Today in History: NASA was created in 1958

The following is a chronological list of notable events that occurred on July 29 throughout history:

Battle of Kleidion: Byzantine defeat of the Bulgarians (29 July 1014)

Byzantine Emperor Basil II decisively defeated Tsar Samuil’s Bulgarian forces at Kleidion, reportedly blinding captured soldiers; many historical accounts date the battle to 29 July 1014.

English defeat Spanish Armada at Gravelines (29 July 1588)

English naval forces under Lord Howard and Sir Francis Drake routed the Spanish Armada near Gravelines on 29 July 1588.

Arc de Triomphe inaugurated in Paris (29 July 1836)

The monument commemorating Napoleonic and Revolutionary victories was officially opened in Paris on 29 July 1836.

U.S.–Japan Harris Treaty signed (29 July 1858)

The Treaty of Amity and Commerce (the Harris Treaty) was signed aboard the USS Powhatan, opening Japanese ports to American trade on 29 July 1858.

Confederate spy Belle Boyd arrested (29 July 1862)

Marie Isabella “Belle” Boyd was captured by Union forces in Washington, D.C., and detained for espionage on 29 July 1862.

King Umberto I assassinated in Italy (29 July 1900)

Italian King Umberto I was shot dead by anarchist Gaetano Bresci in Monza on 29 July 1900.

Adolf Hitler elected Nazi Party leader (29 July 1921)

Hitler formally became leader of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party on 29 July 1921.

“The Fellowship of the Ring” published (29 July 1954)

J.R.R. Tolkien’s first volume of The Lord of the Rings was published in the UK on 29 July 1954.

IAEA established (29 July 1957)

The International Atomic Energy Agency formally began on 29 July 1957, to promote peaceful nuclear use.

NASA created (29 July 1958)

U.S. President Eisenhower signed legislation forming NASA on 29 July 1958