I’ll be posting a few fun little things that happened on this day in history. I’ll also add my own commentary to the mix now and then as well.

Note: Not all events will be pleasant, but I promise to throw in as many quirky and pleasant ones as I can to balance.

January 29th

1785- In a surprising announcement, John Hancock resigns as Governor of Massachusetts, allegedly dueto his failing health.

1814- War of the sixth coalition: Russia and Prussia are defeated by France in the Battle of Brienne.

1840- First Governor of New Zealand and co-author of the Treaty of Waitangi Captain William Hobson arrives in the Bay of Islands, NZ.

1845- American Writer Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” 1st published in the Evening Mirror newspaper (New York City).

1861- US State of Kansas admitted to the Union as the 34th state.

1863- Bear River Massacre: American soldiers slaughter hundreds of Native Americans at the confluence of the Bear River and Beaver Creek in present day Idaho.

1886- Karl Benz patents the “Benz Patent Motor Wagon” in Karlsruhe, Germany, the world’s 1st automobile with a burning motor.

1892- The Coca-Cola Company is incorporated in Atlanta, Ga

1896- Emile Grubbe is the first doctor to use radiation treatment for breast cancer.

1907- Charles Curtis becomes U.S. Senator from Kansas, first Native American to become a Senator.

Source: On This Day