July 29 in History: International Tiger Day, India–Sri Lanka Accord, IAEA, NASA and London Olympics
Study the most important events associated with July 29, including International Tiger Day 2026, the India–Sri Lanka Accord, the birth of the IAEA, the law that created NASA, London 1948, the Arc de Triomphe and Vincent van Gogh.
For competitive examinations, remember the keywords Tiger, Accord, IAEA, NASA, Olympics, Arc and Van Gogh. Questions may be asked through dates, organisations, headquarters, international agreements, conservation statistics and matching pairs.
Quick Facts at a Glance
1. International Tiger Day 2026
Protecting Tigers, Preserving Ecosystems
International Tiger Day, also called Global Tiger Day, is observed every year on July 29 to raise awareness about tiger conservation, habitat protection and international cooperation.
The observance traces its origin to the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit of 2010. Leaders from 13 tiger-range countries adopted the Tx2 goal, which aimed to double the global wild-tiger population by 2022.
According to the Government of India’s July 2026 conservation backgrounder, India is home to nearly 70% of the world’s wild tigers. The 2022 All India Tiger Estimation placed India’s tiger population at an average of 3,682.
Tigers are apex predators and umbrella species. Protecting tiger landscapes also protects forests, rivers, prey animals and many other species.
Project Tiger: 1973
All India Tiger Estimation 2022: Average estimate of 3,682
India has 58 tiger reserves across 18 tiger-range States
Tiger Conservation in India: Updated Static GK
| Topic | Updated Fact | Exam Keyword |
|---|---|---|
| National Animal | Royal Bengal Tiger | Declared in 1972 |
| Flagship programme | Project Tiger | Launched in 1973 |
| Statutory authority | National Tiger Conservation Authority | Wildlife law amendment, 2006 |
| Latest national estimate used in 2026 | 3,682 tigers | AITE 2022 |
| Tiger reserves | 58 reserves in 18 tiger-range States | About 84,500 sq km |
| Monitoring system | M-STrIPES | GPS, GPRS and remote sensing |
2. India–Sri Lanka Accord Signed – 1987
A Major Agreement in South Asian Diplomatic History
The India–Sri Lanka Accord, also called the Indo-Lanka Accord, was signed at Colombo on July 29, 1987.
It was signed by Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayewardene. The accord sought a political settlement while recognising Sri Lanka’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The agreement addressed devolution, the Northern and Eastern Provinces, language questions, cessation of hostilities and surrender of arms. The Thirteenth Amendment and provincial-council framework followed the accord.
The agreement is also associated with the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force, or IPKF, in Sri Lanka.
Signed at Colombo by Rajiv Gandhi and J. R. Jayewardene
Associated topics: Thirteenth Amendment, provincial councils and IPKF
3. IAEA Statute Entered into Force – 1957
The Official Birth of the International Atomic Energy Agency
The Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency entered into force on July 29, 1957. The date is regarded as the official birth of the IAEA.
The IAEA promotes peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology and applies safeguards to verify that nuclear material and activities are not diverted to military purposes.
Its headquarters is in Vienna, Austria. Its principal components are the General Conference, Board of Governors and Secretariat.
Headquarters: Vienna
Keywords: Peaceful nuclear use, safety, security and safeguards
4. National Aeronautics and Space Act Created NASA – 1958
A Civilian Space Agency for the United States
On July 29, 1958, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act into law.
The law created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, as a civilian agency for non-military space activities and aeronautical research.
NASA was built around the existing National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, and officially began operations on October 1, 1958.
The Soviet launch of Sputnik in October 1957 was an important background factor in the rapid development of the U.S. space programme.
President: Dwight D. Eisenhower
NASA began operations: October 1, 1958
Predecessor: NACA
5. London 1948 Olympic Games Opened
The Olympics Returned After a Twelve-Year Gap
The Games of the XIV Olympiad opened at Wembley Stadium in London on July 29, 1948. King George VI officially opened the Games.
These were the first Summer Olympics after the 1936 Berlin Games. The 1940 and 1944 Games had been cancelled because of the Second World War.
London 1948 became known as the “Austerity Games” because Britain was still recovering from wartime economic hardship. The event brought together 59 nations and more than 4,000 athletes.
India won the men’s field-hockey gold medal, its first Olympic gold after independence.
