August 31 has witnessed a remarkable array of historical events that span centuries and continents. From the launch of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1803 to the tragic passing of Princess Diana in 1997, this date holds stories of exploration, loss, and cultural shifts. Significant births and groundbreaking innovations also mark its legacy. Curious about the full spectrum of moments? There’s much more to uncover.
History
Major Historical Events
1803 – Lewis and Clark Expedition Begins: On this day, Meriwether Lewis set out from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, marking the unofficial start of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and find a route to the Pacific Ocean.
Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, the journey would become a landmark event in American history, opening up the West for exploration and settlement.
1888 – Jack the Ripper’s First Victim Discovered: In London’s Whitechapel district, the body of Mary Ann Nichols was found, marking the first confirmed murder attributed to the infamous serial killer known as Jack the Ripper.
This gruesome discovery sparked widespread fear and fascination, as the identity of the killer remains a mystery to this day.
1939 – Nazi Germany Stages Gleiwitz Incident: As a pretext for invading Poland, Nazi forces staged a fake attack on a German radio station in Gleiwitz, blaming Polish forces for the assault.
This fabricated incident was used by Adolf Hitler to justify the invasion of Poland the following day, effectively igniting World War II.
1997 – Princess Diana’s Tragic Death: Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car crash in Paris, France, while being pursued by paparazzi.
Her death at the age of 36 shocked the world, leading to an outpouring of grief and intense media scrutiny over issues of privacy and the role of the press.
2006 – Edvard Munch’s Paintings Recovered: Two stolen masterpieces by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, including “The Scream,” were recovered by police in Norway.
The paintings had been stolen in a daring daytime robbery from the Munch Museum in Oslo two years earlier, and their recovery was a significant moment for the art world.
Famous Birthdays
12 – Caligula, Roman Emperor: Born on this day in Antium (modern-day Anzio, Italy), Caligula, whose real name was Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, would become one of Rome’s most infamous emperors.
Known for his erratic behavior and cruelty, his reign from 37 to 41 AD remains a subject of historical debate.
1870 – Maria Montessori: The Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, Italy.
She developed the Montessori Method of education, emphasizing child-led learning and hands-on activities, which continues to influence schools worldwide.
1945 – Van Morrison: The legendary Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison was born in Belfast.
Known for timeless hits like “Brown Eyed Girl” and albums like “Astral Weeks,” Morrison’s blend of rock, blues, and soul has earned him a lasting place in music history.
1972 – Chris Tucker: American actor and comedian Chris Tucker was born in Atlanta, Georgia.
Best known for his roles in the “Rush Hour” film series alongside Jackie Chan, Tucker’s high-energy comedic style has made him a household name.
1982 – Pepe Reina: Spanish footballer José Manuel “Pepe” Reina was born in Madrid.
A celebrated goalkeeper, Reina has played for top clubs like Liverpool and Bayern Munich, earning acclaim for his skill and contributions to Spain’s national team.
Notable Deaths
1422 – King Henry V of England: The English monarch, known for his military successes during the Hundred Years’ War, including the victory at Agincourt, died on this day at the age of 35 in Vincennes, France, likely from dysentery.
His death left his infant son, Henry VI, as king, ushering in a period of instability.
1969 – Rocky Marciano: The undefeated American heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano tragically died in a plane crash near Newton, Iowa, on the eve of his 46th birthday.
With a perfect record of 49-0, Marciano remains an icon in the sport of boxing.
1997 – Princess Diana: As previously mentioned, Diana, Princess of Wales, passed away on this day in a tragic car accident in Paris.
Her humanitarian work and personal struggles endeared her to millions, and her death remains one of the most widely mourned events in modern history.
Today in Music History
1963 – The Ronettes Release “Be My Baby”: The iconic girl group The Ronettes released their hit single “Be My Baby,” produced by Phil Spector.
The song, with its signature “Wall of Sound” production, became a defining track of the 1960s and influenced countless artists.
1969 – Bob Dylan’s Surprise Performance: After a period of relative seclusion following a motorcycle accident, Bob Dylan made a surprise appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival in England.
Backed by The Band, his performance marked a significant return to the public stage.
1987 – Michael Jackson Releases “Bad”: Michael Jackson’s album “Bad” hit the shelves on this day, following the massive success of “Thriller.”
Featuring hits like the title track and “The Way You Make Me Feel,” it solidified Jackson’s status as the King of Pop.
Today in Sports History
1880 – First U.S. Tennis Championships: The inaugural U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association tournament, now known as the US Open, began in Newport, Rhode Island.
This event laid the foundation for one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world.
