29 June 1916

British diplomat turned Irish nationalist Roger Casement is sentenced to death for his part in the Easter Rising.

Roger Casement, a British diplomat who turned into an Irish nationalist, is a fascinating and complex historical figure. He was born on September 1, 1864, in Dublin, Ireland. Casement had a distinguished career as a British consul and became renowned for his humanitarian work, particularly his reports exposing atrocities in the Congo Free State and the Putumayo region in Peru. These reports highlighted the exploitation and abuse of indigenous peoples and brought international attention to human rights issues.

Despite his successful career in the British diplomatic service, Casement’s nationalist sentiments grew over time. He became increasingly involved in the Irish independence movement, seeking to free Ireland from British rule. Casement played a significant role in the planning and execution of the Easter Rising, an armed insurrection against British rule that took place in Dublin in April 1916.

Casement’s involvement in the Easter Rising included efforts to secure German support for the rebellion. He traveled to Germany to negotiate for arms and assistance, believing that Germany’s involvement could tip the balance in favor of the Irish rebels. However, his mission faced numerous challenges, and the anticipated German aid did not materialize as planned.

In April 1916, shortly before the Easter Rising began, Casement was captured by British authorities in County Kerry, Ireland, after being discovered at Banna Strand following his return from Germany. He was arrested, tried for treason, and sentenced to death. Casement’s trial was highly publicized and controversial, with debates surrounding his patriotism, loyalty, and the legitimacy of his actions.

On August 3, 1916, Roger Casement was executed by hanging at Pentonville Prison in London. His execution provoked strong reactions, both in Ireland and internationally. While some viewed him as a traitor to the British Crown, others saw him as a martyr for Irish independence. Casement’s legacy remains contentious, reflecting the complexities of his life, his contributions to human rights, and his dedication to the cause of Irish nationalism.

29 June 1952

The first Miss Universe pageant is held. Armi Kuusela from Finland wins the title of Miss Universe 1952.

The Miss Universe pageant is an international beauty pageant that showcases the beauty, elegance, and intelligence of women from around the world. It is one of the most prestigious beauty pageants globally and has been held annually since its inception in 1952.

The pageant is owned and organized by the Miss Universe Organization, which is currently owned by the WME/IMG talent agency. The competition brings together representatives from more than 90 countries, who compete in various categories such as evening gown, swimsuit, interview, and sometimes a talent segment.

The winner of the Miss Universe pageant holds the title of Miss Universe for a year and becomes an ambassador for various charitable causes and organizations. She travels extensively during her reign, promoting awareness about her chosen platform and engaging in humanitarian efforts.

The pageant has gained significant popularity over the years and has become a global television event, attracting millions of viewers worldwide. The final competition is typically broadcast live and features performances by renowned musical artists.

The judging criteria for Miss Universe go beyond physical beauty and include factors such as poise, personality, intelligence, and social awareness. The contestants are often involved in philanthropy and advocacy work, addressing various social issues, and promoting positive change.

Miss Universe has had a significant impact on the lives of many titleholders, providing them with opportunities to pursue careers in modeling, acting, and philanthropy. The pageant has also faced its share of controversies and criticism regarding its focus on physical appearance and the objectification of women.

29 June 1987

The painting, the Le Pont de Trinquetaille by Vincent Van Gogh, was bought for $20.4 million at an auction in London, England.

LONDON — Dutch-born artist Vincent van Gogh’s “The Bridge at Trinquetaille” was sold at auction Monday for the equivalent of $20.2 million, the second-highest price ever paid for a painting.

The winning bid in the sale at Christie’s auction house that took just over one minute came in a telephone call from an unidentified German-speaking collector in Europe.

The bidding–in British pounds–was raised in increments equivalent to $800,000. The total price includes a 10% commission charged to the buyer.

Last March in London, Van Gogh’s dazzling yellow painting called “Sunflowers” became the most expensive auctioned picture when a Japanese firm, Yasuda Fire & Marine Insurance Co., paid $39.9 million for the painting.

“Le Pont de Trinquetaille,” portrays an iron bridge that spans the Rhone River in southern France between Arles and its suburb of Trinquetaille. It was painted in a single afternoon in 1888–less than two years before its impoverished creator committed suicide at the age of 37. Van Gogh thought it might be worth $100, according to Christie’s Impressionist expert, James Roundell.

The painting was sent for sale by an American, Sonja Kramarsky, of New York, a descendant of Siegfried Kramarsky of Amsterdam who bought it at a Paris sale in 1932 for about $18,000.

The entire Kramarsky collection, including the Van Gogh bridge, was sent from Holland to the United States for safekeeping just before World War II.

For the past three years, the painting had been on loan to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

29 June 2007

The first iPhone is released by Apple Inc.

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The iPhone is the first smartphone model designed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is the first generation of iPhone that was announced on January 9, 2007 after years of rumors and speculation.It was introduced in the United States on June 29, 2007, and it featured quad-band GSM cellular connectivity with GPRS and EDGE support for data transfer.

On June 9, 2008, Apple announced its successor, the iPhone 3G. The original iPhone has not received software updates from Apple since iPhone OS (now iOS) 3.1.3. Since June 11, 2013, the original iPhone has been considered “obsolete” in Apple retail stores, “vintage” by other service providers in the US, and “obsolete” in all other regions.Apple does not service vintage or obsolete products, and replacement parts for obsolete products are not available to service providers.

The iPhone was released on June 29, 2007 in the United States where thousands of people were reported to have waited outside Apple and AT&T retail stores days before the device’s launch; with many stores reporting stock shortages within an hour. To avoid repeating the problems of the PlayStation 3 launch, which caused burglaries and even a shooting, off-duty police officers were hired to guard stores overnight. It was later made available in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland and Austria in November 2007.Six out of ten Americans surveyed said they knew the iPhone was coming before its release.