First Summer Olympics after World War II
India’s first Olympic gold after independence: Men’s hockey
6. Arc de Triomphe Inaugurated in Paris – 1836
A Monument to the Armies of the Revolution and Empire
The Arc de Triomphe was inaugurated in Paris on July 29, 1836 by Interior Minister Adolphe Thiers during the reign of Louis-Philippe.
Napoleon I ordered its construction in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz. Architect Jean-François Chalgrin prepared the original design, inspired by Roman triumphal arches.
The monument stands at Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of the Champs-Élysées and honours the armies of the French Revolution and Empire.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed beneath the monument in 1921.
City: Paris
Ordered by: Napoleon I
Original architect: Jean-François Chalgrin
7. Vincent van Gogh Died – 1890
A Major Figure in Post-Impressionist Art
Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh died at Auvers-sur-Oise in France on July 29, 1890, at the age of 37.
Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853 in the Netherlands. His work is associated with Post-Impressionism and is known for expressive colour and energetic brushwork.
Famous works include The Starry Night, Sunflowers, The Bedroom and numerous self-portraits. His brother Theo played an important role in supporting him and preserving his legacy.
Born: March 30, 1853
Died: July 29, 1890
Place: Auvers-sur-Oise, France
July 29 Quick Revision Table
| Year / Date | Historical Event | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1836 | Arc de Triomphe inaugurated | Paris; Adolphe Thiers |
| 1890 | Vincent van Gogh died | Dutch Post-Impressionist |
| 1948 | London Olympics opened | Austerity Games |
| 1957 | IAEA Statute entered into force | Headquarters: Vienna |
| 1958 | NASA Act signed | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| 1987 | India–Sri Lanka Accord signed | Rajiv Gandhi and J. R. Jayewardene |
| July 29 | International Tiger Day | Tiger and ecosystem conservation |
Treaty = India–Sri Lanka Accord
Atom = IAEA
Space = NASA Act
Games = London 1948
Arc = Arc de Triomphe
Art = Van Gogh
10 MCQs
The observance grew from the global tiger-conservation process linked to the 2010 Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit and the Tx2 goal.
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Project Tiger is India’s flagship tiger-conservation programme. The NTCA guides scientific and administrative conservation action.
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The minimum camera-trapped count was 3,167, while the statistical average estimate was 3,682 and the upper estimate was 3,925.
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They signed the accord at Colombo on July 29, 1987. It addressed devolution and Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict.
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The amendment and provincial-council framework followed the accord and remain important in India–Sri Lanka relations.
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The IAEA Statute entered into force on July 29, 1957. The agency promotes peaceful nuclear applications and applies safeguards.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Act created NASA. The agency began operations on October 1, 1958.
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The Games opened at Wembley Stadium on July 29, 1948 while Britain was still recovering from wartime shortages.
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Napoleon I ordered the monument in 1806. It was inaugurated on July 29, 1836.
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The Dutch artist was known for expressive colour and energetic brushwork. He died on July 29, 1890.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is International Tiger Day observed on July 29?
It promotes global awareness and cooperation for protecting wild tigers and their habitats and is linked to the 2010 Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit.
2. What is India’s latest official tiger estimate used in 2026?
The Government’s July 2026 backgrounder cites an average of 3,682 tigers from the All India Tiger Estimation 2022.
3. Who signed the India–Sri Lanka Accord?
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J. R. Jayewardene signed it in Colombo on July 29, 1987.
4. Why is July 29 important for the IAEA?
The IAEA Statute entered into force on July 29, 1957, marking the agency’s official birth.
5. Was NASA created and opened on the same date?
No. The law was signed on July 29, 1958, while NASA began operations on October 1, 1958.
6. Why were the London 1948 Olympics called the Austerity Games?
Britain was still recovering from wartime shortages and organised the Games with limited resources.
Related Posts on Learn With Mahesh
Official Sources and References
- PIB – India Leads the Wilderness in Tiger Conservation, July 2026
- NTCA – All India Tiger Estimation 2022
- MEA – Indo-Lanka Accord, July 29, 1987
- MEA – 13th Amendment and the 1987 Agreement
- IAEA – Statute
- IAEA – History
- NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Act
- NASA History – Creation of NASA
- IOC – London 1948 Olympic Games
- Centre des monuments nationaux – Arc de Triomphe
- Van Gogh Museum – The Last Days of Vincent van Gogh
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