Following is a chronological list of notable events that occurred on May 29 throughout history:
1453: Fall of Constantinople
The Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Mehmed II, captured Constantinople after a 55-day siege, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.
1790: Rhode Island Ratifies the U.S. Constitution
Rhode Island became the 13th and final of the original American colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution, completing the formation of the United States under its new federal government.
1914: Sinking of the RMS Empress of Ireland
The Canadian ocean liner RMS Empress of Ireland sank in the St. Lawrence River after colliding with the Norwegian cargo ship SS Storstad, resulting in the deaths of 1,012 of the 1,477 people on board.
1953: First Ascent of Mount Everest
New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.
1977: Janet Guthrie Races in the Indianapolis 500
Janet Guthrie made history as the first woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500, finishing in 29th place.
1985: Heysel Stadium Disaster
During the European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus at Heysel Stadium in Brussels, a wall collapsed amid rioting, leading to the deaths of 39 people and injuries to hundreds.
1988: Reagan-Gorbachev Moscow Summit
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev commenced their fourth summit in Moscow, a significant event in the easing of Cold War tensions.
1999: Space Shuttle Discovery Docks with the ISS
NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery completed the first docking with the International Space Station, marking a milestone in international space cooperation.
2004: Dedication of the National World War II Memorial
The National World War II Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., honoring the 16 million who served in the U.S. armed forces during the war.
2020: Arrest of Derek Chauvin
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was arrested and charged with the murder of George Floyd, an event that sparked global protests against police brutality and systemic racism.
