United States History On This Day: March 29

March 29, 1638 — Fort Christina Established
Swedish settlers founded Fort Christina in present‑day Delaware, creating the center of New Sweden. The fort became a key site of trade with the Lenape and introduced log‑cabin construction to the region. Though later absorbed by the Dutch, the colony left a lasting cultural imprint on the mid‑Atlantic.
March 29, 1849 — Minnesota Territory Created
Congress established the Minnesota Territory, accelerating settlement along the upper Mississippi River. The act spurred rapid growth in towns like St. Paul and intensified pressure on Dakota and Ojibwe lands. It marked the beginning of Minnesota’s transition from frontier region to eventual statehood in 1858.
March 29, 1973 — Last U.S. Combat Troops Leave Vietnam
The final U.S. combat forces departed Vietnam under the Paris Peace Accords, ending direct American involvement in the war. The withdrawal symbolized closure for many families and veterans after years of conflict, protest, and political upheaval. Fighting in Vietnam continued, but America’s military role formally ended.
March 29, 1999 — Dow Jones Closes Above 10,000
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 10,000 for the first time, capturing the optimism of the late‑1990s tech boom. The milestone reflected soaring investor confidence during the dot‑com era, even as underlying speculation hinted at the market correction that would soon follow.

The original nine counties of Minnesota Territory established by the Legislative Assembly in 1849