23 fun facts for July, 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
July 29th marks various significant events, such as the formation of NASA, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, and the establishment of International Tiger Day. It also celebrates historical breakthroughs like the first photograph of a total solar eclipse, the founding of the Boy Scouts, and the discovery of the dwarf planet Eris.
23 Fun facts
  1. On July 29th, 1851, the first-ever photograph of a total solar eclipse was taken by Johann Julius Friedrich Berkowski in Germany. A prominent daguerrotypist, Berkowski captured this celestial event at the Royal Observatory in Königsberg.
  2. In 1958, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act into law, creating NASA, the premier space agency of the United States, responsible for its civilian space program and aerospace research.
  3. On July 29, 1981, the United Kingdom's Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were married in a globally televised, star-studded ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, attracting an audience of over 750 million people.
  4. The International Tiger Day or Global Tiger Day is observed every year on July 29th since 2010 to raise awareness about the conservation of tigers and promote their protection.
  5. On this day in 1967, the USS Forrestal, an aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy, experienced a devastating fire caused by an electrical power surge during its Vietnam War operations, leading to the death of 134 sailors.
  6. In 1836, the Arc de Triomphe, an iconic national monument symbolizing French unity, was inaugurated in Paris after 30 years of construction, commemorating the soldiers who fought and died during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.
  7. On July 29, 1907, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, a British Army officer, founded the Boy Scouts movement by organizing the first-ever camp on Brownsea Island in England as a way to develop strong character and skills in young men.
  8. In 1996, a US court ruled on this day that Microsoft Corporation had unlawfully tried to maintain a monopoly in personal computer operating systems, beginning a long legal battle that defined the standards of competition in the technology industry.
  9. In 1921, Adolf Hitler became the leader of the National Socialist German Workers' (Nazi) Party. His appointment marked the beginning of the rise of the notorious political party that later led to World War II.
  10. On July 29, 1928, the Summer Olympic Games, also known as the IX Olympiad, commenced in Amsterdam. This year marked the first-ever live radio broadcast of the Olympics and the inclusion of female athletes in track and field events.
  11. In 1890, the famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh died, leaving behind an incredible legacy of artistic masterpieces. His tragic death marked the end of a life plagued by mental health issues and financial struggles.
  12. On this day in 1993, the Israeli Knesset approved the "Gaza-Jericho First" agreement with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The historic agreement granted Palestinian authorities limited self-rule in the occupied territories and marked a significant step towards lasting peace in the region.
  13. In 2005, astronomers announced the discovery of a new dwarf planet, now known as Eris, on July 29th. This discovery eventually led to a redefinition of the term 'planet' and the demotion of Pluto to the status of a dwarf planet in 2006.
  14. Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan joined the 3,000 strikeouts club on July 29, 1980, becoming the fourth pitcher in MLB history to achieve this milestone.
  15. In 1899, the first Hague Convention, an international treaty governing the conduct of warfare, was signed by 26 nations, establishing new guidelines and laying the groundwork for future conventions regarding such matters as the treatment of prisoners of war and the use of chemical weapons.
  16. On July 29, 1976, the infamous "Son of Sam" serial killer, David Berkowitz, began his killing spree in New York City, which would last for over a year and terrorize the entire city.
  17. In 2003, on this day, the last Volkswagen Beetle model rolled off the production line at a factory in Mexico. The iconic auto has been a favorite among consumers since its establishment in the 1930s.
  18. On July 29, 2000, actor Brad Pitt and actress Jennifer Aniston were married in a lavish, high-profile ceremony in Malibu, California. Their marriage would later end in divorce amid rumors of infidelity.
  19. In 1954, the first edition of The Fellowship of the Ring, the first volume in J.R.R. Tolkien's world-famous Lord of the Rings trilogy, was published on July 29. The novel has since gone on to become one of the best-selling books in history.
  20. On July 29, 1909, the automobile manufacturer General Motors acquired the Cadillac brand in a deal amounting to $4.5 million (equivalent to nearly $130 million today). This merger bolstered GM's luxury car division and secured Cadillac's place in automotive history.
  21. In 1968, the Vatican City published the controversial Humanae Vitae, an encyclical letter issued by Pope Paul VI that reaffirmed the Roman Catholic Church's stance prohibiting the use of artificial birth control methods for family planning.
  22. July 29, 1981, marked the premiere of one of the most iconic and critically acclaimed historical drama movies: Chariots of Fire. The film went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.
  23. On July 29, 1846, a boatload of Mormon pioneers, led by Samuel Brannan, arrived in what is now known as San Francisco. These settlers played a significant role in the city's development and its rich history as a hub for diverse communities.

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