This Day in History - July 29th

1588: Spanish Armada defeated

Off the coast of France, an English naval force defeats Spain’s so-called Invincible Armada. After hours of furious fighting, the remnants of the massive Spanish fleet broke off and headed north on a long and difficult journey home. Two months earlier, King Philip II had launched the Armada, consisting of 130 ships and 30,000 men, to conquer England. However, Queen Elizabeth and her naval advisers prepared a brilliant defence, employing their superior guns and ships loaded with explosives to decimate the Spanish fleet. After retreating north, the Spaniards sailed around Scotland and Ireland, where the fleet was battered by storms. By the time they returned home in October, more than half the ships had been lost.

Also On This Day

2004

U.S. Senator John F. Kerry accepts the Democratic nomination for President at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.

1993

The Israeli Supreme Court overturns John Demjanjuk’s conviction for war crimes. It was alleged that Demjanjuk was the feared Nazi concentration guard known as ‘Ivan the Terrible.’

1993

In England, two youths accused of murdering black teenager Stephen Lawrence are released with no charges brought against them.

1981

In Britain, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales marries Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

1976

In England, a fire destroys the world's longest pier in Southend.

1968

Pope Paul VI renews the ban on Roman Catholics using all artificial forms of birth control.

1958

The United States Congress passes legislation formally inaugurating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

1957

The International Atomic Energy Agency is established.

1948

In England, King George VI officially opens the 14th Olympic Games and the first to be held since 1936, at Wembley Stadium, London.

1921

Adolf Hitler becomes leader of the Nazi Party.

1900

King of Italy Umberto I is assassinated at Monza near Milan.

1890

Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh dies two days after shooting himself at the site of one of his most famous paintings.

1848

At the height of the Potato Famine in Ireland, an abortive nationalist revolt against English rule is crushed by a government police detachment in Tipperary.

1567

James VI is crowned King of Scotland at Stirling.

1565

Mary Queen of Scots marries her cousin, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley.