Memorable Moments: August 29 Through History
As we mark August 29, the 241st day of 2025, we reflect on significant historical events that have unfolded on this date.
In 2004, marathoner Vanderlei de Lima was famously attacked by a spectator during the Olympic marathon in Athens. Leading the race, de Lima rebounded to finish third, earning both a bronze medal and the Pierre de Coubertin medal for his remarkable sportsmanship.
The date also recalls pivotal moments during the War of 1812 when Alexandria, Virginia, surrendered to British forces in 1814, and the signing of the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro in 1825, officially ending Brazil’s War of Independence. Fast forward to 1944, when 15,000 American troops paraded down Paris’ Champs-Élysées, celebrating the city’s liberation from Nazi occupation.
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, claiming nearly 1,400 lives and leaving a $200 billion mark on New Orleans.
This date is also notable for the 2008 selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain’s vice-presidential running mate and the 2013 Justice Department’s policy shift on marijuana legalization.
Today, we celebrate the birthdays of notable figures including actor Elliott Gould, Olympic athletes Wyomia Tyus and Bob Beamon, and Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
