December 29 Today in History. On this day in history, major events unfolded that still shape the world today. December 29 historical events include the assassination of Grigori Rasputin in 1916, one of the most infamous figures in Russian history. Rasputin’s death played a critical role in the collapse of the Russian monarchy and the events leading to the Russian Revolution. On December 29, 1845, Texas officially became the 28th state of the United States, marking a pivotal moment in American ex