Sir William Wallace is executed for his high treason in London.
22 August 1972
Rhodesia is expelled by the International Olympic Committee for its racist policies. The International’ Olympic Committee withdrew its invitation to Rhodesia to compete in the…
21 August 1991
A coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev fails. Just three days after it began, the coup against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev collapses. Despite his success in…
20 August 1866
The USA, President Andrew Johnson declares the American Civil War over. The highest-ranking Confederate general, Robert E Lee, surrendered to his opposing number, Ulysses S…
19 August 1934
The first All American Soap Box Derby is held in Dayton, Ohio. The first Soap Box Derby was organized by Myron E. “Scottie” Scott, a…
18 August 1868
The French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium. Pierre Janssen, French astronomer who in 1868 discovered the chemical element helium and how to observe solar prominences…
17 August 2005
Forced evacuation of settlers first begins, as part of Israeli disengagement from Gaza. The Israeli disengagement from Gaza, also known as “Gaza expulsion” and “Hitnatkut”,…
16 August 1960
Cyprus is given its independence from the United Kingdom. Cyprus gained independence from the United Kingdom on August 16, 1960, but the agreements that led…
15 August 1483
The Sistine Chapel is consecrated by Pope Sixtus IV. The Sistine Chapel is a chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope,…
14 August 2007
Bombings in Kahtaniya kills at least 334 people. The 2007 Yazidi communities bombings occurred at around 7:20 pm local time on August 14, 2007, when…