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May 2025
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On This Day 4 mins Read

May 29: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Did you know that on this day, May 29, 1999, the Space Shuttle Discovery became the first to dock with the International Space Station?

Fact Checked Human Written Verified Sources Regularly Updated

May 29th celebrates Paper Clip Day as well as Put A Pillow On Your Fridge Day.

Welcome to day 149 of the year folks, there are 216 days left in 2025.

Learn the facts about what happened on this day throughout history, including important events & fun happenings that occurred today.

Did you know that on this day, May 29, 1999, the Space Shuttle Discovery became the first to dock with the International Space Station? This was the Space Shuttle program’s second ISS mission.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about May 29th in history!

Historical Events

What memorable events happened on May 29 in history? Keep reading to find out!

Transgender became no longer classified as a mental health illness by the World Health Organization.

Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko faked his own death.

The media reported that Arkady had been assassinated on his way home to his Kyiv apartment. He appeared on a live Ukrainian television at a press conference the next day. The staged death was intended to expose Russian agents.

Starbucks closed over 8,000 US stores.

OTD in 2018: Starbucks closed over 8

The temporary closures were to make time for racial bias training – training 175,000 employees. The training session was not mandatory but encouraged.

Jurassic World, directed by Colin Trevorrow, premiered in Paris.

In the Super Rugby Final at Orlando Stadium, the Bulls defended their title with a 25-17 win over the Stormers in an all-South African final.

France voted against ratifying the proposed Constitution of the European Union.

The World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C, dedicated by President George W. Bush.

OTD in 2004: The World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington

The Space Shuttle Discovery completed the first docking with the International Space Station.

The people of Los Angeles elected Tom Bradley as their first Black mayor.

Bradley, the second-ever Black mayor of a major US city, remained in office for twenty years. When he retired in 1993, he was ranked as one of the top ten mayors in US history.

Manchester United became the first English football team to win the European Cup.

Jan Matzeliger gave a public demonstration about his shoe-producing invention in Lynn, Massachusetts.

OTD in 1885: Jan Matzeliger gave a public demonstration about his shoe-producing invention in Lynn

Matzeliger had invented a machine that could mass-produce shoes. During his demonstration, he produced 75 pairs of shoes which was much higher than possible by hand workers.

Black women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth gave her famous speech “Ain’t I A Woman?” at the Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio.

Truth was the first black lady to publicly address that there should be equal rights for black women and men. She dedicated her life to fighting for equal rights and is known as one of the most influential black women orators of the 19th Century.

Wisconsin became the 30th state to join the United States of America.

Rhode Island became the thirteenth colony to enter the Union after the United States Constitution’s ratification.

Philip VI was coronated and became King of France.

OTD in 1328: Philip VI was coronated and became King of France.

Philip, also known as the fortunate king, was the first King of France from the House of Valois. He reigned France until his death in 1350.

Famous Births

Is today your birthday? If so, you share the same birthday with Noel Gallagher. Here are a few other famous people born on this day.

1917

John F. Kennedy

American President

Died On

Nov 22, 1963 (Age 46)

Born IN

Massachusetts, USA

1975

Mel B

English Singer

Age

50 years old

Born IN

England, UK

1967

Noel Gallagher

English Singer

Age

58 years old

Born IN

England, UK

1989

Brandon Mychal Smith

American Actor

Age

36 years old

Born IN

California, USA

Birthday & Zodiac

Everyone who was born on May 29th shares the star sign of Gemini.

Life with a Gemini is rarely dull. Geminis get bored easily, and they don’t like it, so they’ll go out of their way to cure this boredom and find some new and interesting ideas to explore.

All those born in the month of May have the Emerald birthstone. The emerald is associated with fertility, love, and rebirth and provides wisdom, growth, and patience.

For people born on May 29, your estimated date of conception falls on September 5 in the previous year.

A baby that is conceived on May 29th, 2025, will be due next year around February 19th.

Quotes

What is your favorite quote from May 29th? Here are the most noteworthy quotes said on this day in history.

2021

“I find it difficult being outside. I don’t mind when it turns into black night, but once the hours of dusk come, I get very anxious.”

Sinéad O’Connor

(Irish Singer)

1935

“Absence is the highest form of presence.”

James Joyce

(Irish Novelist)

1920

“All life is just a progression toward, and then a recession from, one phrase – ‘I love you.’”

F. Scott Fitzgerald

(American Novelist)

Special Holidays

Are you looking for something to do today? Then why not find time today to celebrate the following special holidays.

United States

National Paper Clip Day

Paperclips are so handy and versatile that the first patent for one was actually to clip paper to fabric, not for holding paper together! Celebrate today by learning new uses for this humble invention; we’re sure there are some that you don’t know yet!

United States

Put A Pillow On Your Fridge Day

This time-honored tradition goes back hundreds of years and is widely celebrated for bringing about good luck and prosperity. So grab yourself a piece of that good fortune by placing your pillow on top of your fridge. If there’s no room, inside your fridge also works!

Fact Of The Day

Days Until

Your countdown to 2025's upcoming special days!

  • Flag Day

    16 days

  • Juneteenth

    21 days

  • Independence Day

    36 days

  • Halloween

    155 days

  • Christmas Day

    210 days

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About The Author

Luke Ward
Owner

Luke Ward is the owner of FactstoryHub. He has over 14 years of experience in researching, informative writing, fact-checking, SEO & web design. In his spare time, he loves to explore the world, drink coffee & attend trivia nights.

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