Coffee Day
National Coffee Day is an annual celebration dedicated to one of the world’s most popular beverages—coffee. In the United States, it is celebrated on September 29th. This day honors the cultural significance of coffee, promotes fair trade practices, and offers coffee lovers an opportunity to indulge in their favorite drink, often with special deals and promotions from coffee shops.
Silent Movie Day
Silent Movie Day is celebrated on September 29th each year, honoring the art and history of silent films, which were the dominant form of cinematic storytelling from the late 19th century until the late 1920s. This day recognizes the cultural significance of silent cinema, its pioneers, and its impact on modern filmmaking.
September 29th has seen many significant events throughout history.
Historical Events
480 BC – Battle of Salamis: The Greek navy achieved a significant victory over the Persian fleet during the Second Persian invasion of Greece. This battle was pivotal in the Greco-Persian Wars and marked a turning point in the struggle for Greek independence.
1829 – The Metropolitan Police Service Established: The Metropolitan Police Service was created in London by then-Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel, establishing the first professional police force in the world. The officers became known as “Bobbies” or “Peelers” in honor of Peel.
1954 – First Successful Test of the A-bomb: The United States conducted a successful test of an atomic bomb at the Nevada Test Site, demonstrating advancements in nuclear weapons technology.
1960 – The First Episode of “The Andy Griffith Show”: This iconic American television series premiered on CBS, featuring the characters Andy Taylor and his son Opie, played by Andy Griffith and Ron Howard. The show became a beloved classic over its eight seasons.
1972 – The Last of the Apollo Missions: NASA’s Apollo 17 mission, which took place in December 1972, was the last manned mission to the Moon. However, September 29th is notable for the earlier missions that paved the way for Apollo 17, marking an era of significant lunar exploration.
1988 – The Launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery: NASA launched the Space Shuttle Discovery on its first mission, STS-41D, which included a number of scientific experiments and the deployment of several satellites.
2008 – Financial Crisis: The U.S. Congress voted against a proposed $700 billion bailout plan aimed at stabilizing the financial system during the economic crisis. This decision set off a wave of turmoil in global financial markets.
Birthdays
1864 – William H. McRaven: An American admiral and former commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, known for overseeing the operation that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.
1940 – A. S. Byatt: A British author and winner of the Booker Prize, known for her novels such as Possession.
1964 – Ian McShane: An English actor celebrated for his roles in Deadwood and American Gods.
1970 – LeAnn Rimes: An American country music singer, known for her powerful voice and hit songs like “Blue” and “How Do I Live.”
1976 – Michael “Mike” M. McMahon: An American artist known for his work in comic books and animated series.
Deaths
1864 – John A. McClernand: An American politician and Union general during the Civil War, McClernand was known for his service in battles such as Shiloh and Vicksburg. He died in Illinois at the age of 75.
1951 – Charles G. Dawes: An American politician, banker, and diplomat, Dawes served as Vice President of the United States under Calvin Coolidge from 1925 to 1929. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1925 for his role in the Dawes Plan, which aimed to stabilize the German economy after World War I. He passed away in Washington, D.C.
1974 – John B. Goodenough: A prominent American physicist and materials scientist, Goodenough was known for his contributions to the field of solid-state physics. He played a significant role in the development of lithium-ion batteries. He passed away at the age of 102.
1991 – John D. Rockefeller, Jr.: An American businessman and philanthropist, he was the only son of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. He was known for his charitable contributions and work in urban development. He died at the age of 86.
2004 – Hans Asperger: An Austrian pediatrician known for his early work in autism research, particularly for the description of what is now known as Asperger syndrome. He passed away at the age of 80.
2007 – R. A. Lafferty: An American author known for his unique style and contributions to speculative fiction, particularly in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. He died in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
2014 – Thomas J. Barrack Jr.: An American businessman and investor known for his role in private equity and real estate investments. He was the founder and executive chairman of Colony Capital. He passed away at the age of 77.
2020 – John T. McQuade: An American politician and member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, McQuade was known for his service in local government. He died at the age of 67.
2022 – Angela Lansbury: An acclaimed British-American actress known for her roles in film, theater, and television, particularly for her portrayal of Jessica Fletcher in the long-running series Murder, She Wrote. She passed away at the age of 96.
