Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
November 29 Sunday, November 29, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on November 29 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
5
Holidays
1945
Politics 81 years ago
The Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia is declared.
Josip Broz Tito proclaims the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia in Belgrade, formally establishing a communist state in the Balkans.
History
What happened on November 29
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 528Disaster
Antioch suffers its second major earthquake in two years, killing thousands and destroying its remaining edifice.
An earthquake strikes Antioch, killing thousands and devastating the city just two years after a previous major quake.
- 561Royalty
Following the death of King Chlothar I at Compiègne, his four sons, Charibert I, Guntram, Sigebert I and Chilperic I, divide the Frankish Kingdom.
The Frankish Kingdom is divided among King Chlothar I's four sons: Charibert I, Guntram, Sigebert I, and Chilperic I.
- 618War
The Tang dynasty scores a decisive victory over their rival Xue Rengao at the Battle of Qianshuiyuan.
The Tang dynasty defeats Xue Rengao's forces in the Battle of Qianshuiyuan, securing control over Henan province.
- 903War
The Abbasid army under Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Katib defeats the Qarmatians at the Battle of Hama.
The Abbasid army under Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Katib defeats the Qarmatians in a significant battle.
- 1114World history
A large earthquake damages the areas of the Crusaders in the Middle East. Antioch, Mamistra, Marash and Edessa are hit by the shocks.
A powerful earthquake strikes regions occupied by the Crusaders, damaging cities including Antioch, Mamistra, Marash, and Edessa.
- 1549Religion
The papal conclave of 1549-50 begins.
The papal conclave begins in Rome, lasting nearly three months before electing Cardinal Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte as Pope Julius III.
- 1612UK history
The Battle of Swally takes place, which loosens the Portuguese Empire's hold on India.
The Battle of Swally challenges Portuguese control over Indian trade routes.
- 1732Disaster
The magnitude 6.6 Irpinia earthquake causes 1,940 deaths in the former Kingdom of Naples, southern Italy.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake strikes Irpinia, causing 1,940 deaths in southern Italy.
- 1776US history
During the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia, comes to an end with the arrival of British reinforcements.
British reinforcements arrive at Fort Cumberland in Nova Scotia, ending a siege by rebel forces during the American Revolutionary War.
- 1864US history
Colorado War: Colorado volunteers led by Colonel John Chivington massacre at least 150 Cheyenne and Arapaho noncombatants at Sand Creek inside Colorado Territory.
Colorado volunteers under Colonel John Chivington attack a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho village at Sand Creek, killing over 150 people.
- 1877Technology
Thomas Edison demonstrates his phonograph for the first time.
Thomas Edison demonstrates his invention of the phonograph, a device capable of recording and playing back sound.
- 1945Politics
The Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia is declared.
Josip Broz Tito proclaims the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia in Belgrade, formally establishing a communist state in the Balkans.
Born today
Famous birthdays on November 29
7 this date All birthdays
Merle Travis
American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Merle Travis, American country and western singer-songwriter whose songs often depicted the lives of coal miners and who was known for "Sixteen Tons" and his distinctive fingerpicking style, was born in 1917 (died 1983).
Born
1917
Died
1983
Gaetano Donizetti
Italian composer
1797 – 1848
George Brown
Scottish-Canadian journalist and politician, 10th Premier of West Canada
1818 – 1880
James Rosenquist
American painter and illustrator
1933 – 2017
Mariano Rivera
Panamanian-American baseball player
b. 1969 · 57
The Game
American rapper
b. 1979 · 47
Siobhan-Marie O'Connor
English swimmer
b. 1995 · 31
Music
The number one songs on November 29
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2025"The Fate of Ophelia"— Taylor Swift
- 2024"That's So True"— Gracie Abrams
- 2023"Lovin on Me"— Jack Harlow
- 2022"Anti-Hero"— Taylor Swift
- 2021"Easy on Me"— Adele
- 2020"Positions"— Ariana Grande
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport November 29, 1899
FC Barcelona is founded by Catalan, Spanish and Englishmen. It later develops into one of Spanish and world football's most iconic and strongest teams.
FC Barcelona is founded by a mix of Catalan, Spanish, and English football enthusiasts, later becoming one of the world’s most iconic clubs.
Read the story
🔬 Science November 29, 1877
Thomas Edison demonstrates his phonograph for the first time.
Thomas Edison demonstrates his invention of the phonograph, a device capable of recording and playing back sound.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (United Nations)
International
The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is a UN-organized observance
Liberation Day or Dita e Çlirimit (Albania)
International
Liberation Day in Albania is commemorated as the day, November 29, 1944, in which the country was liberated from Nazi Germany forces by the Albanian resistance during World War II
Republic Day (Yugoslavia)
International
Republic Day is the name of a holiday in several countries to commemorate the day when they became republics
Unity Day (Vanuatu)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Vanuatu
William Tubman's Birthday (Liberia)
International
The following are public holidays in Liberia
❝
Sixteen tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt.
— Merle Travis · born November 29, 1917