31 fun facts for December, 29

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
<< December, 28
December, 30 >>
Summary
Throughout history, December 29 has hosted many notable events, ranging from Texas joining the United States in 1845 to the release of the interactive film "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch" in 2018. Additionally, it is a day to remember various heroes in the Philippines and to celebrate national dishes like pepper pot soup in the United States.
31 Fun facts
  1. On December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th state of the United States. The declaration was signed by President James K. Polk, and Texas would later play a significant role in the American Civil War.
  2. In 1851, the first ever YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) in the United States was opened in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 29. Today, the YMCA has expanded globally, promoting fitness and well-being among communities.
  3. December 29, 1890, marks the date of the Wounded Knee Massacre that took place in South Dakota, USA. Over 150 Lakota Sioux Native Americans were killed by the American Army. Today, it is remembered for the tragic loss of life and the diminishing Native American population.
  4. On December 29, 1916, James Joyce's novel "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" was first published. The novel explores themes of religion, politics, and identity, and is considered one of the most important works of modernist literature.
  5. In 1922, The Hollywood Egyptian Theatre premiered the movie "Robin Hood," starring Douglas Fairbanks, on December 29. The film was one of the most expensive films made during its time, and it marked the beginning of the swashbuckler genre in Hollywood.
  6. On December 29, 1940, American author and activist Pearl S. Buck was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Buck was the first American woman to win the prestigious award, and she is best known for her novel "The Good Earth."
  7. December 29, 1953, is the date when "The Moon is Blue" became the first film to ever receive an "X" rating in Britain. The movie's suggestive content and dialogue made it unsuitable for family audiences, sparking controversy and censorship debates.
  8. On December 29, 1967, Star Trek's "The Trouble with Tribbles" episode aired on NBC. The episode, written by David Gerrold, became one of the series' most popular episodes and introduced the cute but troublesome creatures called tribbles.
  9. In 1972, Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 crashed on December 29 in the Florida Everglades, killing 101 people. The accident was caused by the crew's failure to monitor instruments while troubleshooting a minor issue, leading to the aircraft's unnoticed descent.
  10. December 29, 1986, saw American rock guitarist and singer, Phil Lynott, frontman of the band Thin Lizzy, pass away at age 36. The cause of death was pneumonia, exacerbated by his drug and alcohol abuse.
  11. On December 29, 1998, the leaders of the Khmer Rouge publicly apologized for the genocide they had committed in Cambodia during the 1970s. The apology came after nearly two decades of silence, but many victims and their families felt it was not enough to heal the wounds.
  12. December 29 is known as National Pepper Pot Day in the United States. This day celebrates the warming and comforting soup, which was historically served to the Continental Army during the harsh winter of 1777-1778.
  13. In 2001, on December 29, Argentina's economy minister, Domingo Cavallo, resigned. Cavallo's resignation came in the midst of an economic crisis that pushed Argentina into a massive default on its foreign debt.
  14. On December 29, 2007, the New Horizons spacecraft made its closest approach to Jupiter. The probe utilized Jupiter's gravity for a gravity assist, speeding up its journey to explore Pluto and the outer solar system.
  15. In 2012, December 29 marked the implementation of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act in the United States. This act allowed the FDA to regulate the manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products to protect public health.
  16. On December 29, 2013, Michael Schumacher, a retired Formula One racing champion, suffered a traumatic brain injury while skiing in the French Alps. Schumacher has been in a medically induced coma and is still in recovery as of 2021.
  17. December 29, 2016, is when actress Debbie Reynolds passed away, just one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher, died. Reynolds was a Hollywood legend, known for her roles in "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."
  18. On December 29, 2017, Apple issued an apology and offered a cheaper battery replacement program for customers. This was in response to their admission of purposely slowing down older iPhone models with aging batteries.
  19. December 29 is known as National Tick Tock Day in the United States. The day is a reminder that time is precious, and it encourages people to complete tasks and projects before the year ends.
  20. On December 29, 2018, Netflix released the interactive film "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch." The film allowed viewers to make choices for the main character, leading to numerous different endings.
  21. December 29 is known as National Hero Day in the Philippines. This day honors Andres Bonifacio, a Filipino nationalist who founded the Katipunan revolutionary society, which fought against Spanish colonization.
  22. On December 29, 2019, author J.K. Rowling was criticized and received backlash for supporting Maya Forstater, a researcher who lost her job after her controversial statements on transgender issues.
  23. December 29, 2020, marked South Korean singer and actor Kim Jaejoong's online concert titled "The Reunion in Memory." The concert, held during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilized XR technology to provide an immersive experience for fans.
  24. The Portuguese celebrate St. Thomas Becket's Day on December 29. St. Thomas Becket was an English archbishop and martyr who stood up against King Henry II's interference in the Church.
  25. On December 29, 2021, Kazakhstan celebrated Solidarity Day, which marked the 30th anniversary of the country's independence. It is a 5-day public holiday, aimed at fostering unity and harmony among various ethnic groups.
  26. December 29th is known as Still Need to Do Day. This unofficial holiday encourages people to reflect on their accomplishments from the year and identify tasks that are still pending or goals they need to pursue.
  27. In 1934, Japan renounced the Washington Naval Treaty on December 29. The treaty limited the naval armaments of its signatory countries, and Japan's withdrawal marked the beginning of its military expansion, leading up to World War II.
  28. On December 29, 1908, Spanish inventor and engineer José Protasio Urdaneta patented the first fire extinguisher. The invention saved countless lives and properties over the years, contributing to the development of firefighting technology.
  29. December 29, 1959, saw the first broadcast of the popular children's television show "The Flintstones." The iconic cartoon followed the lives of a prehistoric family and their antics, becoming a beloved classic for generations.
  30. On December 29, 1843, opera "I Lombardi alla prima crociata" premiered in Milan, Italy. The opera, composed by Giuseppe Verdi, was based on Tommaso Grossi's poem "I Lombardi."
  31. December 29, 1982, saw the official end of the Double Eagle II mission, completing the transatlantic balloon crossing by Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman. The mission took six days and is an example of perseverance and determination in balloon aviation.

Browse all the fun facts per month