2026

Birthdays & Historical Events – May 29

← National Days on May 29

Birthdays & Historical Events – May 29

Historical Events on May 29

Events that occurred on May 29 throughout history

1677

The Treaty of Middle Plantation establishes peace between colonists and local Native Americans.

The Treaty of Middle Plantation establishes peace between the Virginia colonists and local Native Americans prohibiting English Settlers from planting or building within 3-miles of any Indigenous "town". The treaty included leaders of the Nottoway, Appomattox, Weyanoke, Nansemond, and other regional tribes.

1787

James Madison and Edmund Randolph propose a national government with three branches.

The Virginia Plan (James Madison and Edmund Randolph) propose a national government with three branches - legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

1790

Rhode Island becomes the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify the Constitution.

Rhode Island becomes the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify the Constitution after rejecting it seven times. The state feared that joining the union would strip its control over trade and impose unwanted federal taxes.

1848

Wisconsin becomes the 30th state to join the Union.

Wisconsin becomes the 30th state in the U.S. in 1848, almost two years after the territory was formed.

1849

President Lincoln says his most famous quote.

President Lincoln says his famous quote: "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."

1851

The first alcohol prohibition law in the U.S. is enacted

Maine enacts the first alcohol prohibition law in the U.S. Known as the 'Maine Law", the state legally banned the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors.

1851

Sojourner Truth delivers her famous Ain't I a Woman? speech.

Black activist Sojourner Truth delivers her famous Ain't I a Woman? speech in Akron, OH.

1861

Dorothea Dix sets up hospitals for the injured Union Army soldiers.

Dorothea Dix sets up hospitals for the injured Union Army soldiers. Appointed as Superintendent of Women Nurses for the Union Army, Dix became the first woman to serve in such a high-capacity, federally appointed role. She established temporary emergency hospitals, processed and deployed nurses, and organized supply distribution for critical locations.

1886

The first Coca-Cola advertisement appears in The Atlanta Journal.

The first Coca-Cola advertisement appears in The Atlanta Journal. Originally developed the recipe as a medicinal tonic, the product was initially marketed it as "Pemberton's French Wine Coca."

1912

Curtis Publishing fires 15 young women for dancing the Turkey Trot.

Curtis Publishing (PA) fires 15 young women for dancing the Turkey Trot. This ragtime-era dance was very controversial and considered immoral by the Vatican.

1916

The official flag of the President of the U.S. is adopted.

The official flag of the President of the U.S. is adopted. The design consists of the Eagle, Olive Branch, Arrows, Shield, and Stars.

1919

Charles Strite files a patent for an automatic pop-up toaster.

Charles Strite files a patent for an automatic pop-up toaster. His invention used a mechanical timer to shut off the heating elements and springs to automatically eject the toast, preventing it from burning. Before this, bread had to be flipped by hand manually removed when ready.

1932

World War I veterans gather in Washington, D.C., to request cash bonuses promised to them.

World War I veterans gather in Washington, D.C., to request cash bonuses promised to them to be paid in 1945. Poverty during the Great Depression prompted veterans to seek their payout to feed their families.

1979

The first rock radio network premieres in the U.S.

The first rock radio network, The Source, premieres in the U.S. aimed towards young adults. The station provided a mix of rock music and contemporary news.

2001

The Supreme Court rules a disabled golfer can use a cart to ride in tournaments.

The Supreme Court rules disabled golfer, Casey Martin, could use a cart to ride in tournaments. The Court agreed with Martin's argument that the core essence of golf is hitting a ball into a hole with precision and not physical endurance or walking.

2004

The National World War II Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C.

The National World War II Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C. The memorial took 11 years to complete and pays tribute to the service and sacrifice of America’s World War II generation.

2015

The One World Observatory at One World Trade Center opens.

The One World Observatory at One World Trade Center opens in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the U.S. and has the same name as the North Tower of the original World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Born on May 29

People born on May 29

1736
PH

Patrick Henry

1736–1799 · would be 291

The first Governor of Virginia and and founder of the country who famously said "Give me liberty or give me death."

1826
EB

Ebenezer Butterick

1826–1903 · would be 201

Inventor of the tissue paper dress pattern.

1841
SM

Sylvester Magee

1841–1971 · would be 186

Sylvester Magee was the last living American slave said to allegedly be 130 years old at his death. He was born in North Carolina two enslaved people named Ephraim and Jeanette, also slaves. At the age of 19 he was purchased at a slave market in Enterprise, Mississippi by Hugh Magee, the owner of a plantation in Covington County, Mississippi.

1852
TR

Theodore Robinson

1852–1896 · would be 175

Painter who was one of the first American artists to take up Impressionism (spontaneous painting outdoors).

1903
BH

Bob Hope

1903–2003 · would be 124

Comedic actor and entertainer whose career that spanned nearly 80 years. He gain several achievements and awards throughout his career.

1917
JF

John F. Kennedy

1917–1963 · would be 110

The 35th President of the U.S. He was the youngest person elected president, at 43 years.

1941
BS

Bob Simon

1941–2015 · would be 86

60-Minutes journalist known for his extensive reporting over a 47-year career, earning more than 40 major awards. During his career he covered 67 countries during crisis and war, including the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam, the Israeli–Lebanese Conflict (1982), and Tiananmen Square (1989).

1950
RJ

Rebbie Jackson

Born 1950 · turns 77 in 2027

Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson-Brown is a singer and the oldest sibling of the Jackson family. She performed in the early years of the Jackson's, until the group moved to the all male group the Jackson 5.

1958
AB

Annette Bening

Born 1958 · turns 69 in 2027

Multi-award winning actress with credits in The Grifters (1990), American Beauty (1999), and Apples Never Fall (2024).

2012
AG

Andy Griffith

Born 2012 · turns 15 in 2027

Actor fondly remembered for his roles in The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968) and the legal drama Matlock (1986–1995).

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