Written by Michael
Modified & Updated: 01 Jul 2023
Reviewed by Sherman Smith
August 14th has been a witness to a wide array of historical events, milestones, and notable occurrences. This date has seen significant happenings in politics, science, culture, and sports. In this article, we will delve into some of the most remarkable events and facts that took place on August 14th throughout history.
Historical Events
1040: King Duncan I of Scotland was killed in battle against his first cousin and rival, Macbeth. The exact location of the battle is unknown, but it is believed to have taken place near the town of Elgin, in northeastern Scotland. Macbeth became the new King of Scotland and ruled for 17 years. The story of King Duncan’s death and Macbeth’s rise to power has been immortalized in literature, most notably in William Shakespeare‘s play “Macbeth”.
1842: The Second Seminole War, fought between the United States and the Seminole tribe, came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Fort Moultrie. The treaty forced the Seminole tribe to relocate to the Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma.
1936: Rainey Bethea was hanged in Owensboro, Kentucky in the last public execution in the United States. The execution was marked by controversy and scandal. The scaffold collapsed as Bethea was being hanged, causing him to fall to the ground and break his neck. There were also allegations that the sheriff had allowed members of the public to take souvenirs from the scaffold after the execution. The event sparked a national conversation about the use of the death penalty and public executions. This eventually led to changes in laws and attitudes toward capital punishment.
Political Milestones
1935: The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, creating the Social Security system in the United States. The act establishes a social insurance program designed to provide financial assistance to the elderly, disabled, and unemployed.
1945: The Japanese government notified the Allies that it has accepted the Potsdam Declaration. The Declaration called for the unconditional surrender of Japan and outlined the terms of the surrender. Following months of devastating military losses for Japan, including the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan finally decided to accept the Declaration.
1947: Pakistan gained independence from British rule and was declared a sovereign nation. The new country was formed as a result of the partition of British India. This eventually also led to the creation of modern-day India.
Technological Advancements
1966: Lunar Obitar 1 began its orbit around the Moon. As the first US lunar orbiter, the spacecraft was launched by NASA on August 10, 1966. It was the first in a series of five Lunar Orbiter missions. These missions were designed to photograph the Moon’s surface and provide detailed information about potential landing sites for the upcoming Apollo missions. The spacecraft remained in orbit around the Moon for 10 months before being deliberately crashed into the lunar surface.
Cultural Events
1985: Michael Jackson purchased ATV Music, one of the largest music publishing companies in the world, for a reported $47.5 million. The move gave Jackson control over the publishing rights to thousands of hit songs, including those of The Beatles. Jackson’s ownership of ATV Music proved to be a lucrative investment. He later sold a portion of the catalog to Sony for a reported $150 million, but retained a 50% stake in the company.
1990: The city of Denver voted to implement a 1% sales tax to attract a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise to the city. This paved the way for the establishment of the Colorado Rockies, a new MLB team. The initiative was seen as a significant investment in the future of the city, as it was believed that the presence of a professional sports franchise would bring economic benefits and help to boost the city’s profile. Today, the team has also helped to solidify Denver’s reputation as a major sports town.
1995: Oasis and Blur released singles on the same day, the culmination of a heated rivalry that would come to be known as the “Battle of Britpop”. As two of the biggest bands in British pop music, Oasis and Blur had been engaged in a friendly rivalry for some time, but tensions reached a fever pitch on August 14th, 1995. Despite being the underdog, Blur managed to win the battle. Its single, “Country House” debuted at number one on the UK charts, ahead of Oasis’ “Roll with It”, which debuted at number two.
Notable Birthdays
- John Galsworthy (1867–1933) – An English novelist and playwright. Galsworthy is best known for his Forsyte Saga, a series of novels and interludes that chronicle the lives of an upper-middle-class English family from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
- David Crosby (1941–2023) – An American singer-songwriter and musician. He was best known as a founding member of the folk rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Crosby’s distinctive voice and songwriting contributions have made him an influential figure in the music industry. He has released solo albums and has been involved in various musical collaborations throughout his career.
- Steve Martin (1945) – An American actor, comedian, and writer. Martin is known for his comedic talent, which spans across film, television, and stand-up. Some of his most memorable films include “The Jerk”, “Roxanne”, and “Father of the Bride”.
- Magic Johnson (1959) – An American basketball player and entrepreneur. Johnson, a five-time NBA champion and three-time MVP, is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
- Sarah Brightman (1960) – An English classical crossover soprano and actress. She gained international fame for her powerful and emotive singing voice. Brightman has released numerous successful albums, including “Time to Say Goodbye” with Andrea Bocelli, which became one of the best-selling singles of all time. She has also performed in various musical theater productions, such as “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Cats”.
- Halle Berry (1966) – An American actress and former fashion model. Berry has appeared in numerous films, including “X-Men”, “Die Another Day”, and “Monster’s Ball”, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress.
- Mila Kunis (1983) – An American actress who gained popularity for her role as Jackie Burkhart in the television series “That ’70s Show”. She has since appeared in several successful films, including “Black Swan”, “Friends with Benefits”, and “Bad Moms”. Kunis has received critical acclaim for her performances and has established herself as a prominent figure in Hollywood.
Final Word
From ancient battles to significant advancements in technology, culture, and sports, August 14th has been a witness to many pivotal moments throughout history. As we reflect on the events of August 14th, we are reminded of the interconnectedness of our global history and the fascinating stories that continue to unfold with each passing day.
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