What Happened On This Day – November 29
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1972 Atari Releases Pong
One of the very first arcade games to hit the market, Pong was a 1 or 2 player video game similar to tennis, where the goal is to use a paddle to hit a ball. Around 35000 Pong consoles were sold around the world.
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1951 Silent Coup in Thailand
The Thai military took over the country's governance and reinstated the 1932 Constitution.
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1929 First flight over the South Pole
American explorer Richard Byrd became the first person to fly over the South Pole. The flight took just over 18 hours. 3 years ago, Byrd flew over the North Pole, though there is some debate whether he actually accomplished the feat.
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1899 FC Barcelona founded
The popular football (soccer) club was founded by footballer Hans Gamper. Informally known as Barça, the club is thought to be one of the top 5 richest football clubs in the world. The club has won 4 European Cups (1978-79, 1981-82, 1988-89, 1996-97) and is a 5 time Champions League winner (1991-92, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2014-15).
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1777 City of San Jose Founded
The first city to be settled in California, San Jose was founded as San José de Guadalupe. Before the Spanish settled in the city, the area was inhabitated by the Ohlone people. San Jose was the first capital of the state of California, which was established in 1850.
Births On This Day,
November 29
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1969 Mariano Rivera
Panamanian baseball player
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1964 Don Cheadle
American actor, producer
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1932 Jacques Chirac
French politician, 22nd President of France
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1898 C. S. Lewis
Irish author, poet
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1835 Empress Dowager Cixi
of China
Deaths On This Day,
November 29
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2001 George Harrison
English singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer
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1975 Graham Hill
English race car driver
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1780 Maria Theresa
Austrian wife of Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
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1682 Prince Rupert of the Rhine
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1632 Frederick V, Elector Palatine
Bohemian king