1. On April 29, 1864, the Union Army, led by General Joseph Bailey, successfully completed the construction of a dam on the Red River in Louisiana, preventing Confederate soldiers from advancing further north. This victory played a significant role in the outcome of the Civil War.

2. In 1904, Maine became the first state in the country to require car registration, with the first plates issued on April 29 of that year. The initial fee was only $2, and the state only issued 518 licenses.

3. On April 29, 1939, a record-breaking blizzard swept through Maine, dumping over 3 feet of snow in some areas and causing extensive damage to power lines and buildings. The storm affected the state for several days, leading to widespread transportation disruptions and power outages.

4. In 1967, the Maine State Legislature approved the creation of the Maine Human Rights Commission, which was designed to investigate and eradicate instances of discrimination within the state. The organization officially began operations on April 29, 1968.

5. On April 29, 1983, the USS Stark was hit by two missiles fired from an Iraqi fighter jet, killing 37 American sailors. The ship had been patrolling the Persian Gulf when it was attacked, and the incident served as a sobering reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region.