APRiL 29 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1770 ~ JAMES COOK arrived at and named Botany Bay in Australia on the 29th day of April in 1770.

Official portrait of Captain James Cook by Nathaniel Dance  ~ 1775 (National Maritime Museum, Greenwich)
Official portrait of Captain James Cook by Nathaniel Dance  ~ 1775 (National Maritime Museum, Greenwich)

1899 ~ DUKE ELLiNGTON the American jazz pianist and bandleader was born on the 29th day of April in 1899 (died in 1974 aged 75)

1931LONNiE DONEGAN the British skiffle musician known as the “King of Skiffle” was born on the 29th day of April in 1931 (died in 2002 aged 71). Lonnie Donegan had more than 20 UK Top 30 hits, and The Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums states he was “Britain’s most successful and influential recording artist before The Beatles”. Lonnie had 24 successive Top 30 hits, and was the first UK male to score 2 U.S. Top 10s.

1945 ~ The MARRiAGE of ADOLF HiTLER & EVA BRAUN at the FUEHRERBUNKER was held on the 29th day of April in 1945. The following day, after the wedding both Hitler and Braun committed suicide.

The Führerbunker where Hitler & Eva Braun were married, and also committed suicide the following day (German Federal Archive)
The Führerbunker where Hitler & Eva Braun were married, and also committed suicide the following day (German Federal Archive)
Adolf Hitler & Eva Braun about 2 years before their marriage (Photo: German Federal Archive)
Adolf Hitler & Eva Braun about 2 years before their marriage (Photo: German Federal Archive)

1954JERRY SEiNFELD the American comedian was born on the 29th day of April in 1954.

1958MiCHELLE PFEiFFER the American actress was born on the 29th day of April in 1958.

1961The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) was conceived on the 29th April 1961, under the name of World Wildlife Fund. Official websites: www.WorldWildLife.org & www.WWF.panda.org

1970 ~ UMA THURMAN the American actress was born on the 29th day of April in 1970.

World Organization for the Performing Arts ~ International Dance Day.org
World Organization for the Performing Arts ~ International Dance Day.org

1982 ~ iNTERNATiONAL DANCE DAY was introduced on the 29th day of April in 1982.

International Dance Day.org website
International Dance Day.org website

1983Megan Boone the American actress was born on the 29th April 1983. Megan Boone is best known as the rookie FBI profiler Elizabeth Keen in The Blacklist television series, where she stars opposite James Spader.

1989 ~ FOXES the English singer and songwriter was born Louisa Rose Allen on the 29th April 1989. YouTube video: Clarity (2013) ~ Zedd Union Mix featuring Foxes.. 

2011 ~ The WEDDiNG of PRiNCE WiLLiAM & KATE MiDDLETON took place at 11:00 am on the 29th day of April in 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London. The royal wedding was watched by 1 million people along the route between Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. The ceremony was also viewed live by tens of millions more around the world, including 72 million on the YouTube Royal Channel, and 36.7 million on television in United Kingdom. This wedding day only cost about £20 million.

The Wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton (photo by Robbie Dale from AnOnlineGreenWorld.com)
The Wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton (photo by Robbie Dale from AnOnlineGreenWorld.com)*

*The photo of Prince William and Kate Middleton in the carriage after the marriage is by Robbie Dale from www.AnOnlineGreenWorld.com more of Robbie’s royal pics can be found on AnOnlineGreenWorld’s Flickr Photostream   

Today in History for April 29th ~ video presented by the Associated Press

APRiL 28 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1253 ~ NiCHiREN BUDDHiSM was founded by Nichiren, a Japanese Buddhist monk, who propounded Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for the very first time, declaring it to be the essence of Buddhism on the 28th day of April in 1974.

1686 – Michael Brokoff the Czech sculptor was born on the 28th April 1986 (died 1721).

1855 – José Malhoa the Portuguese painter was born on the 28th April 1955 (died 1933).

1900 – Jan Oort the Dutch astronomer was born on the 28th April 1900 (died 1992).

1916 ~ Ferruccio Lamborghini the Italian businessman and creator of the Lamborghini was born on the 28th April 1916 (died 1993).

1924 – Dick Ayers the American illustrator was born on the 28th April 1924.

1928 – Yves Klein the French painter was born on the 28th April 1928 (died 1962).

1928 – Eugene Merle Shoemaker the American geologist was born on the 28th April 1928 (died 1997).

1937 ~ Saddam Hussein the Iraqi politician and 5th President of Iraq was born on the 28th April 1937 (died 2006).

1948Terry Pratchett the English author was born on the 28th April 1948.

1949STEVE GiLPiN  the New Zealand-born vocalist from the rock band Mi-SEX was born on the 28th April 1949 (died 6 January 1992 age 42).

1949 – Indian Larry the American motorcycle rider and builder was born on the 28th April 1949 (died 2004).

1950JAY LENO the American comedian and talk show host was born on the 28th day of April in 1950.

1952 – Chuck Leavell the American singer-songwriter and keyboard player from The Allman Brothers Band was born on the 28th April 1952.

1953Kim Gordon the American singer-songwriter and guitarist  from Sonic Youth was born on the 28th April 1953.

1955WiLLiAM KENTRiDGE the South African artist was born on the 28th day of April in 1955. William Kentridge is best known for his prints, drawings, and animated films.

1956 ~ JiMMY BARNES the Scottish-Australian singer songwriter and lead singer of COLD CHiSEL was born on the 28th day of April in 1956.

1960 – Phil King the English bass player from Lush and The Jesus and Mary Chain was born on the 28th April 1960.

1968 – Howard Donald the English singer and songwriter from Take That was born on the 28th April 1968.

1968 – Scott Putesky the American guitarist from Marilyn Manson and Jack Off Jill was born on the 28th April 1968.

1971 – Brad McEwan the Australian journalist was born on the 28th April 1971.

1974 ~ PENéLOPE CRUZ the Spanish actress was born on the 28th day of April in 1974.

1989 ~ WORKERS’ MEMORiAL DAY was internationally recognized for the first time on the 28th day of April in 1989. Worker’s Memorial Day takes place annually around the world on April 28, it is an international day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work.

According to the International Labour Organisation across the world:

  • Each year, more than two million women and men die as a result of work-related accidents and diseases
  • Workers suffer approximately 270 million accidents each year, and fall victim to some 160 million incidents of -related illnesses
  • Hazardous substances kill 440,000 workers annually – asbestos claims 100,000 lives
  • One worker dies every 15 seconds worldwide. 6,000 workers die every day. More people die whilst at work than those fighting wars
Workers' Memorial Day poster (United States Department of Labor) featuring Mary Harris Jones
Workers’ Memorial Day poster (United States Department of Labor) featuring Mary Harris Jones

1996 ~ The PORT ARTHUR MASSACRE happened in Tasmania, Australia when Martin Bryant went on a shooting spree, killing 35 people on the 28th day of April in 1996.

2001 ~ Millionaire DENNiS TiTO became the world’s first space tourist on the 28th day of April in 2001.