On This Day — August 31

🕰️ Notable Events on August 31

• 2016 — Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff is impeached and removed from office. Wikipedia ↗
• 2006 — Edvard Munch's famous painting The Scream, stolen on August 22, 2004, is recovered in a raid by Norwegian police. Wikipedia ↗
• 2005 — The 2005 Al-Aaimmah bridge stampede in Baghdad kills 953 people. Wikipedia ↗
• 1999 — The first of a series of bombings in Moscow kills one person and wounds 40 others. Wikipedia ↗
• 1999 — A LAPA Boeing 737-200 crashes during takeoff from Jorge Newbury Airport in Buenos Aires, killing 65, including two on the ground. Wikipedia ↗
• 1997 — Diana, Princess of Wales, her companion Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul die in a car crash in Paris. Wikipedia ↗
• 1996 — Saddam Hussein's troops seized Irbil after the Kurdish Masoud Barzani appealed for help to defeat his Kurdish rival PUK. Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Russia completes removing its troops from Lithuania. Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Kyrgyzstan declares its independence from the Soviet Union. Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Thai Airways Flight 365 crashes into the ocean near Ko Phuket, Thailand, killing all 83 aboard. Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Aeroméxico Flight 498 collides with a Piper PA-28 Cherokee over Cerritos, California, killing 67 in the air and 15 on the ground. Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — The Soviet passenger liner Admiral Nakhimov sinks in the Black Sea after colliding with the bulk carrier Pyotr Vasev, killing 423. Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Crown Colony of North Borneo (now Sabah) achieves self governance. Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Trinidad and Tobago becomes independent. Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — A parcel bomb sent by Ngô Đình Nhu, younger brother and chief adviser of South Vietnamese President Ngô Đình Diệm, fails to kill King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia. Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — The Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia) gains its independence from the United Kingdom. Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — The retreat of the Democratic Army of Greece in Albania after its defeat on Gramos mountain marks the end of the Greek Civil War. Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — USS Harmon, the first U.S. Navy ship to be named after a black person, is commissioned. Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — World War II: Serbian paramilitary forces defeat Germans in the Battle of Loznica. Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Pennsylvania Central Airlines Trip 19 crashes near Lovettsville, Virginia. The CAB investigation of the accident is the first investigation to be conducted under the Bureau of Air Commerce act of 1938. Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Nazi Germany mounts a false flag attack on the Gleiwitz radio station, creating an excuse to attack Poland the following day, thus starting World War II in Europe. Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Radio Prague, now the official international broadcasting station of the Czech Republic, goes on the air. Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — In an attempt to stay out of the growing turmoil in Europe, the United States passes the first of its Neutrality Acts. Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Polish-Soviet War: A decisive Polish victory in the Battle of Komarów. Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — The first radio news program is broadcast by 8MK in Detroit. Wikipedia ↗
• 1918 — World War I: Start of the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin, a successful assault by the Australian Corps during the Hundred Days Offensive. Wikipedia ↗
• 1907 — Count Alexander Izvolsky and Sir Arthur Nicolson sign the St. Petersburg Convention, which results in the Triple Entente alliance. Wikipedia ↗
• 1897 — Thomas Edison patents the Kinetoscope, the first movie projector. Wikipedia ↗
• 1895 — German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin patents his navigable balloon. Wikipedia ↗
• 1888 — Mary Ann Nichols is murdered. She is the first of Jack the Ripper's confirmed victims. Wikipedia ↗
• 1886 — The 7.0 Mw Charleston earthquake affects southeastern South Carolina with a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme); 60 people killed with damage estimated at $5-6 million. Wikipedia ↗
• 1876 — Ottoman Sultan Murad V is deposed and succeeded by his brother Abdul Hamid II. Wikipedia ↗
• 1864 — During the American Civil War, Union forces led by General William T. Sherman launch an assault on Atlanta. Wikipedia ↗
• 1813 — At the final stage of the Peninsular War, British-Portuguese troops capture the town of Donostia (now San Sebastián), resulting in a rampage and eventual destruction of the town. Elsewhere, Spanish troops repel a French attack in the Battle of San Marcial. Wikipedia ↗
• 1798 — Irish Rebellion of 1798: Irish rebels, with French assistance, establish the short-lived Republic of Connacht. Wikipedia ↗
• 1795 — War of the First Coalition: The British capture Trincomalee (present-day Sri Lanka) from the Dutch in order to keep it out of French hands. Wikipedia ↗
• 1776 — William Livingston, the first Governor of New Jersey, begins serving his first term. Wikipedia ↗
• 1422 — King Henry V of England dies of dysentery while in France. His son, Henry VI becomes King of England at the age of 9 months. Wikipedia ↗
• 1314 — King Haakon V of Norway moves the capital from Bergen to Oslo. Wikipedia ↗
• 1218 — Al-Kamil becomes sultan of the Ayyubid dynasty. Wikipedia ↗
• 1057 — Abdication of Byzantine Emperor Michael VI Bringas after just one year. Wikipedia ↗
• 1056 — After a sudden illness a few days previously, Byzantine Empress Theodora dies childless, thus ending the Macedonian dynasty. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on August 31

