On this day: December 29
December 29, 1170: Thomas Becket Murdered
On this day in 1170, Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in England. Becket had been a close friend of King Henry II, but the two had a falling out over the power of the church. This led to Becket’s excommunication and eventual assassination by four knights who believed they were carrying out the king’s orders. Becket’s martyrdom led to his canonization as a saint and the cathedral where he was killed became a popular pilgrimage site.
December 29, 1845: Texas Admitted to the United States
On December 29, 1845, Texas was admitted to the United States as the 28th state. Texas had previously been an independent republic after gaining independence from Mexico in 1836. The annexation of Texas was a contentious issue in the United States, as it led to the Mexican-American War and raised questions about the balance of power between free and slave states in the union.
December 29, 1890: Wounded Knee Massacre
On this day in 1890, the Wounded Knee Massacre took place in South Dakota. US Army troops opened fire on a group of Lakota Sioux who were performing a Ghost Dance ceremony, killing over 200 men, women, and children. The massacre marked the end of the Indian Wars on the Great Plains and is a dark chapter in American history.
December 29, 1916: Grigori Rasputin Assassinated
Grigori Rasputin, a Russian mystic and close advisor to the Romanov family, was assassinated on December 29, 1916. Rasputin’s influence over the royal family had caused resentment among the Russian nobility, who saw him as a charlatan and a threat to the monarchy. He was poisoned, shot, and drowned by a group of nobles who believed they were saving Russia from his influence. Rasputin’s death did not prevent the eventual downfall of the Romanov dynasty, as the Russian Revolution and the rise of communism would lead to the execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family in 1918.
December 29, 1972: Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 Crash
On December 29, 1972, Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 crashed into the Florida Everglades, killing 101 people on board. The crash was caused by the crew’s preoccupation with a malfunctioning landing gear indicator light, which led to the aircraft descending into the swamp without the pilots realizing it. The crash led to changes in cockpit procedures and training to prevent similar accidents in the future.
December 29, 2003: The Capture of Saddam Hussein
On December 29, 2003, former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was captured by US forces near his hometown of Tikrit. Hussein had been on the run since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, but was eventually found hiding in a hole in the ground. His capture marked a major victory for the US military and the Iraqi people, as Hussein’s regime had been responsible for the deaths of thousands of Iraqis and the repression of dissent.
Conclusion
December 29 has been a significant day in history, with events ranging from the tragic to the triumphant. From the martyrdom of Thomas Becket to the capture of Saddam Hussein, this day has seen moments that have shaped the course of nations and the lives of individuals. As we reflect on these events, we are reminded of the power of history to teach us lessons about the past and inspire us to create a better future.
