On This Day: August 31

August 31 marks a diverse array of historical milestones, ranging from the rise of monarchs and the shifting of borders to natural disasters and moments of profound cultural impact. Below are several significant events that have occurred on this day throughout history.

1422 — Accession of King Henry VI

Following the death of his father, King Henry V, the eight-month-old Henry VI ascended to the English throne. He remains the youngest person to ever inherit the crown of England.

1795 — Capture of Trincomalee

During the War of the First Coalition, British forces successfully captured the strategic port of Trincomalee in present-day Sri Lanka from Dutch control, marking a significant shift in colonial influence in the region.

1798 — First Bank Robbery in the United States

The first recorded bank robbery in American history took place at the Bank of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where thieves made off with a substantial sum of money.

1864 — Evacuation of Atlanta

During the American Civil War, Confederate forces began their evacuation of Atlanta, Georgia, as Union troops under the command of General William Tecumseh Sherman tightened their grip on the city.

1868 — Bahá’u’lláh Arrives in ‘Akká

Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, arrived in the city of ‘Akká, located in modern-day Israel, after being exiled by the Ottoman Empire.

1886 — Charleston Earthquake

A powerful earthquake, estimated to have a magnitude of up to 7.3, struck near Charleston, South Carolina. The disaster resulted in over 100 deaths and caused widespread destruction across the city.

1888 — First Victim of Jack the Ripper

Mary Ann Nichols was discovered in Whitechapel, London. Her death is widely considered by historians to be the first of the canonical murders attributed to the unidentified serial killer known as Jack the Ripper.

1897 — Patenting of the Kinetoscope

Thomas Edison received a patent for the Kinetoscope, an early motion picture exhibition device designed for individual viewing through a peephole, which helped pave the way for the modern film industry.

1957 — Independence of Malaya

The Federation of Malaya officially gained its independence from the United Kingdom, marking the end of British colonial rule and the birth of a new sovereign nation in Southeast Asia.

1994 — Russian Troops Withdraw from Estonia

The final contingent of Russian military forces completed their withdrawal from Estonia, ending a long-standing presence that had persisted since the end of World War II.

1997 — Death of Diana, Princess of Wales

Diana, Princess of Wales, died following a high-speed car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris, France. Her passing triggered a massive, global outpouring of public grief.

2005 — Destiny's Child Honored

The American musical group Destiny's Child was officially recognized as the best-selling female group of all time, having sold more than 50 million records globally by that date.

2023 — Sentencing of Proud Boys Leaders

Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl, two leaders of the organization known as the Proud Boys, were sentenced to 17 years and 15 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in the January 6, 2021, assault on the United States Capitol.