On This Day - December 29, 2026

Retired sea captain Thomas Valentine Sullivan establishes the first Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Boston, MA. He modeled the organization after the YMCA created by George Williams of London, England. Sullivan opened the Boston YMCA in the Old South Church, where volunteers coordinated its operation.

The ragtime tune "The Entertainer" by the classically trained musician Scott Joplin is registered with the U.S. copyright office. He also registered two other songs: "A Breeze from Alabama" and "Elite Syncopations."

Sonotone began selling the first hearing aid with a transistor. December 29th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) Birthdays