January 29

Events

904day.year

Sergius III is elected pope, after coming out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed antipope Christopher.

Sergius III returns from retirement to assume the papacy in 904 following the deposition of antipope Christopher.
In 904, amidst intense power struggles in Rome, Sergius III emerges from retirement to claim the papal throne. He succeeds the deposed antipope Christopher and seeks to restore order in the Church. His election reflects the shifting alliances between Roman nobility and ecclesiastical authorities. Sergius III’s papacy is marked by efforts to consolidate spiritual and temporal power. He undertakes reforms to strengthen the influence of the Holy See. The event highlights the turbulent nature of early medieval papal politics. This moment sets precedents for future conflicts over papal succession.
904 Sergius III papacy antipope Christopher
946day.year

Caliph al-Mustakfi is blinded and deposed by Mu'izz al-Dawla, ruler of the Buyid Empire. He is succeeded by al-Muti as caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate.

In 946, Caliph al-Mustakfi is deposed by Buyid ruler Mu’izz al-Dawla and succeeded by al-Muti.
On January 29, 946, Mu’izz al-Dawla, the dominant military leader of the Buyid Empire, seizes Baghdad and deposes Caliph al-Mustakfi. The caliph is blinded and removed from power, illustrating the erosion of Abbasid authority. Al-Muti is installed as a puppet ruler, marking a shift in real power to the Buyid dynasty. This event underscores the complexity of Abbasid–Buyid relations and the fragmentation of caliphal influence. The deposition highlights the vulnerability of religious leaders to military strongmen. It sets a precedent for the instrumentalization of the caliphate by regional powers. The incident reshapes the political landscape of 10th-century Iraq.
946 al-Mustakfi Mu'izz al-Dawla Buyid Empire al-Muti Abbasid Caliphate
1814day.year

War of the Sixth Coalition: France engages Russia and Prussia in the Battle of Brienne.

In the 1814 Battle of Brienne, French forces under Napoleon confront Russian and Prussian armies during the Sixth Coalition.
On January 29, 1814, during the War of the Sixth Coalition, Napoleon’s army clashes with a combined Russian and Prussian force at Brienne-le-Château. The French achieve a tactical success, temporarily delaying the Coalition’s advance on Paris. The battle showcases Napoleon’s enduring strategic skill despite waning resources. However, the victory is short-lived as overwhelming Coalition numbers press ahead. Brienne underscores the deteriorating position of the French Empire in the face of united European powers. It foreshadows the decisive battles that will soon lead to Napoleon’s abdication. The confrontation at Brienne is remembered for its display of bravery and tactical ingenuity amid declining fortunes.
1814 War of the Sixth Coalition Prussia Battle of Brienne
1819day.year

Stamford Raffles lands on the island of Singapore.

In 1819, Stamford Raffles lands on Singapore, laying the foundations for British colonial rule.
On January 29, 1819, British statesman Sir Stamford Raffles touches down on the island of Singapore. Recognizing its strategic position along the Strait of Malacca, he negotiates a treaty with local rulers to establish a trading post. This pivotal move initiates Singapore’s transformation into a key port in the British Empire. Raffles envisions the island as a free port, attracting merchants and settlers from across Asia. His plans lay the groundwork for Singapore’s rapid economic growth and multicultural society. The landing marks the beginning of colonial administration that will shape the region’s history. Raffles’s vision endures in Singapore’s status as a global trading hub.
1819 Stamford Raffles Singapore
1845day.year

"The Raven" is published in The Evening Mirror in New York, the first publication with the name of the author, Edgar Allan Poe.

On January 29, 1845, Edgar Allan Poe’s poem "The Raven" is first published with his name in The Evening Mirror.
Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting poem "The Raven" appears in The Evening Mirror in New York, marking the first time his name is printed alongside the text. The poem’s melancholic refrain and gothic imagery captivate readers, cementing Poe’s reputation as a master of macabre verse. "The Raven" explores themes of loss, longing, and the supernatural through the lens of a sorrowful narrator. Its rhythmic meter and internal rhymes showcase Poe’s poetic innovation. The publication propels Poe to widespread fame, influencing future literary movements. Critics and readers alike are enthralled by the poem’s dark beauty and emotional depth. "The Raven" remains one of the most celebrated works in American literature.
1845 The Raven The Evening Mirror Edgar Allan Poe
1850day.year

Henry Clay introduces the Compromise of 1850 to the U.S. Congress.

In 1850, Senator Henry Clay presents the Compromise of 1850 to Congress in an effort to ease sectional tensions.
On January 29, 1850, Senator Henry Clay delivers his influential 'Omnibus Bill' to the U.S. Congress, seeking to quell growing conflicts between slave and free states. The Compromise comprises five separate laws addressing the status of territories acquired during the Mexican-American War. Key provisions include admitting California as a free state and enacting a stricter Fugitive Slave Law. Clay’s plan aims to maintain the fragile union by balancing regional interests. The debate is intense, reflecting the nation’s deep divisions over slavery. While the Compromise temporarily postpones civil war, it fails to resolve fundamental disagreements. The measures shape American politics and foreshadow the coming conflict that will erupt in 1861.
1850 Henry Clay Compromise of 1850 U.S. Congress
1856day.year

Queen Victoria issues a Warrant under the Royal sign-manual that establishes the Victoria Cross to recognise acts of valour by British military personnel during the Crimean War.

