May 29 in History: Everest Is Conquered, Coca-Cola Is Advertised, and Rhode Island Ratifies the Constitution

Scott Winters, RealtorDiscover what happened on May 29 in history, along with notable events that shaped exploration, transportation, entertainment, and American history.

 

What Happened on May 29 in History?

Important events on this day include the first successful climb of Mount Everest, Coca-Cola’s first newspaper advertisement, and Rhode Island becoming the final original colony to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

 

MAY 29 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1721 – South Carolina was formally incorporated as a royal colony.

1790 – Rhode Island became the last of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

1827 – The first nautical school opened in Nantucket, MA, under the name Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin’s Lancasterian School.

1848 – Former Michigan Governor and Senator Lewis Cass was nominated as candidate for U.S. President. He was defeated in the election by Zachary Taylor.

1848 – Wisconsin became the 30th state to join the United States.

1849 – A patent for lifting vessels was granted to Abraham Lincoln.

1856 – In Bloomington, Illinois, President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech and said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.”

1886 – Pharmacist John Pemberton placed his first advertisement for Coca-Cola. The ad appeared in The Atlanta Journal.

1910 – An airplane raced a train from Albany, NY, to New York, NY. The airplane pilot Glenn Curtiss won the $10,000 prize.

1912 – Fifteen women were dismissed from their jobs at the Curtis Publishing Company in Philadelphia, PA, for dancing the “Turkey Trot” while on the job.

1916 – The official flag of the President of the United States was adopted.

1919 – The pop-up toaster was patented by Charles Strite.

1922 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that organized baseball was a sport, not subject to antitrust laws.

1942 – Bing Crosby recorded his Christmas song “White Christmas”. It’s the best selling single of all time.

1951 – C.F. Blair became the first man to fly over the North Pole in single engine plane.

1953 – Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became first men to reach the top of Mount Everest.

1962 – Buck (John) O’Neil became the first black coach in major league baseball when he accepted the job with the Chicago Cubs.

1974 – President Richard Nixon agreed to turn over 1,200 pages of edited Watergate transcripts.

1978 – Postage stamps were raised from 13 cents to 15 cents.

1977 – Janet Guthrie becomes the first woman to drive in the Indianapolis 500.

1981 – The U.S. performed a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site.

1985 – Thirty-nine people were killed and 400 were injured in a riot at a European Cup soccer match in Brussels, Belgium.

1986 – Colonel Oliver North told National Security Advisor William McFarlane that profits from weapons sold to Iran were being diverted to the Contras.

1988 – President Ronald Reagan began his first visit to the Soviet Union when he arrived in Moscow for a superpower summit with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

1999 – The Space Shuttle Discovery completed the first docking with the International Space Station.

2001 – In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Casey Martin, a golfer with a degenerative disease, has the legal right under the Americans with Disabilities Act to ride a golf cart during tournaments.

2003 – Scientists created a cloned mule named Idaho Gem from a cell from a mule fetus and a horse egg.

2004 – The National World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC.

2006 – Charlie Gibson took over as sole anchor of ABC’s “World News Tonight”.

2006 – Kimberly Dozier, a CBS television correspondent covering the war in Iraq, was injured in a roadside bombing in Baghdad and hospitalized in critical condition.

2009 – The Pixar animated movie “Up” premiered in theaters.

2015 – The Obama administration removed Cuba from the U.S. terrorism blacklist. The two countries had severed diplomatic relations in January of 1961.

2015 – One World Observatory at One World Trade Center opened.

2015 – The movie “Jurassic World” premiered in theaters.

2018 – ABC TV cancelled the sitcom “Roseanne” after star Roseanne Barr posted a racist tweet.

2021 – A Cessna Citation I/SP crashed into Percy Priest Lake in Tennessee, killing all six people on board, including actor Joe Lara and his wife Gwen Shamblin Lara.

