1789Law
US Army formally established
The United States Congress formally established a standing army under the new Constitution, authorizing a small force to replace the disbanded Continental Army.
Sunday 11 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two celestial milestones share this date — Canada launches Alouette 1 (1962) and Space Shuttle Discovery returns America to space (1988), 26 years apart.
2 / 2 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Before dinosaurs existed, dragonflies with 2-foot wings ruled the sky.
Read on CurioVault.co →Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Halsey1994
29 September in history
8 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
1829Law
Metropolitan Police founded
London's Metropolitan Police Service began operations, creating the first professional police force in the capital. Founded by Home Secretary Robert Peel, its officers became known as bobbies and Peelers and the model was copied worldwide.
1954Discovery
CERN officially established
The European Organization for Nuclear Research came into existence when its founding convention entered into force. Based near Geneva, it later became the world's leading particle physics laboratory.
1962Celestial
Canada launches Alouette 1
Canada launched Alouette 1 from California, becoming the third country in space with its own satellite. It studied the ionosphere and operated for 10 years.
1982Tragedy
Chicago Tylenol poisonings
First deaths were reported in Chicago after Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules were deliberately laced with cyanide. Seven people died in total, leading to a nationwide recall and new tamper-proof packaging laws.
1988Celestial
Space Shuttle Discovery returns America to space
Space Shuttle Discovery launched on STS-26, the first shuttle flight after the Challenger disaster 32 months earlier. It carried redesigned booster rockets and a communications satellite.
1996Invention
Nintendo 64 launches in North America
Nintendo released the Nintendo 64 console in North America, introducing players to 3D platform games like Super Mario 64 and changing home gaming.
2008Global
Dow Jones record 777-point fall
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 777.68 points after the US House rejected a 700 billion dollar bank rescue plan. It was the largest single-day point drop in its history at the time.
Showing 1-8 of 8 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineLocal High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “The stock market crashes with the Dow Jones dropping a then record 778 points after the United States House of Representatives vote on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act fails during the beginning stages of the Great Recession.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
???? WeirdThe stock market crashes with the Dow Jones dropping a then record 778 points after the United States House of Representatives vote on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act fails during the beginning stages of the Great Recession.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1726 First everJohann Sebastian Bach led the first performance of Es erhub sich ein Streit, a cantata for Michaelmas.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1724 First ever
J. S. Bach led the first performance of Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir, BWV 130, based on Paul Eber's hymn in twelve stanzas, for the feast of archangel Michael.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 29 September — today is 11 October.
Born on this day
11994Birth
Halsey born
Singer-songwriter Halsey was born in Edison, New Jersey. She later became known for chart hits and collaborations and is one of the best-known modern birthdays on this date.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Accident
2020Death
Kobe Bryant dies
Kobe Bryant, professional basketball player, died on this day in 2020. Helicopter crash. Remembered as: Five-time NBA champion with the LA Lakers.
Suicide
2014Death
Robin Williams dies
Robin Williams, actor and comedian, died on this day in 2014. Suicide. Remembered as: Known for his improvisational skills and wide variety of roles.
Assassinated
1948Death
Mahatma Gandhi dies
Mahatma Gandhi, political ethicist, died on this day in 1948. Assassinated. Remembered as: Leader of the Indian independence movement.
Assassinated
1968Death
Martin Luther King Jr. dies
Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader, died on this day in 1968. Assassinated in Memphis. Remembered as: Prominent leader in the American civil rights movement.
Assassinated
1865Death
Abraham Lincoln dies
Abraham Lincoln, politician, died on this day in 1865. Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Remembered as: 16th President of the US, led the nation during the Civil War.
Famous birthdays
16 this weekToday · 29 September
- HHalseySinger-songwriter Halsey was born in Edison, New JerseyBorn 1994 · 32 years ago today
Coming up this week
Brie LarsonAmerican actress, singer and filmmaker (born 1989)1 October · born 1989
Julie AndrewsEnglish actress, singer and author (born 1935)1 October · born 1935
Jimmy CarterPresident of the United States from 1977 to 19811 October · born 1924- SStingBorn 19512 October · born 1951
Groucho MarxAmerican comedian (1890–1977)2 October · born 1890
Mahatma GandhiIndian independence activist (1869–1948)2 October · born 1869
Day of Recognition29 September
World Heart Day
Informs people around the globe that cardiovascular disease is the world's leading cause of death.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 29 September.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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