1950 – Gil Hodges Hits Four Home Runs: Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman Gil Hodges made history by hitting four home runs in a single game against the Boston Braves, becoming one of the few players to achieve this feat in Major League Baseball history.
1990 – Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr. Play Together: In a historic moment, Ken Griffey Jr. and his father, Ken Griffey Sr., became the first father-son duo to play in the same Major League Baseball game for the Seattle Mariners, showcasing a rare family legacy in sports.
2012 – Paralympic Games Open in London: Following the success of the 2012 Olympics, the Paralympic Games officially opened in London, featuring thousands of athletes from around the world and breaking records for attendance and global viewership.
Today in Military and Naval History
1864 – Battle of Jonesborough Begins: During the American Civil War, Union forces under General William T. Sherman engaged Confederate troops in the Battle of Jonesborough in Georgia.
This battle was a key part of the Atlanta Campaign, leading to the eventual fall of Atlanta.
1942 – Battle of Alam el Halfa Begins: In North Africa during World War II, Allied forces under General Bernard Montgomery repelled an attack by German and Italian troops led by Erwin Rommel in Egypt.
This battle marked a turning point in the North African campaign.
1943 – USS Harmon Commissioned: The U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Harmon, a destroyer escort named after Leonard Roy Harmon, a Mess Attendant who died heroically during the Battle of Guadalcanal.
It was one of the first ships named for an African American.
Today in Tech and Science History
1887 – Thomas Edison Patents the Kinetoscope: Thomas Edison received a patent for the Kinetoscope, an early motion picture exhibition device.
This invention paved the way for the development of modern cinema, though it was initially designed for individual viewing.
1955 – First Solar-Powered Car Demonstrated: William G. Cobb of General Motors showcased the “Sunmobile,” a small model car powered by solar energy, at the General Motors Powerama in Chicago.
This demonstration highlighted early interest in renewable energy.
1995 – eBay Founded: Pierre Omidyar launched AuctionWeb, which would later become eBay, on this day as a side project.
The online marketplace grew into a global phenomenon, revolutionizing how people buy and sell goods.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1928 – “The Threepenny Opera” Premieres: Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s groundbreaking musical “The Threepenny Opera” premiered in Berlin, Germany.
Its satirical take on society and memorable songs like “Mack the Knife” made it a cultural milestone.
1957 – “On the Road” Published: Jack Kerouac’s seminal novel “On the Road” was published by Viking Press.
A defining work of the Beat Generation, it captured the spirit of post-war American youth and inspired countless readers.
1997 – Netflix Founded: Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph founded Netflix as a DVD rental-by-mail service in Scotts Valley, California.
What began as a small operation would transform into a streaming giant, reshaping entertainment.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1886 – First Recorded Earthquake in the U.S. East Coast: A powerful earthquake struck Charleston, South Carolina, causing significant damage and killing around 60 people.
What’s unusual is that the East Coast rarely experiences such seismic activity, making this a surprising event in American history.
1935 – Man Walks Tightrope Over Niagara Falls: In a bizarre stunt, a man named William Ivy Baldwin walked a tightrope over the Whirlpool Rapids of Niagara Falls, a daring and odd feat that captivated onlookers and added to the lore of the famous natural wonder.
Today in History for Kids
1803 – Lewis and Clark’s Big Adventure Starts: Imagine setting off to explore a huge, unknown land!
That’s what Meriwether Lewis did on this day when he started the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
They traveled across America to learn about new places, animals, and people.
1870 – Maria Montessori’s Birthday: A very smart lady named Maria Montessori was born on this day.
She came up with fun ways for kids to learn by playing and exploring, and many schools still use her ideas today.
1955 – A Tiny Solar Car: A man showed off a super small car called the “Sunmobile” that ran on sunlight instead of gas.
It was just a model, but it showed how we could use the sun to power things in the future.
1997 – Netflix Begins: A company called Netflix started on this day, letting people rent movies through the mail.
Now, it’s a place where you can watch tons of shows and movies on your TV or computer!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1888 – Jack the Ripper Mystery Begins: The first of Jack the Ripper’s murders happened on this day in London, and over 130 years later, no one knows who the killer really was.
It’s one of history’s biggest unsolved mysteries.
1950 – A Baseball Record for Gil Hodges: Did you know a baseball player named Gil Hodges hit four home runs in just one game on this day?
That’s super rare, and only a handful of players have ever done it.
1990 – Father and Son in Baseball: Ken Griffey Jr. and his dad, Ken Griffey Sr., played in the same baseball game together for the Seattle Mariners.
It’s not every day you see a family team up like that in professional sports.
2006 – Stolen Art Found: Two famous paintings by Edvard Munch, including “The Scream,” were found on this day after being stolen.
Imagine losing something so valuable and then getting it back after two years!