 

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON MAY 29:

Richie Guerin – 94 years old (1932) – Basketball player and coach

Charles W. Pickering – 89 years old (1937) – Lawyer and judge

Harry Statham – 89 years old (1937) – Basketball player and coach

Joyce Tenneson – 81 years old (1945) – Photographer

Rebbie Jackson – 76 years old (1950) – Singer and actress

Danny Elfman – 73 years old (1953) – Film composer, singer-songwriter, producer, and actor

Robert Beaser – 72 years old (1954) – Composer and educator

Jerry Moran – 72 years old (1954) – Lawyer and politician

John Hinckley Jr. – 71 years old (1955) – Attempted assassin of Ronald Reagan

David Kirschner – 71 years old (1955) – Animator, producer, and author

Ken Schrader – 71 years old (1955) – Race car driver and sportscaster

La Toya Jackson – 70 years old (1956) – Singer-songwriter and actress

Jeb Hensarling – 69 years old (1957) – Lawyer and politician

Annette Bening – 68 years old (1958) – Actress

Mike Stenhouse – 68 years old (1958) – Baseball player and sportscaster

Melissa Etheridge – 65 years old (1961) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist

John Miceli – 65 years old (1961) – Drummer

Eric Davis – 64 years old (1962) – Baseball player

Howard Mills III – 62 years old (1964) – Academic and politician

Steven Levitt – 59 years old (1967) – Economist, author, and academic

Tate George – 58 years old (1968) – Basketball player

Hida Viloria – 58 years old (1968) – Activist

Laverne Cox – 54 years old (1972) – Actress and LGBT advocate

Bill Curley – 54 years old (1972) – Basketball player and coach

Mark Lee – 53 years old (1973) – Guitarist and songwriter

Steve Cardenas – 52 years old (1974) – Martial artist and retired actor

Aaron McGruder – 52 years old (1974) – Author and cartoonist

Daniel Tosh – 51 years old (1975) – Comedian, television host, actor, writer, and executive producer

Jerry Hairston Jr. – 50 years old (1976) – Baseball player and sportscaster

Raef LaFrentz – 50 years old (1976) – Basketball player

Brian Kendrick – 47 years old (1979) – Wrestler

Matt Macri – 44 years old (1982) – Baseball player

Carmelo Anthony – 42 years old (1984) – Basketball player

Nia Jax – 42 years old (1984) – Australian-American professional wrestler

Funmi Jimoh – 42 years old (1984) – Long jumper

Dhar Mann – 42 years old (1984) – Entrepreneur, film producer and YouTuber

Tobin Heath – 38 years old (1988) – Soccer player

Ezekiel Ansah – 37 years old (1989) – Ghanaian-American football player

Riley Keough – 37 years old (1989) – Model and actress

Joe Biagini – 36 years old (1990) – Baseball pitcher

Maika Monroe – 33 years old (1993) – Actress and kiteboarder

Tyler Nevin – 29 years old (1997) – Baseball player

Markelle Fultz – 28 years old (1998) – Basketball player

Austin Reaves – 28 years old (1998) – Basketball player

Gennaro Nigro – 26 years old (2000) – Soccer player

Puka Nacua – 25 years old (2001) – Football player

Andrew Torgashev – 25 years old (2001) – Figure skater

Paul Skenes – 24 years old (2002) – Baseball player

 

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MAY 29:

  • National Alligator Day: Celebrate National Alligator Day by learning gator safety, fun facts, and their vital role in wetland ecosystems, plus ideas for parks, films, and more.
  • End of the Middle Ages Day: Explore End of the Middle Ages Day, honoring Constantinople’s fall and the transition from medieval Europe to the Renaissance through history, culture, and reflection.
  • Oak Apple Day: Discover Oak Apple Day, honoring King Charles II’s daring escape, the oak leaf tradition, and enduring English heritage through community celebration.
  • International Day of UN Peacekeepers: Honor International Day of UN Peacekeepers, celebrating courage, sacrifice, and global efforts to protect civilians, uphold ceasefires, and rebuild societies.
  • National Heat Awareness Day: National Heat Awareness Day promotes heat safety, education, and community support to prevent heat-related illness and protect vulnerable people and pets.
  • World Digestive Health Day: World Digestive Health Day raises awareness of gut health, sharing tips, science, and resources to support digestion, immunity, and overall well-being.
  • National 529 Day: Discover how National 529 Day promotes tax-advantaged education savings, boosts awareness of 529 plans, and helps families reduce future student loan debt.
  • Put a Pillow on your Fridge Day: Discover the quirky tradition of Put a Pillow on your Fridge Day, celebrating good luck, prosperity, and family history with fun fridge photos and crafts.
  • National Biscuit Day: Celebrate National Biscuit Day by baking, sharing, and savoring biscuits in all their forms, from ancient ship biscuits to modern cookies and crackers.
  • National Paperclip Day: Discover the surprising history, symbolism, and everyday hacks behind the humble paper clip, and explore creative ways to celebrate National Paperclip Day.
  • International Everest Day: International Everest Day honors the first successful summit, celebrates Sherpa culture, and inspires learning, adventure, and environmental respect for Everest.
  • Learn About Composting Day: Discover how Learn About Composting Day turns food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil, cutting landfill waste and inspiring greener everyday habits.
  • National Children’s Gardening Week: Did you know that children who spend time in gardens often grow up to be more environmentally conscious? National Children’s Gardening Week aims to inspire a love for gardening among kids. Held annually in the late spring, this event is a great opportunity to encourage children to explore nature! How to...
  • European Neighbours’ Day: European Neighbours' Day invites people living nearby to connect and build stronger communities. It's a chance to step outside, share a smile, and turn strangers into friends. Across towns and cities, neighbours gather in parks, courtyards, and streets, bringing food, laughter, and stories. The goal is simple: create a sense...
  • National Snail Day: Celebrate National Snail Day by discovering these overlooked creatures, their role in ecosystems, and simple ways to protect their habitats and biodiversity.
  • National Coq Au Vin Day: Celebrate National Coq Au Vin Day by savoring this classic French chicken and wine stew, exploring its rich history, and hosting a cozy, rustic French feast.
  • World Tiger Nut Day: Small but mighty, these golden nuggets offer a nutritious crunch, surprising taste, and endless culinary possibilities.
  • Garden Wildlife Week: Garden Wildlife Week, observed in the early summer, is a lively celebration of the natural world found in our gardens. This week encourages people to appreciate and protect the birds, insects, and plants in their backyards. The celebration highlights the vital role these creatures play in keeping our environment healthy! How...
  • National Hydroxyapatite Day: Hydroxyapatite is a mineral that makes up most of our bones and teeth. It gives them strength and structure. In toothpaste, hydroxyapatite helps repair enamel and reduce sensitivity. Dentists also use it in fillings and to coat implants, helping them bond better with bone. Its natural presence in the body...
  • Tracky Dack Day: Tracky Dack Day is a funny name for a serious cause. This annual event, run by TLC for Kids, encourages people to wear their favorite track pants (aka 'tracky dacks'!) to support children in hospitals! The name brings a smile, but the mission is profound. It raises awareness and funds...
  • Italian Beef Week: What's better than sinking your teeth into a juicy sandwich piled high with tender beef, topped with sweet peppers?

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For additional information check out websites like: www.on-this-day.com, www.born-today.com, www.famousbirthdays.com, www.daysoftheyear.com, and www.nationaldaycalendar.com.

I’ve always been the kind of person who notices the things other people overlook — strange roadside attractions, forgotten pieces of history, unusual places, odd trends, and the little things in everyday life that make you stop and say, “Wait... when did that become normal?” That curiosity is really what this blog is all about. I’m especially drawn to the stories hiding in plain sight: a forgotten piece of Michigan history, a roadside attraction you’d never know was there, an old building with a story behind it, or some completely ordinary part of modern life that suddenly seems ridiculous when you think about it for more than five seconds. Some days you’ll find a fascinating history story here. Other days I may take you along on a road trip, dig into something weird from Michigan’s past, share an interesting discovery, or simply rant about something in modern life that makes absolutely no sense. I don’t pretend to have all the answers. I just enjoy asking the questions, digging around for the stories, and sharing the interesting things I find along the way. My goal is simple: Keep looking. Keep learning. And keep things interesting.

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