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35 fun facts for October, 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
On October 29, many exciting events have taken place, including the founding of the International Red Cross, the premiere of Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni," and the first professional boxing match of Muhammad Ali. Additionally, it is the Republic Day of Turkey, National Cat Day in the US, and the birthdate of influential figures like William Wrigley Jr. and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
35 Fun facts
  1. On October 29, 1618, Sir Walter Raleigh, an English explorer and writer, was executed for treason. He was responsible for popularizing tobacco in England and played a crucial role in the early English colonization of the Americas.
  2. In 1787, Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni" premiered in Prague. The two-act opera, which tells the story of the legendary seducer, is considered one of Mozart's greatest works and has been performed countless times around the world.
  3. On October 29, 1863, the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, later known as the International Red Cross, was founded by Swiss businessman Henry Dunant. Its primary purpose is to provide humanitarian aid during times of war and natural disasters.
  4. National Cat Day is celebrated in the United States on October 29. This day aims to raise awareness about the plight of homeless cats and encourage the adoption of cats from shelters.
  5. In 1929, the New York Stock Exchange crashed on what would be known as "Black Tuesday," marking the beginning of the Great Depression. A long and severe economic downturn ensued, which lasted until the late 1930s.
  6. On October 29, 1945, the first commercially made ballpoint pens appeared on the market. The pen, called the Reynolds Rocket, was sold for $12.50 – an equivalent of around $170 today – and revolutionized the writing world.
  7. On this day in 1956, the "Wizard of Menlo Park," Thomas Alva Edison, was honored with a U.S. postage stamp. Edison was an American inventor and businessman who held more than 1,000 patents, including the phonograph and the electric light bulb.
  8. October 29 is the Republic Day of Turkey, celebrated each year to mark the founding of the modern Republic of Turkey by its founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in 1923.
  9. On October 29, 1960, Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali, won his first professional boxing match. The legendary boxer held the title of world heavyweight champion three times in his career.
  10. The supersonic passenger jet Concorde made its last commercial flight on October 29, 2003. The iconic aircraft was retired after 27 years in service due to high maintenance costs and a downturn in the aviation industry.
  11. On this day in 2004, the European Space Agency successfully launched its spacecraft, CryoSat, to observe Earth's polar ice caps. This mission helps scientists track changes in ice thickness resulting from climate change.
  12. October 29, 2008, marks the completion of the world's longest sea-crossing bridge, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge in China. The 22-mile long bridge connects the cities of Shanghai and Ningbo, reducing travel time between the two by half.
  13. In 1969, the first-ever computer-to-computer link was established on this day, initiating the birth of the internet. This groundbreaking moment took place at the University of California, Los Angeles.
  14. On October 29, 1948, Safsaf Massacre took place during the Arab-Israeli War. The incident led to the killing of 52–64 Palestinian villagers by Israeli soldiers, raising international concern and widespread controversy.
  15. October 29, 1911, saw Joseph Pulitzer's death, the Hungarian-American newspaper publisher responsible for shaping modern journalism. Pulitzer's legacy lives on through the prestigious Pulitzer Prizes, awarded annually for achievements in American journalism, literature, and music composition.
  16. In 2005, "V for Vendetta" premiered at the London Film Festival. The movie, based on the DC/Vertigo Comics series, follows a mysterious freedom fighter named "V" fighting against a totalitarian British regime.
  17. On this day in 1998, American astronaut John Glenn returned to space as the oldest person ever to set foot in space. He was a part of the Space Shuttle Discovery STS-95 mission as a Payload Specialist at the age of 77.
  18. On October 29, 1967, Expo 67 – a world exposition held in Montreal, Canada, to mark the centennial of the Canadian Confederation – closed its doors after six months, having welcomed over 50 million visitors during its run.
  19. On this day in 2002, Jam Master Jay, a member of the influential hip-hop group Run-DMC, was tragically murdered in a shooting in Queens, New York.
  20. In 2015, China announced the end of its one-child policy on this day. The decision was made to address various social and economic issues, including an aging population and a gender imbalance.
  21. On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the East Coast of the United States. The storm, nicknamed "Superstorm Sandy," caused widespread damage, devastating countless communities in New York, New Jersey, and other coastal states.
  22. On this day in 1964, the Mariner 3 spacecraft was launched by NASA, but a failure of the launch vehicle led to the mission's ultimate failure. Mariner 4 successfully completed the mission, sending back the first close-up images of Mars in 1965.
  23. In 2003, the 6.6 magnitude earthquake in Bam, Iran, killed at least 26,000 people, injured over 30,000, and left thousands homeless. The event led to a massive humanitarian response, with countries worldwide sending aid.
  24. On October 29, 1969, the "Ultimate Human Performance," a sculpture by Józef Gosławski, was unveiled at the entrance to the World Festival of Underwater Pictures.
  25. In 1989, rapper and actor Joaquin Phoenix was born on this day. He gained widespread critical acclaim for his role as the DC Comics character Joker in the 2019 film of the same name.
  26. On October 29, 1861, William Wrigley Jr., the founder of the Wrigley Company, was born. Known for producing chewing gum brands like Juicy Fruit and Doublemint, the company also owns the Chicago Cubs baseball team.
  27. In 1985, Major League Baseball player Brad Lidge was born. The adopted Texan was an All-Star closer, best known for his time with the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies.
  28. October 29 is National Oatmeal Day in the United States. Oatmeal is a popular breakfast dish made from hulled oat grains and celebrated for its health benefits and versatility.
  29. On this day in 1955, actor and comedian Roger Bart was born. He is best known for his roles in the films "The Producers" and "Young Frankenstein" and has won several awards throughout his career.
  30. In 1973, the English actor and comedian Robert Webb was born. Best known for his collaborations with David Mitchell in TV shows like "Peep Show" and "That Mitchell and Webb Look," Webb has entertained audiences for decades.
  31. On October 29, 1938, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female elected head of state in Africa and the former president of Liberia, was born. She was awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 2011 for her non-violent struggle for women's rights and the safety of women.
  32. In 2008, on this day, Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines completed their merger, creating the world's largest airline at the time.
  33. October 29 is National Hermit Day, which honors the lifestyle of staying inside, typically alone, and enjoying one's own company. The day encourages people to take a break from a hectic daily routine and social life.
  34. On this day in 2006, the National Eisteddfod of Wales, one of Europe's oldest and largest cultural festivals, concluded in Swansea, Wales. The Eisteddfod features various arts and cultural events, including music, literature, dance, and performance.
  35. In 1960, Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes registered as the first African-American students at the University of Georgia, marking a milestone in the desegregation of education in the United States.

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