29 July in history

5 events that happened on 29 July, from 1588 to 1981.

  1. ✦ Anniversary of the day

    1588 CE 438 years ago

    The English fleet defeats the Spanish Armada at Gravelines

    Scattered by fire-ships the night before, the Armada was attacked at close range off Gravelines (29 July Old Style). Driven north by wind, its ships fled around Scotland and Ireland, where many were wrecked.

    Spanish EmpireSpanish ArmadaScotland

  2. 1836 CE 190 years ago

    The Arc de Triomphe is inaugurated in Paris

    Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honour his armies, the Arc de Triomphe was finally inaugurated under King Louis-Philippe. Since 1921 it has sheltered France's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

    NapoleonParis

  3. 1900 CE 126 years ago

    King Umberto I of Italy is assassinated at Monza

    The anarchist Gaetano Bresci shot Umberto I to avenge the killing of protesters in Milan in 1898. It was one of a wave of anarchist assassinations that also claimed US President McKinley in 1901.

    Milan

  4. 1958 CE 68 years ago

    Eisenhower signs the act creating NASA

    Spurred by Sputnik, President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, creating a civilian space agency. NASA opened that October and within 11 years landed astronauts on the Moon.

  5. 1981 CE 45 years ago

    Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer

    The Prince of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral before a global television audience estimated at 750 million. The couple separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996.

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