As the world progresses, several events unfold. Some of these events must be used as lessons for current situations that we witness. In this blog, let’s revisit the major incidents that occurred on this day in history- August 31.
What Happened in India on August 31?
1751: British troops occupy Arcot, India
The Siege of Arcot took place at Arcot, India between forces of the British East India Company led by Robert Clive and forces of Nawab of the Carnatic, Chanda Sahib, assisted by a small number of troops from the French East India Company.
1956: States Reorganisation Bill
The President of India gave his consent to the States Reorganisation Bill, making it the States Reorganisation Act.
1993: Pranab Mukherjee rejoined the Union cabinet
Pranab Mukherjee rejoined the Union cabinet as commerce commissioner.
1977: Lok Sabha created history
Lok Sabha created history with its largest-ever sitting of about 22 hours for a special golden jubilee session debating issues of national importance.
What Happened Around the Globe on August 31?
1745: Bonnie Prince Charlie
Bonnie Prince Charlie reaches Blair Castle, Scotland.
1837: “The American Scholar” speech
Ralph Waldo Emerson gave his famous “The American Scholar” speech to the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Harvard College and declared American literary independence from Europe.
1864: Atlanta Campaign
The Battle of Jonesboro Georgia ended with 1900 casualties.
1888: Mary Ann Nichols
The mutilated body of Mary Ann Nichols was discovered in the Whitechapel district of London’s East End, and many believe she was the first victim of Jack the Ripper.
1897: Thomas Edison patents the Kinetoscope
Thomas Edison patented the Kinetoscope [kinetographic camera], a device that produces moving pictures.
1978: Constitution adopted by Sri Lanka.
The new Constitution promulgated on 7 September 1978, provided for a unicameral parliament and an Executive President was adopted by Sri Lanka.
1966: Harrier “jump-jet”
The Harrier “jump-jet” fighter bomber made its first flight.
1991: Independence for Uzbekistan
On August 31, 1991, Uzbekistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union.
1994: Pentium computer as the chess champion
Pentium computer beats world chess champion, Garry Kasparov.
1997: Princess Diana dies in a car crash
In the early hours of 31 August 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, died from the injuries she sustained in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris.
2006: “The Scream” painting recovered
Stolen on August 22, 2004, Edvard Munch’s famous painting “The Scream” was recovered from a raid by Norwegian police in a better-than-expected condition.
2009: The Walt Disney and Marvel Entertainment
The Walt Disney Company announced it will acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4.24 billion.
2016: President Dilma Rousseff’s impeachment
Brazilian Senate votes to impeach President Dilma Rousseff, removing her from office.
2020: COVID-19
On August 31, 2020, US cases of COVID-19 passed 6 million with 183,300 deaths.
Famous Birthdays
1970: Rania al-Abdullah, Queen of Jordan.
1949: Richard Gere, American actor and humanitarian.
1945: Van Morrison, Irish singer-songwriter.
1569: Jahāngīr, Emperor of India.
161: Commodus, Roman emperor.
This was all about this day in History August 31. Hope you’re now familiar with the major events that took place on August 31. For more blogs like these and regular abroad education updates, stay tuned to Leverage Edu.