• 1994 — Alex Harris, Scottish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Pablo Marí, Spanish football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Ilnur Alshin, Russian football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Anna Karnaukh, Russian water polo player Wikipedia ↗
• 1992 — Tyler Randell, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — António Félix da Costa, Portuguese race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Cédric Soares, Portuguese footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Tadeja Majerič, Slovenian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Dezmon Briscoe, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Trent Hodkinson, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — David Ospina, Colombian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Xavi Annunziata, Spanish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Petros Kravaritis, Greek footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Ondřej Pavelec, Czech ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Rolando, Portuguese footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Andrew Foster, Australian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Matti Breschel, Danish cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Ryan Kesler, American ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Ted Ligety, American skier Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Charl Schwartzel, South African golfer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Deniz Aydoğdu, German-Turkish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Milan Biševac, Serbian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Larry Fitzgerald, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Ian Crocker, American swimmer Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Chris Duhon, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Lien Huyghebaert, Belgian sprinter Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Christopher Katongo, Zambian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Josh Kroeger, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Alexei Mikhnov, Ukrainian-Russian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Pepe Reina, Spanish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Michele Rugolo, Italian race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — G. Willow Wilson, American journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Ahmad Al Harthy, Omani race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Dwayne Peel, Welsh rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Steve Saviano, American ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Joe Budden, American rapper Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Clay Hensley, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Mark Johnston, Canadian swimmer Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Simon Neil, Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Yuvan Shankar Raja, Indian singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Ramón Santiago, Dominican baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Mickie James, American wrestler Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Philippe Christanval, French footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Ido Pariente, Israeli mixed martial artist and trainer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Craig Stapleton, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Sandis Valters, Latvian basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Morten Qvenild, Norwegian pianist and composer Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Jeff Hardy, American wrestler and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Ian Harte, Irish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Craig Nicholls, Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Vincent Delerm, French singer-songwriter and pianist Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Roque Júnior, Brazilian footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Radek Martínek, Czech ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Craig Cumming, New Zealand cricketer and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — John Grahame, American ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Andriy Medvedev, Ukrainian-Monacan tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Scott Niedermayer, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Pádraig Harrington, Irish golfer Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Vadim Repin, Belgian-Russian violinist Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Chris Tucker, American comedian and actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Debbie Gibson, American singer-songwriter, producer, and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Nikola Gruevski, Macedonian economist and politician, 6th Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Greg Mulholland, English politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Queen Rania of Jordan Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Arie van Lent, Dutch-German footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Zack Ward, Canadian actor and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Nathalie Bouvier, French skier Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Jonathan LaPaglia, Australian actor and physician Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Javagal Srinath, Indian cricketer and referee Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Valdon Dowiyogo, Nauruan politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Hideo Nomo, Japanese-American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Jolene Watanabe, American tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Gene Hoglan, American drummer Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Anita Moen, Norwegian skier Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Zsolt Borkai, Hungarian gymnast and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Susan Gritton, English soprano and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Raymond P. Hammond, American poet and critic Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Reb Beach, American guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Rituparno Ghosh, Indian actor, director, and screenwriter (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Sonny Silooy, Dutch footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Dee Bradley Baker, American voice actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Kieran Crowley, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Magnus Ilmjärv, Estonian historian and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Vali Ionescu, Romanian long jumper Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Chris Whitley, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Hassan Nasrallah, Lebanese politician, 3rd Secretary-General of