This Day In History : April 29

1996 United States

TV Land Network Debut

On April 29, 1996, the TV Land Network was launched, offering viewers a channel dedicated to classic television shows. Known for airing beloved series from past decades, TV Land quickly became a favorite among nostalgic audiences. Its debut marked the beginning of a new era in retro television programming.

Also on This Day in History April 29

Discover what happened on April 29 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, April 29
  • 1893 Harold C. Urey

    American scientist awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1934 for his discovery of deuterium, the heavy form of hydrogen (1932).

  • 1872 Forest Ray Moulton

    American astronomer who collaborated with Thomas Chamberlin in advancing the planetesimal theory of the origin of the solar system (1904).

  • 1667 John Arbuthnot

    French physician, mathematician and essayist who discovered Mersenne numbers, a pioneering effort to derive a formula that would represent all prime numbers.

  • 1854 Jules Henri Poincaré

    French mathematician, physicist and astronomer who was also a gifted interpreter of science to the public.

  • 1894 Marietta Blau

    Austrian nuclear physicist who began as a strong student in mathematics and physics at school, and studied physics at university, where she wrote her thesis on the absorption of gamma rays (1919).

Deaths on This Day, April 29
  • 2008 Albert Hofmann

    Swiss pharmacologist who discovered LSD (-lysergic acid diethylamide). For his doctoral thesis he studied the chemical structure of chitin.

  • 1937 Wallace Hume Carothers

    American chemist who developed nylon (1935), the first synthetic polymer fibre to be spun from a melt.

  • 1891 John LeConte

    American physicist who promoted the use of statistics in medical research, and discovered the sensitive flame (1858).

  • 1768 Georg Brandt

    Swedish chemist who was the first person to discover a metal unknown in ancient times, which he isolated and named cobalt (1730).

  • 1864 Charles-Julien Brianchon

    French mathematician who published a geometrical theorem (named as Brianchon's theorem) while a student (1806).

1953

3-D TV

In 1953, the first U.S. three-dimensional television telecast was made by KECA-TV in Los Angeles, California.
2004

Oldsmobile Ends Production After 107 Years

On April 29, 2004, Oldsmobile built its final car, concluding 107 years of automotive production. This iconic American brand was known for pioneering innovations and stylish vehicles. The last car produced was an Alero, marking the end of an era for one of America's oldest car manufacturers.
1997

Chemical Weapons Convention Takes Effect

On April 29, 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) became effective, prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, or use of chemical weapons. It marked a significant step towards global disarmament and non-proliferation of chemical weapons. The treaty is overseen by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
1977

British Aerospace Formation

On April 29, 1977, British Aerospace was established, marking the consolidation of major aerospace manufacturers in the UK. This merger aimed to streamline operations and enhance competitiveness in the global aerospace industry. British Aerospace played a crucial role in developing military and commercial aircraft.
Holiday
Special day
Discover invention