The 29th of November is nothing short of extraordinary. We know it does not get the recognition it deserves, so, to help alter that, here are some of the most important things you should know about today! If you’re celebrating an occasion of your own today, consider this an extra treat – we’ve also brought together a few famous birthdays at the end of the guide, too.
On this day
1Richard Byrd's expedition flew over the South Pole.
On 29 November 1929, a plane carrying the American explorer Richard Byrd, piloted by Bernt Balchen, became the first to fly over the South Pole, in a round trip of about 19 hours from their Antarctic base.
2The November Uprising started emerging.
In 1830, the November Uprising took place – it was an armed rebellion against Russia’s rule in Poland that many also refer to as the Polish-Russian war. This conflict would rally forward until October 1831, after which tens of thousands of lives were lost on the battlefield.
3Thomas Edison demonstrated the phonograph.
On 29 November 1877, Thomas Edison demonstrated his phonograph, the first machine that could both record sound and play it back. He recorded himself reciting ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ on tinfoil wrapped around a cylinder.
4Schrödinger's cat was born.
On 29 November 1935, the physicist Erwin Schrödinger published a paper including his famous thought experiment, in which a cat in a sealed box is, according to quantum theory, both alive and dead until someone looks. He meant it to show how strange quantum theory becomes when applied to everyday objects.
5Atari released Pong.
On 29 November 1972, Atari released Pong, a simple table-tennis game, as a coin-operated arcade machine. It was the first commercially successful video game, and a home version followed in 1975.
Special Days Falling on November 29th
November 29th serves up more than just interesting historical tidbits, as it’s also a great opportunity to learn more about different cultures and celebrations unfolding the world over. Here are some of the most interesting occasions people are marking worldwide on November 29th.
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
Every 29 November, the anniversary of the 1947 UN vote to partition Palestine, the United Nations marks the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Liberation Day in Albania
On 29 November 1944, the last German troops left Albania, and the country celebrates the date as Liberation Day, a public holiday.
National Lemon Cream Pie Day
Yes, it’s another one of those days on the calendar that has a very specific dessert associated with it! Unsurprisingly, National Lemon Cream Pie Day is all about that classic sweet treat – which some people call lemon meringue in certain corners of the globe. Tricky to master but delicious every time, lemon cream pie is sweet and filling, and well worth celebrating.
This month in history
In 1992, Australia’s Anglican Church first voted to enable women to pursue careers as priests. While the largest diocese actually voted against the bill, iit still received the required two-thirds approval.
Famous Birthdays on November 29th
- John Ray, English naturalist, born 1627
- Louisa May Alcott, American author, born 1832
- CS Lewis, Northern Irish author, born 1898
- Chadwick Boseman, American actor, born 1976
- Russell Wilson, American NFL player, born 1988
If you were born on November 29th…
…you’re a Sagittarius! You’re friendly, open-minded, and very generous. You can also be messy, reckless, and occasionally immature! However, one thing’s for certain – you always know how to make people laugh.
Head over to our Sagittarius facts page to learn more!
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