Hezbollah Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Ralph Krueger, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Jessica Upshaw, American lawyer and politician (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Serge Blanco, Venezuelan-French rugby player and businessman Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Stephen Cottrell, English bishop Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Colm O'Rourke, Irish footballer and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Gina Schock, American rock drummer (The Go-Go's) Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Glenn Tilbrook, English singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Mária Balážová, Slovak painter and illustrator Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Masashi Tashiro, Japanese singer, actor, and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Aleksander Krupa, Polish-American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Julie Maxton, Scottish lawyer and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Edwin Moses, American hurdler Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Anthony Thistlethwaite, English saxophonist and bass player Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Gary Webb, American journalist and author (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Julie Brown, American actress and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Miguel Ángel Guerra, Argentinian race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — György Károly, Hungarian poet and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Pavel Vinogradov, Russian astronaut and engineer Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Kim Kashkashian, American viola player and educator Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Herbert Reul, German politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Grant Batty, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Sirje Tamul, Estonian historian, author, and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Richard Gere, American actor and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Hugh David Politzer, American physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Rick Roberts, American country-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Harald Ertl, Austrian race car driver and journalist (d. 1982) Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Lowell Ganz, American screenwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Ken McMullen, English director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Holger Osieck, German footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Rudolf Schenker, German guitarist and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Italian businessman Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Yumiko Ōshima, Japanese author and illustrator Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Somchai Wongsawat, Thai lawyer and politician, 26th Prime Minister of Thailand Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Ann Coffey, Scottish social worker and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Jerome Corsi, American theorist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Tom Coughlin, American football player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Van Morrison, Northern Irish singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Itzhak Perlman, Israeli-American violinist and conductor Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Bob Welch, American singer and guitarist (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Roger Dean, English illustrator and publisher Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Liz Forgan, English journalist Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Christine King, English historian and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Clive Lloyd, Guyanese cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Leonid Ivashov, Russian general Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Isao Aoki, Japanese golfer Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — William DeWitt, Jr., American businessman Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — Emmanuel Nunes, Portuguese-French composer and educator (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Robbie Basho, American guitarist, pianist, and composer (d. 1986) Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Wilton Felder, American saxophonist and bass player (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Larry Hankin, American actor, director, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Roger Newman, English-American actor and screenwriter (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Jack Thompson, Australian actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Jerry Allison, American drummer and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Martin Bell, English journalist and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Warren Berlinger, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Bobby Parker, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Vladimir Orlov, Russian journalist and author (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Eldridge Cleaver, American activist and author (d. 1998) Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Bryan Organ, English painter Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Frank Robinson, American baseball player and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Allan Fotheringham, Canadian journalist Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Roy Castle, English dancer, singer, comedian, actor, television presenter and musician (d. 1994) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Jean Béliveau, Canadian ice hockey player (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Noble Willingham, American actor (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Big Tiny Little, American pianist (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — James Coburn, American actor (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Jaime Sin, Filipino cardinal (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — Moran Campbell, English-Canadian physician and academic, invented the venturi mask (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — Maurice Pialat, French actor and director (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — John Davidson, American physician and politician (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Buddy Hackett, American actor and singer (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Herbert Wise, Austrian-English director and producer (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗

📅 National Days on August 31 (Calendar.cx)

Also observed on August 31

🏛️ Public Holidays

Also in: Hari Kebangsaan (MY) · National Heroes Day (PH) · Summer Bank Holiday (GB)

✡️ Religious Observances

• Islamic: Urs of Shaykh Adnān Kabbāni ق