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THE DAY IN HISTORY · MAY 29

May 29 in history

What happened on May 29: 3 moments from the Maps of History atlases, in 1453, 1935 and 1970, each linked to the map that shows it.

Constantinople falls to Mehmed II after eleven centuries of Roman rule. Scholars flee west with their libraries.

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— Battle of Luding Bridge

29 May 1935 — Twenty-two volunteers cross a chain bridge over the Dadu gorge under fire, planks burning, to hold the only crossing before pursuit arrives. The story grew in the telling — every revolution needs its bridge — but the crossing was real, and it saved the march from Shi Dakai’s fate on this same river.

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— Ford Dagenham women’s strike

Jun 1968 — 187 women sewing machinists at Ford’s Dagenham plant strike for three weeks after their work is graded as “unskilled”. Car production stops; Barbara Castle brokers a deal, and her Equal Pay Act follows on 29 May 1970.

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