. In 1936, the first inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame were announced. The initial five members were Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson.
  6. On January 29, 1845, Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" was first published in the New York Evening Mirror. The poem has since become one of the most famous and enduring works in American literature.
  7. In 1967, the "ultimate high" of the Sixties' counterculture, the Mantra-Rock Dance, took place in San Francisco. Acts like Janis Joplin, Allen Ginsberg, and The Grateful Dead performed at this event, which attracted over 3,000 people.
  8. On January 29, 2002, President George W. Bush delivered his State of the Union address where he declared that Iran, Iraq, and North Korea formed an "axis of evil."
  9. In 1959, Walt Disney's classic animated film Sleeping Beauty premiered. The film remains a beloved fairy tale and is now part of the Disney Princesses franchise.
  10. On this day in 1963, the first members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were named, including legends of American football like Jim Thorpe, Red Grange, and George Halas.
  11. In 1977, the TV miniseries Roots, based on Alex Haley's bestselling novel, began airing on ABC in the United States. The series went on to become a television landmark that examined the painful history of American slavery.
  12. January 29th is Kansas Day, an observance that commemorates the state's admission to the Union in 1861.
  13. In 1964, Stanley Kubrick's satirical film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb was released. The critically acclaimed movie is considered a classic in the black comedy genre.
  14. On January 29, 1966, the British band The Kinks released their album "Face to Face." The album is a classic of the British Invasion and marked a turning point in the band's sound and songwriting.
  15. On January 29, 1984, the space shuttle Challenger completed its 10th mission. A year later, the shuttle was tragically destroyed during its next launch, killing all crew members on board.
  16. In 1998, during the "Centennial of Philippine Independence," President Fidel V. Ramos created Philippine Centennial Day to honor the country's history and the heroes who fought for the Philippines' freedom from Spain.
  17. On this day in 1989, British author Roald Dahl's centenary was celebrated. The event marked 100 years since the birth of one of the most beloved children's authors in literature.
  18. In 1996, Garth Brooks refused to accept his American Music Award for Favorite Artist-Adult Contemporary. The country star believed Hootie & the Blowfish deserved the award instead, as they had sold more albums that year.
  19. January 29th is also known as Curmudgeons Day, a day celebrating the grouchy and cantankerous personalities in our lives. The day honors humorist and author Groucho Marx, who was born on this day in 1890.
  20. On this day in 2003, basketball legend Michael Jordan played his final NBA game, retiring after achieving numerous honors and championships throughout his iconic and influential career.
  21. In 2005, the 77th Academy Awards took place. Million Dollar Baby won Best Picture, and Clint Eastwood took home Best Director for the film.
  22. On this day in 1930, Romanian mathematician, physicist, and engineer Petrache Poenaru received a French patent for inventing the fountain pen.
  23. On January 29, 873 AD, Charles the Bald, King of West Francia, held an assembly in France's Quierzy to determine policies and plans for defending the country against the Vikings.
  24. January 29th marks Republic Day in Nepal, an event celebrating the country's transition from a monarchy to a federal democratic republic in 2007.
  25. In 1961, Anita Lizana, a Chilean tennis player, won the Australian Championships women's singles title, making her the first Latin American tennis player to win a Grand Slam.
  26. On January 29, 1961, French artist Henri Matisse's iconic painting "Le Bateau" was discovered to be hanging upside down at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It had been displayed incorrectly for 47 days.
  27. On January 29, 1989, Sunday Silence, an American Thoroughbred who would become one of the most successful racehorses in history, made his racing debut.
  28. On this day in 1991, Nelson Mandela and South African President F.W. de Klerk announced an agreement to remove apartheid laws, marking a significant step toward the end of racial segregation in South Africa.
  29. In 1978, Sweden became the first country to enact laws banning the use of aerosol sprays containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) due to their damaging effects on the ozone layer.
  30. On this day in 2009, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of Lilly Ledbetter, allowing employees to sue their employers for wage discrimination within 180 days of receiving a paycheck affected by such discrimination.

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