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On this day in history - November 29

What Happened On This Day – November 29

  • 1972 Atari Releases Pong

    One of the very first arcade games to hit the market, Pong was a 1 or 2 player video game similar to tennis, where the goal is to use a paddle to hit a ball. Around 35000 Pong consoles were sold around the world.

  • 1951 Silent Coup in Thailand

    The Thai military took over the country's governance and reinstated the 1932 Constitution.

  • 1929 First flight over the South Pole

    American explorer Richard Byrd became the first person to fly over the South Pole. The flight took just over 18 hours. 3 years ago, Byrd flew over the North Pole, though there is some debate whether he actually accomplished the feat.

  • 1899 FC Barcelona founded

    The popular football (soccer) club was founded by footballer Hans Gamper. Informally known as Barça, the club is thought to be one of the top 5 richest football clubs in the world. The club has won 4 European Cups (1978-79, 1981-82, 1988-89, 1996-97) and is a 5 time Champions League winner (1991-92, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2014-15).

  • 1777 City of San Jose Founded

    The first city to be settled in California, San Jose was founded as San José de Guadalupe. Before the Spanish settled in the city, the area was inhabitated by the Ohlone people. San Jose was the first capital of the state of California, which was established in 1850.

Illustration of stork, signifying birth

Births On This Day,
November 29

  • 1969 Mariano Rivera

    Panamanian baseball player

  • 1964 Don Cheadle

    American actor, producer

  • 1932 Jacques Chirac

    French politician, 22nd President of France

  • 1898 C. S. Lewis

    Irish author, poet

  • 1835 Empress Dowager Cixi

    of China

Illustration of tombstone, signifying death

Deaths On This Day,
November 29

  • 2001 George Harrison

    English singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer

  • 1975 Graham Hill

    English race car driver

  • 1780 Maria Theresa

    Austrian wife of Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor

  • 1682 Prince Rupert of the Rhine

  • 1632 Frederick V, Elector Palatine

    Bohemian king