On today’s date May 29, 1917, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts.

The conclusion of JFK’s inaugural address in 1961:
“With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”

Image: Ensign John F. Kennedy, US Navy, in South Carolina c. 1942 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Rhode Island was the final state among the original 13 colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution on May 29, 1790. For years, it had opposed ratification due to concerns over federal influence on its economy and currency. However, mounting pressure—including the possibility of a trade embargo—ultimately led to its decision to join the Union.

Image: view of Colonial Newport, Rhode Island via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Dutch homestead, Little Chute, Wisconsin sometime before 1850.

On May 29, 1848 Wisconsin became the 30th state. 

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

The place where Patrick Henry, Founding Father of the United States, was born on May 29, 1736 in Hanover County, Virginia.

He was born in a home that once stood here until it was destroyed by fire in 1807.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Bob Hope and his 1944 USO troupe visiting a hospital ward in the South Pacific.

  Hope’s USO shows traveled the world to entertain men and women of America’s armed forces for a half-century.

Bob Hope was born on May 29, 1903 in Eltham, London, England.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

“That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman? Look at me!”

– Sojourner Truth from her “Ain’t I a Woman” speech that she delivered on May 29, 1851 at the Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio.

A painting of a garden by American artist Clark Voorhees who was born on May 29, 1871 in New York City.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Battle Weary-Marines of a Sixth Division mortar crew snatch forty winks after a hard night of fighting for the capital city of Naha in Okinawa, Japan  

May 29, 1945

from USMC Archives via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

On May 29, 1961, “Travelin’ Man” by Ricky Nelson became the #1 song in America. 

Image of Ricky holding a Coca-Cola c. 1960 via Alamy 

On May 29, 1942 Bing Crosby recorded his version of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas”

Image from Correodelag via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

May 29, 1905 is considered to be the date when Elmer Stricklett introduced the spitball pitch to Major League Baseball. 

The spitball was eventually banned in the offseason before 1920, but 17 spitball pitchers were permitted to throw the erratic missle until they retired. The last “spitballer” retired in 1934.  

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain 

American Legion at Tomb of Woodrow Wilson, 5/29/1925

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain 

On May 29, 1843, John C. Frémont began his second overland expedition of the American west. 

He used the Oregon Trail to reach Fort Vancouver in present day Washington state and decided to turn south and venture into Nevada and California.   

It was during this trip that Kit Carson guided Frémont’s group over the Sierra Nevada where they continued their exploration.

Frémont’s journey ended over a year later in August 1844.

Image of John C. Frémont via National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, no known restrictions