December 29 (calendar date)

Calendar and chronology

The place of December 29 in any given year shifts by weekday according to the rules that govern leap years and the Gregorian system. For information on leap year rules see leap year, and for the broader civil system see the Gregorian calendar. In some cultures and fiscal systems this date marks the last working days before year-end closures; in ISO week numbering it may fall in the final calendar week or in week 1 of the next year depending on how weeks are counted.

History and notable anniversaries

Many historical events have been recorded on December 29 across centuries. One widely known medieval event is the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170, an incident that had long-term consequences for English church–state relations and is commemorated in some Christian calendars. The date is also the birthday of notable figures; for example, Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, was born on December 29, 1808.

Observances and customs

December 29 is not a major international public holiday, but it carries local and religious observances in various traditions. In Christian liturgical calendars some communities observe the feast or commemoration of saints associated with the day. More broadly, it commonly falls within a period of travel, family gatherings, and commercial activity linked to the closing of the year and preparations for New Year's Eve.

Examples and categories

• Common observances: end-of-year preparation, localized feast days, remembrance of historical anniversaries.
• Typical activities: business closures, final accounting tasks, travel and reunion plans, cultural events leading into New Year.

Notable events, births and deaths (select)

• 1170: Murder of Thomas Becket (archbishop of Canterbury), an event with lasting historical impact in England.
• 1808: Birth of Andrew Johnson, later the 17th president of the United States.

Because December 29 sits at the close of the calendar year, many other anniversaries, birthdays and remembrances fall on this date; lists of events for specific years are commonly compiled by historians and almanacs for reference.