28 fun facts for April, 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
April 29th is a day full of historical events, celebrations, and milestones around the world. From the International Dance Day to the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp, the day has witnessed many groundbreaking events. Additionally, the day marks the birthdays and achievements of notable personalities and national celebrations in Japan and the Netherlands.
28 Fun facts
  1. On April 29, 1991, a cyclone struck the coastal regions of Bangladesh, causing over 130,000 deaths and massive destruction. This made it one of the deadliest tropical cyclones in history and the deadliest of the 20th century, leading to massive relief efforts and international aid.
  2. The International Dance Day (every April 29) was created in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO. The day is set aside to celebrate dance, promote the benefits of the art form, and encourage participation globally.
  3. In 1852, the first edition of Peter Roget's Thesaurus was published on April 29. This groundbreaking reference work, originally titled "Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases," comprised of synonyms and antonyms, outlived its creator and has since undergone numerous revisions and expansions.
  4. April 29, 1899, marked the birth of American composer and pianist Duke Ellington. He was a significant figure in the history of jazz and composed thousands of scores for both stage and screen. Ellington received numerous awards and honors, including 13 Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
  5. In 1859, a patent for the legendary Westminster Clock (Big Ben) was registered by Edmund Beckett Denison on April 29. It remains an iconic symbol of British heritage and is the most significant tourist attraction in the UK.
  6. The Zipper was invented and patented by Gideon Sundback, a Swedish-born American electrical engineer. The patent application was filed on April 29, 1913. The zipper has since become an essential element of clothing, luggage, and various other items for quick and efficient fastening.
  7. On April 29, 1945, the Dachau concentration camp was liberated by the U.S. Seventh Army during World War II. It was one of the first concentration camps in Germany and was operated from 1933 to 1945. Over 32,000 people reportedly died at the camp.
  8. In 1961, on April 29, ABC's "Wide World of Sports" premiered, showcasing a variety of sports from around the globe. The show was famous for its opening tagline, "The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat."
  9. The first 7-Eleven store was opened by the Southland Corporation on April 29, 1927, in Oak Cliff, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. This popular chain of convenience stores has since expanded to over 50 countries with more than 68,000 locations worldwide.
  10. On April 29, 1990, the wreckage of the Swedish warship, Vasa, was opened to the public for the first time. The ship sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was rediscovered in the 20th century to become a major tourist attraction in Stockholm.
  11. April 29, 1992, marked the beginning of the Los Angeles riots, sparked by the acquittal of police officers charged with using excessive force against Rodney King. The unrest lasted for six days, and it resulted in 63 deaths and more than $1 billion in damages.
  12. On April 29, 2011, Prince William and Catherine Middleton, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were married at Westminster Abbey. Millions of viewers from around the world tuned in to watch the historic and highly anticipated event on television.
  13. On April 29, 1975, the final U.S. helicopter left the U.S. embassy in Saigon, marking an end to the American presence in Vietnam.
  14. The world's fourth-largest industrial disaster took place on April 29, 2013, when the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1,134 people and injuring over 2,000.
  15. On April 29, 1986, American film director, producer, and screenwriter, Steven Spielberg, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is considered one of the founding pioneers of the New Hollywood era and is widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema.
  16. April 29, 1972, saw the premiere of the American romantic comedy film "What's Up, Doc?" directed by Peter Bogdanovich. The film starred Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal and became one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
  17. On April 29, 1920, the first scheduled radio concert was broadcast in Detroit by station WWJ. This event marks the beginning of the radio as a medium for the dissemination of arts and entertainment.
  18. In 2008, Apple Inc.'s iTunes surpassed Wal-Mart as the number one music retailer in the United States on April 29.
  19. On April 29, 2004, the U.S. military opened its notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq to journalists, revealing the inhumane conditions in which prisoners were kept, sparking a global outcry against the treatment of prisoners.
  20. April 29, 2004, marked the final flight of the Concorde supersonic airliner. The flight was from New York to London, bringing an end to a 27-year era of supersonic commercial air travel.
  21. On April 29, 2015, the NASA MESSENGER mission ended when the spacecraft crashed into the surface of the planet Mercury. This marked the end of a highly successful four-year mission to study Mercury's geology, magnetic field, and atmosphere.
  22. In 1987, the term "going postal" was first used in after 14 people were killed in a shooting incident at the U.S. Postal Service office in Edmond, Oklahoma, on April 29.
  23. The Netherlands celebrates their national holiday, Kings' Day (Koningsdag) on April 29 if King’s Day (April 27) falls on a Sunday. This day commemorates the birth of King Willem-Alexander and is marked by nationwide celebrations, parades, and street markets.
  24. On April 29, 1999, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 10,000 points for the first time in history.
  25. April 29 is recognized as Shōwa Day in Japan. This day is a national holiday that honors the birthday of the country's former emperor, Shōwa Hirohito (1901-1989), who was the longest-serving emperor in Japanese history.
  26. On April 29, 1953, the first-ever experimental 3D television broadcast occurred in the United States. It was a program called "Space Patrol," produced by ABC and broadcast in Los Angeles.
  27. Moroccan-American rapper and singer-songwriter, French Montana, was born on April 29, 1984. Best known for his hit song "Unforgettable," French Montana has achieved considerable success in the music industry.
  28. In 1993, American tennis legend Monica Seles was stabbed by a spectator on April 29 during a match in Hamburg, Germany. The attack kept her out of the game for over two years, but she eventually returned to win more tennis titles.

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