This day in history...

On December 29, 1845, Texas is admitted as the 28th state in the Union. Texas' journey to statehood began with a settlement of Americans on the Brazos River, led by Stephen F. Austin in the 1820's, when Texas was part of Mexico. Although permitted to settle there by the Mexican government, Austin's rapidly growing settlement refused to accept Mexican authority, and revolted in 1836, declaring themselves an independent republic. A brief war for independence followed, and after their victory, the Republic of Texas elected Sam Houston president, but always with the understanding that they would seek statehood.

On December 29, 1959, physicist Richard Feynman lectures at CalTech. Titled "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom: An Invitation to Enter a New Field of Physics," Feynman's lecture is considered the birth of nanotechnology.


On December 29, 1984, Do They Know Its Christmas, by a compilation of British superstar musicians calling themselves Band Aid, hits number one on the UK music charts. Recorded 3 week earlier, the song was conceived by Bob Geldof, singer for the Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats, after seeing a story about "famine of Biblical proportions" in Africa. Geldof wanted to produce a smash single with all proceeds donated to famine relief. He was able to immediately recruit Sting, Duran Duran singer Simon LeBon and Spandau Ballet singer Gary Kemp on board. Bono, Phil Collins, Boy George, George Michael, Jody Whatley, and Robert "Kool" Bell headlined those who soon followed. Do They Know Its Christmas would hit the number one spot in 13 countries and be the top selling single of all time in the UK. It would also inspire an American copycat effort, We Are the World, and eventually, the Live Aid mega-concert for famine relief.
Band Aid - Do they know it's christmas 1984 | HD - Widescreen 16:9 - YouTube