Today in History – April 29: Peace, Protests, and Royal Weddings
April 29 is a day when battles ended, justice was demanded, and millions tuned in to a royal celebration. From war to peace and from the streets to the altar, this date reflects the power of public moments.
Let’s explore what happened on April 29 throughout history.
1945 – American Troops Liberate Dachau Concentration Camp
On April 29, 1945, U.S. forces liberated the Dachau concentration camp near Munich, Germany. It was the first Nazi concentration camp, opened in 1933, and held over 200,000 prisoners during its operation.
The liberation of Dachau revealed the full horrors of the Holocaust to Allied soldiers and became a turning point in documenting Nazi crimes.
1992 – Los Angeles Riots Erupt After Rodney King Verdict
Violence broke out in Los Angeles, California, on April 29, 1992, after four LAPD officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King, an African American motorist whose brutal arrest had been captured on video.
The verdict sparked six days of rioting, resulting in 63 deaths, over 2,000 injuries, and widespread property damage. The riots forced a national reckoning on police brutality and racial injustice.
1945 – Adolf Hitler Marries Eva Braun
As Soviet forces closed in on Berlin, Adolf Hitler married his longtime companion, Eva Braun, in the Führerbunker on April 29, 1945. Less than 40 hours later, the couple would die by suicide.
The marriage was one of Hitler’s final acts before the collapse of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe.
1975 – U.S. Begins Evacuation of Saigon
On April 29, 1975, the United States launched Operation Frequent Wind, the final evacuation of Americans and South Vietnamese allies from Saigon as North Vietnamese forces approached the city.
Iconic images of helicopters lifting people from rooftops marked the end of the Vietnam War, as Saigon would fall the next day and be renamed Ho Chi Minh City.
2011 – Prince William Marries Kate Middleton
On April 29, 2011, Prince William and Catherine Middleton were married in a globally televised ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London.
An estimated 2 billion people watched the event, which blended British tradition with modern celebrity. The royal wedding sparked renewed interest in the British monarchy worldwide.
Famous Birthdays on April 29
Duke Ellington (1899) – American jazz legend
A composer, pianist, and bandleader, Ellington helped elevate jazz to high art and left an enduring legacy in American music.
Andre Agassi (1970) – American tennis champion
Known for his powerful game and dramatic comebacks, Agassi won eight Grand Slam titles and helped redefine the sport’s image in the 1990s.
Michelle Pfeiffer (1958) – American actress
Renowned for her performances in Scarface, Dangerous Liaisons, and Batman Returns, Pfeiffer remains a Hollywood icon.
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