Queen Victoria establishes the Victoria Cross in 1856 to honour extraordinary bravery by British soldiers.
On January 29, 1856, Queen Victoria signs a royal warrant creating the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valor in the British armed forces. Inspired by acts of gallantry during the Crimean War, the new medal recognizes personal courage regardless of rank. The decoration is designed to be simple, made from bronze cannons captured at Sevastopol. It symbolizes national gratitude and the ideal of merit-based recognition. Since its inception, the Victoria Cross has been awarded sparingly for the most outstanding acts of bravery. Recipients are celebrated in British history and military tradition. The establishment of the Victoria Cross marks a significant moment in military honors and British culture.
1856 Queen Victoria Warrant Royal sign-manual Victoria Cross British Crimean War
1861day.year

Kansas is admitted as the 34th U.S. state.

On January 29, 1861, Kansas joins the Union as the 34th state after years of sectional strife.
Kansas enters the United States as the 34th state, bringing an end to a tumultuous period known as 'Bleeding Kansas.' Rival factions of pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers clashed violently over the territory’s future. Kansas’s admission as a free state is a victory for abolitionist forces and inflames tensions with Southern states. The event underscores the irreconcilable divisions over slavery. Kansas’s statehood accelerates the path toward civil war, which will erupt later that year. The new state’s Constitution enshrines freedom but also highlights the limits of compromise. Kansas’s admission is both a milestone for anti-slavery advocates and a harbinger of national conflict.
1861 Kansas U.S. state
1863day.year

The Bear River Massacre: A detachment of California Volunteers led by Colonel Patrick Edward Connor engage the Shoshone at Bear River, Washington Territory, killing hundreds of men, women and children.

The Bear River Massacre occurs in 1863 when U.S. forces attack a Shoshone encampment, resulting in heavy casualties.
On January 29, 1863, Colonel Patrick Edward Connor leads California Volunteers in a dawn assault against a Shoshone village at Bear River in present-day Idaho. The surprise attack kills an estimated 200 to 400 Shoshone men, women, and children. The incident is one of the deadliest in the American Indian Wars and reflects the brutal nature of frontier conflicts. U.S. authorities describe the operation as a military necessity, while Native American accounts emphasize the massacre of non-combatants. The event deepens mistrust and animosity between Native tribes and settlers. Bear River becomes a symbol of the tragic consequences of westward expansion. Its legacy prompts later reflection on U.S. policies toward Indigenous peoples.
1863 Bear River Massacre California Volunteers Patrick Edward Connor Shoshone Bear River Washington Territory
1886day.year

Karl Benz patents the first successful gasoline-driven automobile.

In 1886, Karl Benz receives a patent for the world’s first practical gasoline-powered automobile.
On January 29, 1886, German inventor Karl Benz is granted a patent (DRP 37435) for his Motorwagen, the first true automobile powered by an internal combustion engine. The vehicle features a single-cylinder four-stroke engine and innovative components such as a differential and electric ignition. Benz’s invention revolutionizes personal transportation and lays the foundation for the modern automotive industry. His patent marks a shift from steam and electric prototypes to the dominant gasoline-powered design. Automakers around the world soon adopt and refine Benz’s concepts. By transforming mobility and industry, the Motorwagen accelerates urban development and economic growth. Karl Benz’s patent is celebrated as a milestone in engineering history.
1886 Karl Benz gasoline
1891day.year

Liliʻuokalani is proclaimed the last monarch and only queen regnant of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

On January 29, 1891, Liliʻuokalani ascended the Hawaiian throne as the final monarch and only reigning queen of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
On January 29, 1891, following the death of King Kalākaua, Liliʻuokalani was declared the sovereign of the Hawaiian Kingdom. She became the only queen regnant in the archipelago's history, inheriting a monarchy fraught with political division. A talented composer and diplomat, she sought to strengthen the monarchy and protect Hawaiian lands and rights. Liliʻuokalani proposed a new constitution to restore royal prerogatives and curb the influence of wealthy foreign residents. Her reform efforts, however, alarmed American and European sugar planters in Hawaii. This escalating tension culminated in the 1893 overthrow of the monarchy by a group backed by the United States. Liliʻuokalani spent the rest of her life advocating for her people's rights and remains a symbol of Hawaiian sovereignty.
1891 Liliʻuokalani queen regnant Kingdom of Hawaii
1907day.year

Charles Curtis of Kansas becomes the first Native American U.S. Senator.

In 1907, Charles Curtis of Kansas became the first Native American to serve in the United States Senate.
On January 29, 1907, Republican Charles Curtis, a member of the Kaw Nation, was sworn in as a U.S. Senator from Kansas. His election marked a historic milestone as he became the first person of Native American descent to serve in the U.S. Senate. Curtis had previously served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Known for his legislative skills and advocacy for western development, he later rose to become Vice President under Herbert Hoover. Throughout his career, Curtis balanced his federal duties with advocacy for Native American issues, though his record remains complex. His pioneering achievements paved the way for greater Native American representation in federal government.
1907 Charles Curtis Kansas U.S. Senator