August 31 in History

Historical Events on August 31

1864 During the American Civil War, Union forces led by General William T. Sherman launch an assault on Atlanta.

1920 Polish-Soviet War: A decisive Polish victory in the Battle of Komarów.

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.

1941 World War II: Serbian paramilitary forces defeat Germans in the Battle of Loznica.

1962 Trinidad and Tobago becomes independent.

1986 The Soviet passenger liner Admiral Nakhimov sinks in the Black Sea after colliding with the bulk carrier Pyotr Vasev, killing 423.

1993 Russia completes removing its troops from Lithuania.

1996 Saddam Hussein's troops seized Irbil after the Kurdish Masoud Barzani appealed for help to defeat his Kurdish rival PUK.

1997 Diana, Princess of Wales, her companion Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul die in a car crash in Paris.

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Famous Birthdays on August 31

1945 Van Morrison

1977 Jeff Hardy

1979 Mickie James

1983 Larry Fitzgerald

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Famous Deaths on August 31

1920 Wilhelm Wundt

1927 Andranik

1973 John Ford

1997 Diana, Princess of Wales

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