January 29

Events - Politics & Government

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
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
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
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
1989day.year

Cold War: Hungary establishes diplomatic relations with South Korea, making it the first Eastern Bloc nation to do so.

Hungary became the first Eastern Bloc nation to establish diplomatic ties with South Korea.
On January 29, 1989, Hungary formally established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea, breaking from the Soviet-aligned Eastern Bloc’s diplomatic stance. This groundbreaking move reflected Hungary’s growing openness to Western economies and political systems. The agreement covered mutual embassies, trade cooperation, and cultural exchanges. It signaled the beginning of thawing relations during the late Cold War period. Hungary’s initiative paved the way for other Eastern European countries to follow suit later that year.
1989 Cold War Hungary establishes diplomatic relations with South Korea Eastern Bloc
1996day.year

President Jacques Chirac announces a "definitive end" to French nuclear weapons testing.

President Jacques Chirac declared a definitive end to France’s nuclear weapons testing program.
On January 29, 1996, French President Jacques Chirac announced that France would cease all atmospheric and underground nuclear tests. The declaration followed domestic and international pressure over environmental and health concerns. It marked a turning point in France’s defense policy and nuclear posture. The moratorium aimed to encourage global nuclear disarmament negotiations. France’s announcement was hailed by environmental groups and helped improve France’s diplomatic relations.
1996 Jacques Chirac nuclear weapons testing
2001day.year

Thousands of student protesters in Indonesia storm parliament and demand that President Abdurrahman Wahid resign due to alleged involvement in corruption scandals.

Indonesian student protesters stormed parliament demanding President Abdurrahman Wahid’s resignation over corruption allegations.
On January 29, 2001, large crowds of Indonesian university students converged on the capital to protest against President Abdurrahman Wahid. Demonstrators accused the president and his administration of involvement in multiple corruption scandals. The protests escalated when students breached the parliamentary compound, forcing a temporary suspension of legislative sessions. The events reflected widespread frustration with political instability and economic hardship. Although Wahid initially resisted calls to step down, the mounting pressure set the stage for his eventual impeachment later that year.
2001 Indonesia President Abdurrahman Wahid
2002day.year

In his State of the Union address, President George W. Bush describes "regimes that sponsor terror" as an Axis of evil, in which he includes Iraq, Iran and North Korea.

President George W. Bush labeled Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as the “Axis of evil” in his State of the Union address.
On January 29, 2002, President George W. Bush delivered his State of the Union address to Congress, coining the term “Axis of evil” for countries he accused of sponsoring terrorism. The speech targeted Iraq, Iran, and North Korea, linking them to global security threats. Bush argued that these regimes posed serious dangers due to their pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. The phrase quickly entered public discourse and shaped U.S. foreign policy in the years that followed. Allies and critics debated the implications of this rhetoric for international diplomacy.
2002 State of the Union address George W. Bush terror Axis of evil Iraq Iran North Korea