Washington, United States. A series of notable events took place on June 29 in different years, spanning politics, fashion, film, law, auctions and sport. They include the deaths of prominent public figures, a major court ruling, a government resignation and a world record in swimming.
Deaths of prominent figures
In 1941, Polish concert pianist and statesman Ignace Jan Paderewski died. He had campaigned abroad on behalf of Poland and briefly served as prime minister in 1919.
In 1982, Pierre Alexandre Balmain, who headed one of the two great Paris fashion houses, died.
In 1995, Lana Turner, the blonde bombshell discovered at a Hollywood soda fountain who became one of America’s most glamorous movie stars, died aged 75.
In 2002, American singer and actress Rosemary Clooney, who starred opposite Bing Crosby in the 1954 film “White Christmas”, died.
In 2003, American movie star Katharine Hepburn, winner of four “Best Actress” Oscars, died aged 96.
Political and legal developments
In 1999, Kurdish guerrilla leader Abdullah Ocalan was sentenced to hang for treason by a Turkish court.
In 2001, Yugoslav Prime Minister Zoran Zizic resigned, triggering the fall of the federal government over the transfer of Slobodan Milosevic to the war crimes court in The Hague.
Record sale and sporting achievement
In 2000, a first printing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence sold for $8.14 million in a Sotheby’s online auction, setting a record for any sale on the Internet.
In 2008, Michael Phelps set a new world record in the 400m individual medley swimming event.