1777 – San Jose, California, is founded as Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe by José Joaquín Moraga. It is the first Spanish civilian settlement, or pueblo, in Alta California.

1877 – Thomas Edison demonstrates his phonograph for the first time.

1890 – The Meiji Constitution goes into effect in Japan, and the first Diet convenes.

1899 – FC Barcelona is founded by Catalan, Spanish and Englishmen. It later develops into one of Spanish football's most iconic and strongest teams.

1929 – U.S. Admiral Richard E. Byrd leads the first expedition to fly over the South Pole.

1963 – "I Want to Hold Your Hand", recorded on October 17, 1963, is released by the Beatles in the United Kingdom.

1972 – Atari releases Pong, the first commercially successful video game.

If today is your birthday, Happy Birthday To You! You share this special day with…

1797 – Gaetano Donizetti, Italian composer (d. 1848)

1832 – Louisa May Alcott, American novelist and poet (d. 1888)

1895 – Busby Berkeley, American director and choreographer (d. 1976)

1898 – C. S. Lewis, British novelist, poet, and critic (d. 1963)

1900 – Mildred Gillars, also known as “Axis Sally”, American broadcaster, employed by Nazi Germany to disseminate propaganda during WWII (d. 1988)

1908 – Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., American pastor and politician (d. 1972)

1917 – Merle Travis, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 1983)

1918 – Madeleine L'Engle, American author and poet (d. 2007)

1927 – Vin Scully, American sportscaster and game show host

1928 – Paul Simon, American soldier and politician, 39th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois (d. 2003)

1932 – Jacques Chirac, French soldier and politician, 22nd President of France (d. 2019)

1933 – John Mayall, English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

1935 – Diane Ladd, American actress

1939 – Peter Bergman, American comedian, actor and screenwriter (d. 2012)

1940 – Chuck Mangione, American horn player and composer

1942 – Ann Dunham, American anthropologist and academic (d. 1995)

1946 – Silvio Rodríguez, Cuban singer-songwriter and guitarist

1947 – Petra Kelly, German activist and politician (d. 1992)

1947 – Ronnie Montrose, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (d. 2012)

1949 – Garry Shandling, American comedian, actor, and screenwriter (d. 2016)

1954 – Joel Coen, American director, producer, and screenwriter

1955 – Howie Mandel, Canadian comedian, actor, and television host

1959 – Rahm Emanuel, American businessman and politician, 44th Mayor of Chicago

1964 – Don Cheadle, American actor and producer

Almanac - Friday 11/29/19

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