Throwback Thursday 12/29 and Happy New Year from FactCite!

by Adam Gall

Here's what happened on December 29th!

  • 1429: Joan of Arc was raised to the rank of nobility for her services to France. This honor meant little to her because she believed her mission was inspired by God, and earthly rewards were insignificant.
    (Shapers of Society)
  • 1800: Charles Goodyear was born in New Haven, Connecticut. The American inventor never found success in his lifetime, but his discoveries led to the creation of the modern rubber industry. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is named for Charles as a tribute to his invention of the process to vulcanize rubber.
    (Biography for Beginners, World Biography, American History)
  • 1808: Andrew Johnson, 17th President of the United States, was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. Johnson came from the poorest background of any U.S. President. He became President following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
    (Biography for Beginners, World Biography, Defining Moments)
  • 1845: Texas became the 28th U.S. state. This caused Mexico to cut off diplomatic relations with the United States, ultimately starting the Mexican War (1846-48).
    (American History)
  • 1890: The Wounded Knee Massacre took place. The tragedy resulted in 250-300 Indian men, women, and children being killed at the hands of the U.S. Army’s Seventh Cavalry. Read an Indian witness’s recollection of that day here, or about the search for survivors here.
    (Defining Moments)
  • 1910: Mildred Jeffrey was born in Alton, Iowa. The women’s rights activist and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree once said, “My underlying goal was always to empower women. Get them to learn their rights, and to exercise them!”
    (World Biography, American History)
  • 1917: Tom Bradley was born in Calvert, Texas. He was the first black mayor of Los Angeles and is considered one of the most successful African-American political leaders of his era.
    (Defining Moments)
  • 1936: Raymond Ernest Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois. The sturdy middle linebacker starred with the Packers for 15 seasons and was the last remaining member of Vince Lombardi’s first team at Green Bay. He once said “football is more mental than physical, no matter how it looks from the stands.”
    (Sports Champions)
  • 1992: The first bombing attributed to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda occurred. The attack was on a hotel in Aden, Yemen, where U.S. troops were staying. 
    (World Biography)
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