July 29 in history — What Happened Today in History
July 29 in history is full of turning points. This page walks you through what happened on July 29 in history, who was born on July 29 and who passed away on July 29, so nothing about this day slips past you.
On this page, July 29 in history is arranged as a timeline of major events in reverse order, with birthdays and deaths in their own sections, plus a short FAQ about July 29 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on July 29 in History 40
- 2024
Three children are stabbed to death and 10 other people injured at a dance studio in Southport, England. This incident, coupled with widespread online misinformation, leads to various racially motivated riots across the UK.
- 2021
The International Space Station temporarily spins out of control, moving the ISS 45 degrees out of attitude, following an engine malfunction of Russian module Nauka.
- 2019
The 2019 Altamira prison riot between rival Brazilian drug gangs leaves 62 dead.
- 2015
The first piece of suspected debris from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is discovered on Réunion Island.
- 2013
Two passenger trains collide in the Swiss municipality of Granges-près-Marnand near Lausanne injuring 25 people.
- 2010
An overloaded passenger ferry capsizes on the Kasai River in Bandundu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, resulting in at least 80 deaths.
- 2005
Astronomers announce their discovery of the dwarf planet Eris.
- 1996
The child protection portion of the Communications Decency Act is struck down by a U.S. federal court as too broad.
- 1993
The Supreme Court of Israel acquits alleged Nazi death camp guard John Demjanjuk of all charges and he is set free.
- 1987
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President of France François Mitterrand sign the agreement to build a tunnel under the English Channel (Channel Tunnel).
- 1987
Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi and President of Sri Lanka J. R. Jayewardene sign the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord on ethnic issues.
- 1985
Space Shuttle Challenger launches on STS-51-F. The shuttle ends up in a lower orbit than planned due to an engine failure during ascent.
All entries for July 29(+28)
- 1981
A worldwide television audience of around 750 million people watch the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral in London.
- 1981
After impeachment on June 21, Abolhassan Banisadr flees with Massoud Rajavi to Paris, in an Iranian Air Force Boeing 707, piloted by Colonel Behzad Moezzi, to form the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
- 1980
Iran adopts a new "holy" flag after the Islamic Revolution.
- 1976
In New York City, David Berkowitz (a.k.a. the "Son of Sam") kills one person and seriously wounds another in the first of a series of attacks.
- 1973
Greeks vote to abolish the monarchy, beginning the first period of the Metapolitefsi.
- 1973
Driver Roger Williamson is killed during the Dutch Grand Prix, after a suspected tire failure causes his car to pitch into the barriers at high speed.
- 1972
Two Avianca Douglas DC-3 airliners collide over Colombia, killing 38.
- 1967
Vietnam War: Off the coast of North Vietnam the USS Forrestal catches on fire in the worst U.S. naval disaster since World War II, killing 134.
- 1967
During the fourth day of celebrating its 400th anniversary, the city of Caracas, Venezuela is shaken by an earthquake, leaving approximately 500 dead.
- 1965
Vietnam War: The first 4,000 101st Airborne Division paratroopers arrive in Vietnam, landing at Cam Ranh Bay.
- 1958
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs into law the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which creates the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- 1957
The International Atomic Energy Agency is established.
- 1957
Tonight Starring Jack Paar premieres on NBC with Jack Paar beginning the modern day talk show.
- 1950
Korean War: After four days, the No Gun Ri Massacre ends when the US Army 7th Cavalry Regiment is withdrawn.
- 1948
Olympic Games: The Games of the XIV Olympiad: After a hiatus of 12 years caused by World War II, the first Summer Olympics to be held since the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, open in London.
- 1947
A gas explosion in Harrisonburg, Virginia kills 11 and injures 30.
- 1945
The BBC Light Programme radio station is launched for mainstream light entertainment and music.
- 1937
Tongzhou mutiny: In Tongzhou, China, the East Hebei Army attacks Japanese troops and civilians.
- 1932
Great Depression: In Washington, D.C., troops disperse the last of the "Bonus Army" of World War I veterans using arson, bayonets, sabers, tanks, tear gas, and vomit gas.
- 1921
Adolf Hitler becomes leader of the National Socialist German Workers' Party.
- 1920
Construction of the Link River Dam begins as part of the Klamath Reclamation Project.
- 1914
The Cape Cod Canal opened.
- 1910
The two-day Slocum massacre commences in Texas, a race riot in which more than 100 African Americans are murdered.
- 1907
Sir Robert Baden-Powell sets up the Brownsea Island Scout camp in Poole Harbour on the south coast of England. The camp runs from August 1 to August 9 and is regarded as the foundation of the Scouting movement.
- 1901
Land lottery begins in Oklahoma.
