1. On January 29, 1845, Edgar Allan Poe attended a lecture at the Boston Lyceum titled "The Universe" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. This encounter led to a friendship between the two literary giants.

2. In 1861, Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner delivered a powerful speech in the Senate denouncing the "Crime Against Kansas," referring to the violence and chaos in the Kansas Territory surrounding the issue of slavery.

3. January 29, 1958, marked the official start of the Boston Celtics dynasty. The team traded for star player Bill Russell, who would go on to lead the Celtics to 11 championships in 13 seasons.

4. Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy announced his candidacy for president on January 29, 1980. However, his campaign faced many challenges, including the ongoing Iran Hostage Crisis and the struggle to separate himself from the shadow of his brother, former President John F. Kennedy.

5. Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino declared January 29, 1997, "Mark Bavis Day" in honor of the Boston-area hockey player who died tragically in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Bavis had been a standout player at Boston University and went on to play professionally before becoming a scout for the Los Angeles Kings.