What Happened On
Sea-Monkeys In Space
October 29, 1998
Astronaut John Glenn takes Sea-Monkey eggs into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. After returning to Earth, they were hatched eight weeks later, apparently unaffected by their voyage. Unfortunately, earlier experiments with Sea-Monkey eggs that traveled to the Moon and back were not so successful, as the higher level of cosmic rays adversely affected the eggs with only 10% surviving to adulthood.
Sea-Monkeys were created and marketed in comic books by Harold von Braunhut, who also marketed X-Ray Specs, among other things.
If Ted Kennedy Drove a Volkswagen, He'd Be President Today
October 29, 1973
Volkswagen settles a lawsuit against the magazine National Lampoon for a piece captioned "If Ted Kennedy drove a Volkswagen, he'd be President today". The article was a satire of a VW ad in reference to the VW's ability to float and the Chappaquiddick incident, in which U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy drove his car off a bridge. He swam to safety; however, his passenger Mary Jo Kopechne drowned in the car. VW sued National Lampoon for $30 million dollars, but settled today for recalling unsold copies, removing the cartoon, and issuing an apology.
Photo Credit: Ed Berman
Photo Credit: Ed Berman
Duane Allman Killed in Motorcycle Crash
October 29, 1971
24-year-old Duane Allman, slide guitarist and leader of the Allman Brothers Band, dies after crashing his motorcycle. Allman was speeding on his motorcycle when he slowed for an oncoming flatbed truck turning left in front of him. Allman veered to the center of the lane to go around the truck, but the truck stopped suddenly and Allman slammed into the weight ball of the crane the truck was carrying causing severe internal injuries. He died later that day during surgery at the hospital.
The Allman Brothers Band had just released their live album, At Fillmore East. It was their breakout album and was their first album to go platinum and is considered one of the greatest live rock albums of all time.
Photo Credit: Daniel Torres, Jr.
Photo Credit: Daniel Torres, Jr.
World's Largest Sapphire Stolen
October 29, 1964
The world's largest sapphire, the "Star of India" measuring 563.35 carats and 2.5 inches in diameter, is stolen along with 22 other gems from the American Museum of Natural History. Thieves unlocked a bathroom window during museum visiting hours and then came back later that night and entered through the window. There they found the only gem protected by an alarm was the Star of India, and its alarm battery was dead. The stolen gems also included the Midnight Star, the DeLong Star Ruby, and the Eagle Diamond. The thieves were arrested two days later, and eventually led authorities to a locker containing the Star of India and several other of the stolen gems.
First U.S. Made Ballpoint Pen
October 29, 1945
It goes on sale at Gimbel's department store. A bargain at $12.50 each, they sold nearly 10,000 the first day.
Black Tuesday - End of the Roaring '20s
October 29, 1929
Stock Market Crash, marking the end of the Roaring '20s and the start of the great depression.
Josephine Baker performing The Charleston
The Charleston
October 29, 1923
A new dance craze starts when the Broadway show Runnin' Wild opens and features a new dance to the tune The Charleston.
Eyser (middle) and his teammates in 1908
Eyser (middle) and his teammates in 1908
One-Legged Gymnast Wins 6 Olympic Medals in One Day
October 29, 1904
German-American gymnast George Eyser wins 6 Olympic medals in a single day. He lost his leg in his youth after being run over by a train and wore a wooden prosthesis. He won 3 gold (parallel bars, long horse vault, and 25-foot rope climb), two silver (pommel horse and 4-event all-around), and one bronze (horizontal bar).
Blind Woman "Sees"
October 29, 1992
After 20 years of blindness, she was able to see dots of light with the aid of electrodes implanted in her brain.
Artist's rendering of Galileo at Io with Jupiter in the background
Artist's rendering of Galileo at Io with Jupiter in the background
First Spacecraft to Explore an Asteroid
October 29, 1991
The U.S. spacecraft Galileo passes by the asteroid Gaspra becoming the first spacecraft to explore an asteroid. It would also encounter the asteroid Ida two years later en route to its destination of Jupiter.
First Black President of the Girl Scouts
October 29, 1975
Dr. Gloria Randle Scott is elected as president of the Girl Scouts of the USA, making her the first black to serve in that capacity. She served for three years. She was also the first African-American to receive a degree in zoology from Indiana University (1959).
National Organization for Women
October 29, 1966
NOW is organized; their goal is true equality for women in America.
First Medal of Freedom Awarded to a Woman
October 29, 1945
Anna Rosenberg, a member of the Advisory Board of the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion, is awarded the honor.
Execution of U.S. President McKinley's Assassin
October 29, 1901
Leon Czolgosz is executed for assassinating U.S. President William McKinley. At his execution he proclaimed, "I killed the President because he was the enemy of the good people - the good working people. I am not sorry for my crime."
Five Founders of the Red Cross
Five Founders of the Red Cross
Red Cross
October 29, 1863
Delegates from fourteen nations, led by Swiss philanthropist Henri Dunant, approve plans for an international organization to help the wounded in time of war.
Birthdays
Winona Ryder (Winona Horowitz)
Born October 29, 1971
American actress. Film: Beetlejuice (1988), Heathers (1989), Mermaids (1990), Edward Scissorhands (1990), and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1993, Dracula's bride).
Randy Jackson
Born October 29, 1961
American singer. One of the lesser-known of Michael Jackson's brothers.
Dan Castellanetta
Born October 29, 1957
Italian-American actor. TV: The Simpsons (voice of Homer, Grampa, Barney, Krusty, and others).
Kate Jackson
Born October 29, 1948
American actress. TV: Charlie's Angels (1976-79, Sabrina Duncan) and Scarecrow and Mrs. King (Mrs. King).
Richard Dreyfuss
Born October 29, 1947
American Oscar-winning actor. Film: American Graffiti (1973), Jaws (1975), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), The Goodbye Girl (1977, Oscar), and Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986).
Photo Credit: Nick contador
Photo Credit: Nick contador
Peter Green (Peter Greenbaum)
Born October 29, 1946 d. 2020
English Hall of Fame guitarist, with Fleetwood Mac. Music: Black Magic Woman (1968) and Albatross (1969, #1 UK).
John Haley "Zoot" Sims
Born October 29, 1925 d. 1985
American saxophonist. He played with Bobby Sherwood, Benny Goodman, and Woody Herman.
Geraldine Brooks (Geraldine Stroock)
Born October 29, 1925 d. 1977
American actress. TV: Bonanza (Adam's mother Elizabeth).
Neal Hefti
Born October 29, 1922 d. 2008
American composer, bandleader. He scored the themes for the films Barefoot in the Park (1967), The Odd Couple (1968), and the TV series Batman (1966).
Joseph Goebbels
Born October 29, 1897 d. 1945
German Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler's propaganda minister. He killed his family and himself when the Allies entered Berlin.
Fanny Brice
Born October 29, 1891 d. 1951
American actress, singer, dancer. She starred in the Ziegfeld Follies (1910-23). She also played Baby Snooks on radio and her life was the basis for the musical Funny Girl (1968).
First Reigning Queen to Visit the US
Marie
Born October 29, 1875 d. 1938
Queen of Rumania (1922-38). She was the first reigning queen to visit the U.S. (1926).
Daniel Decatur Emmett
Born October 29, 1815 d. 1904
American composer. He popularized Dixie (1859), which became the unofficial anthem of the Confederacy. He also formed the first black-face minstrel troupe (1843).
Deaths
KKK Leader - Turned Black Rights Activist
Nathan Bedford Forrest
Died October 29, 1877 b. 1821
American Confederate cavalry commander. Known as "The Wizard of the Saddle" for his cavalry tactics, he is considered the greatest cavalry commander in American history. He led the attack on Fort Pillow, in what became known as the "Fort Pillow Massacre" after his troops reportedly killed over 200 Union soldiers after they surrendered, many of whom were black soldiers who had formerly been slaves.
He was one of the early leaders of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) during the reconstruction period after the American Civil War. However, his attitude towards blacks changed as he grew older, with him renouncing his involvement with the KKK and advocating for black's rights. Much of his change in attitude towards black rights was due to what he considered despicable actions by the KKK, the organization he helped create.
Sir Walter Raleigh
Died October 29, 1618 b. 1552
English colonizer, poet. Popularized tobacco in England. According to legend, he gained favor with Queen Elizabeth I by spreading his coat across a puddle so she wouldn't get her shoes wet. He was executed by King James I for treason after his men attacked a Spanish outpost in violation of peace treaties with Spain.
Teri Garr (Teri Ann Garr)
Died October 29, 2024 b. 1944
American actress. Film: Young Frankenstein (1974), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Tootsie (1982), and Mr. Mom (1983).
She also appeared as a dancer in six Elvis Presley musicals.
Lloyd Bochner
Died October 29, 2005 b. 1924
Canadian actor. TV: Dynasty (1981-88, Cecil Colby) and The Twilight Zone episode "To Serve Man" (1962, the cryptographer trying to decipher the alien text).
Founder of the Hallmark Greeting Card Company
Joyce Clyde Hall
Died October 29, 1982 b. 1891
American businessman, founder of the Hallmark Greeting Card Company (1910). "When you care enough to send the very best."
Photo Credit: Ed Berman
Photo Credit: Ed Berman
Duane Allman
Died October 29, 1971 b. 1946
American slide guitarist, leader of the Allman Brothers Band. In 1969, he and his brother Gregg Allman formed the Allman Brothers Band. Duane also duetted with Eric Clapton for Layla (1970).
Allman died in a motorcycle crash after he crashed into the side of a flatbed truck carrying a crane.
Gustav V
Died October 29, 1950 b. 1858
King of Sweden (1907-50). He maintained Sweden's neutrality during World Wars I and II.
Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnett
Died October 29, 1924 b. 1849
English-born American novelist. Writings: Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886) and The Secret Garden (1911).
Jimmy Ryan (James Edward Ryan)
Died October 29, 1923 b. 1863
American baseball player. He was the first major league baseball player to punch a sports writer (George Bechel, 1892). Ryan is the only major league player to pitch and hit for the cycle (one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run) in the same game (1888).
Joseph Pulitzer
Died October 29, 1911 b. 1847
American publisher. The terms of his will established the Pulitzer Prizes.
Pres. McKinley's Assassin
Leon Frank Czolgosz
Died October 29, 1901 b. 1873
American assassin. He was executed for assassinating U.S. Pres. McKinley (1901). At his execution he proclaimed, "I killed the President because he was the enemy of the good people - the good working people. I am not sorry for my crime."
George B. McClellan (George Brinton McClellan)
Died October 29, 1885 b. 1826
American soldier. McClellan served during the Mexican War (1846-1848), leaving the Army to work in railroads until the outbreak of the Civil War (1861-1865), where he served as commander in chief of the Union Army.
Joel Sweeney (Joel Walker Sweeney)
Died October 29, 1860 b. 1810
Irishman, blackface minstrel performer, credited with popularizing the banjo. When he played it sounded like an entire band, earning him the title "Band Joe." He was the first documented white banjo player.