- 1900
In Italy, King Umberto I of Italy is assassinated by the anarchist Gaetano Bresci. His son, Victor Emmanuel III, 31 years old, succeeds to the throne.
- 1899
The First Hague Convention is signed.
- 1871
The Connecticut Valley Railroad opens between Old Saybrook, Connecticut and Hartford, Connecticut in the United States.
Famous Birthdays on July 29 in History 25
- 2003
Johnny Brackins, American long jumper and hurdler
- 2003
Jens Castrop, German-South Korean footballer
- 2003
Renato Veiga, Portuguese footballer
- 2000
Yacine Adli, French footballer
- 1998
Mirjam Björklund, Swedish tennis player
- 1998
Clayton Keller, American ice hockey player
- 1998
Tijjani Reijnders, Dutch footballer
- 1995
Neal Pionk, American ice hockey player
- 1994
Liam O'Brien, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1994
Daniele Rugani, Italian footballer
- 1993
Nicole Melichar, American tennis player
- 1993
Ayoze Pérez, Spanish footballer
All entries for July 29(+13)
- 1993
Dak Prescott, American football player
- 1992
Djibril Sidibé, French footballer
- 1992
Karen Torrez, Bolivian swimmer
- 1991
Dale Copley, Australian rugby league player
- 1991
Irakli Logua, Russian footballer
- 1990
Shin Se-kyung, South Korean actress, singer and model
- 1989
Grit Šadeiko, Estonian heptathlete
- 1988
Tarjei Bø, Norwegian biathlete
- 1985
Okinoumi Ayumi, Japanese sumo wrestler
- 1985
Besart Berisha, Albanian footballer
- 1985
Jonatan Maidana, Argentine footballer
- 1985
Simon Santoso, Indonesian badminton player
- 1984
Oh Beom-seok, South Korean footballer
Notable Deaths on July 29 in History 25
- 2025
Alon Abutbul, Israeli film, television and theater actor (born 1965)
- 2018
Oliver Dragojević, Croatian recording artist (born 1947)
- 2018
Nikolai Volkoff, Yugoslav-born American professional wrestler (born 1947)
- 2015
Antony Holland, English-Canadian actor, director, and playwright (born 1920)
- 2015
Peter O'Sullevan, Anglo-Irish sportscaster (born 1918)
- 2015
Mike Pyle, American football player and sportscaster (born 1939)
- 2015
Franklin H. Westervelt, American computer scientist, engineer, and academic (born 1930)
- 2014
M. Caldwell Butler, American soldier, lawyer, and politician (born 1925)
- 2014
Jon R. Cavaiani, English-American sergeant, Medal of Honor recipient (born 1943)
- 2014
Giorgio Gaslini, Italian pianist and composer (born 1929)
- 2014
María Antonia Iglesias, Spanish journalist and author (born 1945)
- 2014
Péter Kiss, Hungarian engineer and politician (born 1959)
All entries for July 29(+13)
- 2014
Idris Muhammad, American drummer and composer (born 1939)
- 2014
Thomas R. St. George, American soldier and author (born 1919)
- 2013
Christian Benítez, Ecuadorian footballer (born 1986)
- 2013
Peter Flanigan, American banker and civil servant (born 1923)
- 2013
Tony Gaze, Australian soldier, pilot, and race car driver (born 1920)
- 2013
Munir Hussain, Indian cricketer and sportscaster (born 1929)
- 2012
Tatiana Egorova, Russian footballer and manager (born 1970)
- 2012
August Kowalczyk, Polish actor and director (born 1921)
- 2012
Chris Marker, French photographer and journalist (born 1921)
- 2012
James Mellaart, English archaeologist and author (born 1925)
- 2012
John Stampe, Danish footballer and coach (born 1957)
- 2010
Charles E. Wicks, American chemist and academic (born 1925)
- 2008
Bruce Edward Ivins, American scientist and bio-defense researcher (born 1946)
That is the story of July 29 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on July 29 to relive these world-changing moments — or take a random trip through time and see what happened on another day in history.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on July 29 in history?
The biggest event on July 29 in history is: 2024 — Three children are stabbed to death and 10 other people injured at a dance studio in Southport, England. This incident, coupled with widespread online misinformation, leads to various racially motivated riots across the UK.. In total, 40 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on July 29?
25 famous people were born on July 29 in history, the best known being 2003 — Johnny Brackins, American long jumper and hurdler.
Who died on July 29?
25 notable people died on July 29 in history, including 2025 — Alon Abutbul, Israeli film, television and theater actor (born 1965).
Why should I read about July 29 in history?
Exploring July 29 in history helps you grasp the day's place in history in just a few minutes: events, birthdays and deaths in one read — perfect for students, teachers and curious minds.
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