28 fun facts for August, 29
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
August 29th holds significance in various fields, including historical events like the Treaty of Nanking and the invention of the electrical transformer. It also commemorates famed individuals like Michael Jackson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and celebrates unique events like the first ABBA performance after 30 years. The day is also observed as numerous national and international days like National Chop Suey Day, Indian National Sports Day, and the International Day Against Nuclear Tests.
28 Fun facts
- The Treaty of Nanking was signed on August 29, 1842, marking the end of the First Opium War between Britain and China. The treaty forced China to open five ports to British trade and cede Hong Kong.
- On August 29, 1831, Michael Faraday demonstrated the first electrical transformer during a lecture at the Royal Institution in London. Faraday's invention later contributed to the development of modern electrical power distribution.
- In 1966, The Beatles performed their last concert before a paid audience at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The band continued to record music in the studio, but they stopped touring completely to focus on their artistic development.
- Born on August 29, 1958, American singer, songwriter, and actor Michael Jackson would become one of the most famous pop stars worldwide. Jackson earned the title "King of Pop" due to his extraordinary career and influence in the music industry.
- On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region in the United States. The catastrophic storm led to more than 1,200 deaths and billions of dollars in damages.
- On this day in 1929, Italian inventor and electrical engineer Guglielmo Marconi successfully completed the first microwave transmission between Italy and Algeria, a distance of nearly 87 miles. This achievement marked a significant step forward in radio communication technology.
- August 29 is National Chop Suey Day in the United States, a day to celebrate the popular American-Chinese dish made with stir-fried vegetables and meat. The dish's origins are widely debated, but it has grown in popularity since the mid 19th century.
- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded on August 29, 1898, in Akron, Ohio. The company has since become one of the leading tire manufacturers in the world, known for its innovative technologies and expansive product offerings.
- On August 29, 1949, The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb, code-named "First Lightning," marking the start of the Cold War's arms race between the United States and the USSR.
- In 1963, the "Hotline" between the United States and the Soviet Union was established. This direct telephone link between the leaders of the two superpowers aimed to prevent accidental nuclear war by allowing immediate communication.
- August 29 is known as International Day Against Nuclear Tests. This United Nations observance focuses on raising awareness about the negative effects of nuclear testing and promoting a nuclear-weapon-free world.
- This day marks the birthday of French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, born in 1712, who significantly influenced Western thinking, especially in the realm of politics, literature, and education.
- Swedish pop band ABBA, famous for hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia,” perform together for the first time in over 30 years on August 29, 2018.
- On August 29, 1871, American inventor and artist Albert Bierstadt patents the Rocking & Revolving Chair, an early form of the rocking chair.
- In 1960, the first televised presidential debate took place between U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy. The event was a turning point in American politics, demonstrating the power of television in shaping public opinion.
- August 29 is Indian National Sports Day, which commemorates the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, known for his significant contributions to the Indian hockey team.
- American astronomer Edwin Hubble, famous for discovering the expansion of the universe, first observes a supernova on August 29, 1923, known as Supernova 1923A.
- On August 29, 1967, Argentina's Juan Perón renounces the presidency after a military coup, ending his second term after being re-elected in 1973.
- The popular city-building video game series, "SimCity," was first released by developer Maxis on August 29, 1989. The game has since inspired several sequels and spin-offs.
- Director Tim Burton's quirky film "Beetlejuice" was released on August 29, 1988, and starred actors Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Geena Davis.
- The first commercial was aired on August 29, 1947, when Bulova Watch Company ran a 10-second ad on WNBT, a local TV channel in New York.
- On August 29, 1786, a group of Massachusetts farmers led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays started a rebellion against economic policies they felt were oppressive, calling it "Shays' Rebellion."
- Romanian chemist and inventor Lazăr Edeleanu became the first to synthesize amphetamine on August 29, 1887.
- August 29 is More Herbs, Less Salt Day, which encourages the use of flavorful herbs instead of salt to maintain a healthier diet and lifestyle.
- On this day in 1890, construction began on the American Baptist Mission Church, which was built to serve the Oglala Lakota Native American community in South Dakota.
- August 29 is National Lemon Juice Day in the United States, a day dedicated to celebrating the many culinary uses and health benefits of lemon juice.
- In 1948, tennis legend Pancho Gonzales won the US Open Men's Singles Championship, his first of back-to-back titles, becoming a major figure in tennis history.
- On August 29, 1911, Japan's Ishikawajima Shipyard launched the first of many naval vessels, known as the "Chikugo," contributing to Japan's growing naval power.