August 29, 2026 celebrates International Day Against Nuclear Tests. The International Day Against Nuclear Tests on August 29 raises awareness and educates about the harmful effects of nuclear testing.
The first African-American race car driver to win a race at NASCAR (Jacksonville 200).
1947
TG
Temple Grandin
Autistic academic, author and ethologist who advocated for humane treatment of livestock for slaughter and autism.
1922
RB
Richard Blackwell
Fashion designer and critic who created the iconic Ten Worst Dressed Women List.
1958
MJ
Michael Jackson
Often referred to as the "King of Pop" who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
1936
JM
John McCain
Politician and former Naval Captain who was shot down and held as a North Vietnamese POW for six years.
1913
JM
Jackie Mitchell
One of America's first female pitchers who also struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
1917
IS
Isabel Sanford
Actress fondly remembered for her role as Louise "Weezy" Jefferson on the sitcom The Jeffersons.
1921
IA
Iris Apfel
Famous interior designer and fashion designer remembered for her flamboyant style, outspoken personality and oversized eyeglasses.
1777
H
Hyacinth
Russian orthodox monk and religious leader who founded Sinology, the academic discipline of studying China (culture, history, and language).
1813
HB
Henry Bergh
Activist and founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Historical Events on August 29
Events that occurred on August 29 throughout history
1758
The first American Indian reservation is established at Indian Mills, New Jersey.
1862
The U.S. Department of the Treasury forms the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing strictly to print newly issued paper currency.
1869
The Mount Washington Cog Railway opens and becomes the world's first mountain-climbing rack railway.
1885
The first heavyweight title fight is held in Ohio between boxers John L. Sullivan and Dominick McCaffrey. Sullivan won the match after six rounds plus an unofficial seventh round.
1896
Chop suey is supposedly invented by a chef in New York City. The chef of Chinese diplomat Li Hongzhang wanted to serve a meal that pleased both American and Chinese guests.
1898
The Goodyear Tire Company is founded in Akron, Ohio. The company was named after the inventor of rubber vulcanization, Charles Goodyear.
1911
The last Native American to make contact with European Americans emerges from the wilderness. Ishi, last surviving member of the Yahi tribe of northeastern California, appeared 44 years after it was thought there were no surviving tribal members. The tribe were either massacred or died from disease.
1943
Germany dissolves the Danish government after the Danish cabinet refused German demands to impose the death penalty for sabotage.
1949
The Soviet Union tests its first atomic bomb at Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan. Known as First Lightning or Joe 1, the bomb was more powerful than anticipated, with fallout being detected days after the test.
1958
U.S. Air Force Academy opens in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The first class of 306 cadets graduated a year later in 1959.
1997
Netflix is founded as an internet DVD rental service by Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings. The company later shifted to a digital streaming company in 2007.
2003
Skype Technologies released their video-conferencing software as a peer-to-peer voice calling program. Microsoft later bought the technology and transitioned it to Microsoft Teams.
2005
Hurricane Katrina devastates much of the U.S. Gulf Coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. Though there were warnings in advance to evacuate, more than 1,392 people died in the hurricane.
