Browse Historical Events by Day: What Happened on January 29th?

Birth of the historian and philosopher, Herodotus, often called the "Father of History."

Pope Gelasius II succeeds Pope Paschal II as the 161st pope.

King Stephen of England and Empress Matilda sign the Treaty of Wallingford, recognizing Stephen as king while allowing Matilda's son to inherit the throne.

The Ottoman Sultan Selim I occupies Egypt, marking the end of the Mamluk Sultanate.

The Ottoman Empire agrees to the Peace of Vasvar with Austria and Holy Roman Empire, ending the Fifteen Years' War.

The "Baltimore News-Letter," the first newspaper in the American colonies, is published.

A fire destroys the Palace of Whitehall in London.

The British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act, a major concession to the American colonies.

The Treaty of Nanking is signed, ending the First Opium War between Britain and China.

Henry Clay presents the Compromise of 1850 to the U.S. Senate in an attempt to prevent a civil war over slavery.

The British East India Company conquers the Kingdom of Punjab.

Kansas is admitted into the Union, becoming the 34th State

Karl Benz patents the first successful gasoline-driven automobile.

The first case of Ebola is confirmed in the United States, leading to an international health crisis.

Myanmar's military seizes power in a coup, detaining civilian leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi.