Jesse James, Joan of Arc, Adolf Hitler, and Aretha Franklin … all of these people have April 29th in common. On this date in history, each of these people experienced a pivotal moment in their lives.
These events … and others that happened on April 29 … live on in our memories and our history books. Let’s see why.
1429 – Joan of Arc Rode into Orleans Waving a Banner
Joan of Arc was in her mid-teens when she began experiencing divine visions instructing her to play a role in the Hundred Years’ War, which was fought between the French and the English. She was so convincing and passionate that she motivated the French Army. From mid-October 1428, the English besieged the crucial city of Orleans. The French soldiers were losing hope.
On April 29, 1429, Joan of Arc rode into Orleans waving a French banner. Her actions rallied the French soldiers to increase their fighting. Nine days later, on May 8, 1429, the English gave up the siege. The French victory was a turning point in the war … and led to Charles VII ascension to the French throne. Things didn’t turn out quite so well for Joan.
1852 – Peter Roget Published his Thesaurus
Students, journalists, and writers alike were delighted, overjoyed, thrilled, gladdened, elated, pleased, and ecstatic when Peter Mark Roget published his first edition of Roget’s Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases on April 29. 1852. The British lexicographer … who was also a physician, theologian, and naturalist … has a love of language and the urge to organize and classify words.
Roget spent years collecting words and phrases and linking them to ones with similar meanings. Today’s Roget’s Thesaurus is frequently updated to keep pace with the evolving language but remains the go-to reference guide for people hoping to boost their vocabulary.
1967 – Aretha Franklin Released “Respect”
On April 29, 1967, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, released her signature song, “Respect.” The catchy tune became Billboard’s Song of the Year for 1967. Although the song was written by Oris Redding, it served as a theme song for the women’s rights movement of the 1960s.
In her powerful and distinctive voice, Franklin inspired her fans to demand “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” from others, value their self-worth, and maintain a high level of confidence. “Respect” is one of the most beloved classic songs from the early days of rock ‘n roll and one with timeless appeal.
1992 – The Rodney King Riots Broke Out
An eyewitness with a camcorder shot a video of four white Los Angeles police officers brutally beating an African American truck driver named Rodney King. Despite video evidence, the four officers were found not-guilty of police brutality on April 29, 1992. When the verdict was read, the Black community of Los Angeles were outraged.
Rioting broke out in the streets of LA as frustrated citizens sought to make their feelings known. The riots lasted for six days. There was looting, vandalism, clashes with police officers, arson, and widespread violence. More than 60 people were killed and numerous businesses were destroyed.
1945 – Adolf Hitler’s Wedding Day
Adolf Hitler had a long-time relationship with Eva Braun, a native of Munich. But as World War II drew to a close, it was clear that things weren’t going as Hitler had planned. Just after midnight on April 29, 1945, Hitler and Braun were married in a small civil ceremony. Their “death do us part,” however, came quickly.
The day after their wedding, as the Red Army was closing in, the newlyweds committed suicide. Braun bit down on a cyanide pill. Hitler shot himself in the head. Hitler was 56 years old. His bride was just 33.
1937 – The Golden Rivet Completed the Golden Gate Bridge
The final rivet was pounded into San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. In keeping with the theme, this final rivet was a golden one. It was driven into place on April 29, 1937, marking the completion of the iconic structure that spans the Golden Gate Strait.
The golden rivet, however, was merely a symbolic one created for the photo opportunity. It was very quickly replaced by a stronger, more durable rivet, just like the other 600,000-plus rivets that hold the picturesque orange bridge together.
1872 – Jesse James and His Gang Targeted a Kentucky Bank
Jesse James and his gang of outlaws pulled off robberies in several states, including Kentucky. On April 29, 1872, the James Gang struck the Deposit Bank in Columbia, Kentucky. During the bank robbery, which netted the bandits more than $1,500, one of the outlaws shot and killed a defiant banker who refused to unlock the safe.
James and his gang members had arrived in Columbia, Kentucky, days earlier. They checked into a boarding house and told people they were livestock buyers. The five outlaws spent their days riding around the community. They allowed the townsfolk to believe they were looking for cattle, but in reality, they were scouting the best exit routes out of the town.
1975 – Saigon Was Evacuated Via Helicopter Airlift
Dutch photojournalist Hubert van Es snapped a famous photo of the helicopter airlift in Saigon on April 29, 1975. As the war raged on, the United States military pulled out of Saigon and put plans in place to evacuate the South Vietnamese citizens who were employed by the U.S. government.
The rocket fire, however, damaged the runways, making it impossible to land evacuation planes. Plan B was to evacuate the workers via helicopters. Operation Frequent Wind saw more than 4,000 Vietnamese and nearly 400 Americans were shuttled out of Saigon on helicopters that landed on the rooftop. The next day, Saigon fell.
1903 – A Rockslide Buried a Canadian Mining Town
At 4:10 a.m. on the morning of April 29, 1903, the small mining town of Frank, Alberta, was buried under rubble when more than 120 million short tons of limestone piled up at the coal mines on Turtle Mountain suddenly gave way. The Frank Slide killed as many as 90 residents of the town’s 200 residents.
The survivors report that it took only about a minute and a half for the rocks to slide down the side of Turtle Mountain. The Frank Slide remains one of Canada’s largest and deadliest landslides.
