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Explore the historical events that shaped our world on January 29th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Birth of the historian and philosopher, Herodotus, often called the "Father of History" circa 484 BCE
Herodotus of Halicarnassus was Greek researcher, historian and geographero ften called the world's first historian a titled believed to have been conferred on him by the ancient Roman orator Cicero.by. He wrote The Histories, a detailed account of the Greco-Persian Wars, among many other subjects such as the rise of the Achaemenid dynasty of Cyrus.
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.
Edward III becomes King of England at the age of 14, after the forced abdication of his father, Edward II. He was coronated on February 1, 1327 at Westminster Abbey. His mother, Isabella of France, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, ruled as regents in young Edward's name until Edward III asserted his own power by staging a coup on October 19, 1330 and taking full control of the government.
The Académie Française was created by Cardinal Richelieu under Louis XIII on January 29, 1635; a council for matters related to the French language and literature. The first Dictionnaire de l'Académie rançaise was published in 1694 with 18,000 terms. The most recent complete edition, the 8th, was finished in 1935 and contains 35,000 words.
The peace conference at Utrecht, Netherlands, known as the "Congress of Utrecht", officially begins on January 29, 1712. Secret peace talks between Great Britain and France in 1711 paved the way for the formal conference. The major treaties, were signed on April 11, 1713, ending the War of the Spanish Succession, settling dynastic issues and reshaping European and colonial territories.
The Treaty of Utrecht refers to a series of peace treaties signed in Utrecht, Netherlands, between 1713 and 1715. The major treaties, were signed on April 11, 1713, ending the War of the Spanish Succession, settling dynastic issues and reshaping European and colonial territories. Settling the Spanish throne with Philip V, grandson of France's Louis XIV, renouncing his claim to the French throne, preventing a Bourbon superstate and establishing European balance of power. The treaties also granted Britain key territories like Gibraltar, Minorca and Nova Scotia plus the lucrative Asiento (slave trade monopoly) marking Britain rise as a world power The conflict officially ended with later treaties in 1714 and 1715.
The "Baltimore News-Letter," the first newspaper in the American colonies, is published.
The British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act, a major concession to the American colonies.
Britain's King George III dies at age 81, on January 29, 1820 and his eldest son, George, Prince of Wales, ascends to the throne as King George IV. George III had suffered years of mental illness and his son had already ruled as Prince Regent since 1811 due to his father's incapacity.
George IV reigned for ten years until his own death in 1830. He was succeeded by his younger brother, William IV, since George had no legitimate surviving children.
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
The Bear River Massacre takes place on January 29, 1863. It was the largest massacre of Indigenous people in present-day Montana. It was a United States military attack that killed an estimated 250 to 493 children, women, and men at a Shoshone winter encampment More
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.
