April 29
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Catherine of Siena(Catholic,LutheranandAnglican Church), Hugh of Cluny, Robert of Molesme, Wilfrid II, April 29 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian feast day honoring several saints including Catherine of Siena, Hugh of Cluny, Robert of Molesme, and Wilfrid II, observed in Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Orthodox traditions.
Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare(United Nations)
An official UN observance dedicated to remembering victims of chemical warfare and promoting its prohibition.
International Dance Day(UNESCO)
UNESCO’s celebration highlighting the art of dance and its cultural significance worldwide.
Shōwa Day, traditionally the start of theGolden Weekholiday period, which is April 29 and May 3–5. (Japan)
Japanese national holiday celebrating the birthday of Emperor Shōwa and marking the start of Golden Week.
Catherine of Siena(Catholic,LutheranandAnglican Church)
Feast day honoring Saint Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century Italian mystic, writer, and Doctor of the Church.
Hugh of Cluny
Feast day commemorating Saint Hugh of Cluny, a key figure in medieval monastic reform.
Robert of Molesme
Feast day honoring Saint Robert of Molesme, founder of the Cistercian Order.
Wilfrid II
Feast day honoring Saint Wilfrid II, an early medieval bishop venerated in Christian traditions.
April 29 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Eastern Orthodox liturgical commemoration of various saints and events on April 29th.
Events
An earthquake in the Central Apennines hits Rome and Spoleto, damaging the basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura.
A powerful earthquake shakes Rome and Spoleto, damaging the basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura.
Battle of Levounion: The Pechenegs are defeated by Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos.
Byzantine forces under Alexios I Komnenos crush the Pechenegs at the Battle of Levounion.
Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orléans.
Joan of Arc arrives at Orléans, marking a turning point in the Hundred Years' War.
Gran Canaria, the main island of the Canary Islands, is conquered by the Kingdom of Castile.
The Kingdom of Castile conquers Gran Canaria, expanding Spanish control in the Canary Islands.
Swedish War of Liberation: Swedish troops defeat a Danish force in the Battle of Västerås.
Swedish rebels claim a crucial victory at the Battle of Västerås during the War of Liberation.
French forces commence the siege of Quebec which is held by the British.
French troops begin the 1760 siege of British-held Quebec during the Seven Years' War.
James Cook arrives in Australia at Botany Bay, which he names.
Captain James Cook lands at Botany Bay on his first voyage to Australia.
American Revolutionary War: British and French ships clash in the Battle of Fort Royal off the coast of Martinique.
British and French fleets clash at the Battle of Fort Royal during the American Revolutionary War.
The galaxy Centaurus A or NGC 5128 is discovered by James Dunlop.
Astronomer James Dunlop discovers the galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128).
Births
William II
German nobleman who served as Landgrave of Hesse from 1493 to 1509 and implemented key administrative reforms.
Sophie of Saxony
Duchess of Pomerania whose marriage forged important dynastic alliances in Northern Europe.
Esaias Reusner
Baroque lute virtuoso and composer whose intricate works remain staples of early German instrumental music.
James Butler
Irish noble and soldier who held the title of Duke of Ormonde and served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
John Arbuthnot
Scottish physician, satirist, and polymath who was a founding member of the Royal Society.
Jean-Georges Noverre
French ballet master and dancer who pioneered the expressive ballet d’action in the 18th century.
Oliver Ellsworth
American Founding Father who served as the third Chief Justice of the United States.
Georg Carl von Döbeln
Swedish general renowned for his leadership and bravery during the Finnish War.
Jean-Baptiste Jourdan
French Revolutionary general who became a Marshal of France and later a government minister.
Deaths
Hugh of Cluny
French Benedictine monk and fourth Abbot of Cluny, influential in monastic reforms.
Catherine of Siena
Italian mystic, philosopher, and Dominican tertiary whose writings influenced church reform.
Thomas Cooper
English bishop and lexicographer known for his scholarly contributions and theological writings.
Agrippa d'Aubigné
French Huguenot soldier and epic poet, famed for his baroque masterpiece Les Tragiques.
John Cleveland
English metaphysical poet renowned for his satirical verse supporting the Royalist cause.
Michiel de Ruyter
Esteemed Dutch admiral celebrated for his strategic brilliance in the Anglo-Dutch Wars.
George Farquhar
Irish-born Restoration playwright and actor celebrated for his witty comedies of manners.
Georg Brandt
Swedish chemist and mineralogist, recognized as the discoverer of cobalt.
Edward Wortley Montagu
English traveler and writer noted for his vivid accounts of Ottoman society and cultural observations.