Today in history for Jan. 29

January 29, 2026 2 Min Read

1861: Kansas Becomes a State – Kansas was admitted to the Union as the 34th state. This was a pivotal moment in American history, as Kansas entered as a “free state” following years of internal conflict known as “Bleeding Kansas.”
1886: The Birth of the Modern Automobile – German inventor Karl Benz applied for a patent for his “vehicle powered by a gas engine.” This is widely considered the birth date of the modern car.
1891: Liliuokalani Proclaimed Queen – She was the last sovereign monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, taking the throne following the death of her brother, King Kalākaua.
1924: Patent for the Popsicle – Frank Epperson received a patent for his “frozen ice on a stick,” which he had accidentally invented nearly 20 years earlier when he left a sugary drink out overnight in the cold.
1936: First Baseball Hall of Fame Class – The first five members were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson.

### Notable Births

1737: Thomas Paine – The influential philosopher and author of Common Sense, which helped spark the American Revolution.
1843: William McKinley – The 25th President of the United States, who led the nation during the Spanish-American War.
1880: W.C. Fields – The legendary American comedian, actor, and juggler known for his “curmudgeon” persona.
1945: Tom Selleck – The iconic American actor best known for Magnum, P.I. and Blue Bloods.
1954: Oprah Winfrey – The media mogul, talk show host, and philanthropist who became one of the most influential women in the world.
1960: Greg Louganis – The Olympic gold medalist diver considered one of the greatest in history.
1962: Nicholas Terry (Nick) Rhodes – Founder and keyboardist of the band Duran Duran.
1982: Adam Lambert – American singer and songwriter, currently fronting for the band Queen.

1820: George III – The King of Great Britain during the American Revolution. He died at age 81 after a long struggle with mental illness.
1963: Robert Frost – The beloved American poet and four-time Pulitzer Prize winner known for “The Road Not Taken.”
2005: Ephraim Kishon – The celebrated Israeli satirist and filmmaker.
2012: Oscar Luigi Scalfaro – The 9th President of Italy.

1912: Oklahoma’s Early Oil Boom – By late January 1912, the Cushing-Drumright Oil Field was beginning to gain massive attention, eventually making Oklahoma the oil capital of the world during that era.
Winter Weather Milestones – January 29 has historically seen significant winter storms in Eastern Oklahoma, including the 1905 cold snap that brought temperatures in the region down toward record lows

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