On This Day in History: August 28
August 28 is a day rich with historical significance, marking pivotal events that have shaped the world. From monumental moments in the civil rights movement to significant scientific discoveries and cultural milestones, this date serves as a powerful reminder of how history is made. Whether it's the powerful words of a legendary speech or the finalization of a royal separation, the events of August 28 continue to resonate today.
Key Events in History on August 28
On August 28, 1963, a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement took place with the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. A quarter of a million people gathered in the nation's capital, where civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. This powerful address called for an end to racial discrimination and became a defining moment of the 20th century.
Another notable event is the 1996 finalization of the divorce between Prince Charles and Princess Diana. This marked the end of a highly scrutinized marriage, capturing the attention of people worldwide and forever changing the public perception of the British royal family.
Birthdays and Anniversaries on August 28
This date also celebrates the birthdays of several influential figures. Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain, known for her groundbreaking contributions to country-pop music, was born on August 28, 1965. With over 100 million records sold, she remains one of the best-selling female artists of all time.
The birthday of American actor Jack Black is also on this day. Born in 1969, he is widely celebrated for his comedic roles in films like "School of Rock" and for being one-half of the rock band Tenacious D.
Other notable births include the German literary giant Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749) and American poet Rita Dove (1952), who was the youngest and first African American to be named U.S. Poet Laureate.
Timeline of Key moments in history:
Civil rights speech
Black American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr gave his most important speech to 250,000 people. His passionate “I have a dream…” speech called for an end to racial discrimination
Shania Twain
Canadian singer and songwriter. She brought country music to the masses, selling more than 100 million records.
More Notable Events
Flying car
Japanese technology company SkyDrive completed the first test flight of its new flying car. The electric vehicle was flown by a pilot over the Toyota Test Field
Steam power
A steam locomotive named Tom Thumb raced a horse-drawn railway car in the USA. The locomotive broke down and was overtaken by the horse, but onlookers were still impressed. The local railway company replaced its horses with locomotives within a year.
The Carrington Event
The strongest solar storm ever to hit Earth disrupted power supplies and telegraph networks
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) Machine
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine was first used to scan the body of a patient at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland.
Kenya introduced the world’s Strictest Measure Against Plastic Pollution
Kenya introduced the world’s strictest measure against plastic pollution – with anyone found using plastic bags facing four years in prison or a US$40,000 fine.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana's Divorce
The divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana was finalized on this date, marking the end of one of the most high-profile marriages in recent history.
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana, causing widespread devastation, particularly in New Orleans. The storm resulted in significant loss of life and property and highlighted issues related to disaster preparedness and response in the United States.
Births & Deaths
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A celebrated German writer, poet, and scientist, Goethe's most influential works include the novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther" (1774), which became a sensation and a key work of the literary movement known as Sturm und Drang. His masterpiece, however, is the two-part dramatic poem "Faust" (Part I, 1808; Part II, 1832), considered one of the greatest works of German literature.
Rita Dove
An American poet and author, Rita Dove won the Pulitzer Prize in poetry for her 1986 collection, "Thomas and Beulah". She also made history as the youngest person and first African American to be named Poet Laureate of the United States (1993-1995). Her poetry often explores historical themes and personal experiences, with notable collections including On the Bus with Rosa Parks and American Smooth.
Shania Twain
A Canadian country-pop superstar, Shania Twain is the best-selling female artist in country music history. Her 1997 album, "Come On Over", is the best-selling country album of all time and the best-selling album by a female artist in any genre. She is also the only artist to have three consecutive albums certified Diamond by the RIAA, a testament to the massive commercial success of albums like The Woman in Me and Up!
Jack Black
An American actor, comedian, and musician, Jack Black is known for his high-energy comedic performances. His breakout roles include the film "High Fidelity" (2000) and the lead in the widely praised "School of Rock" (2003). He also provided the voice for the main character in the popular "Kung Fu Panda" film series. As a musician, he is one-half of the comedy rock duo Tenacious D.
LeAnn Rimes
An American singer, LeAnn Rimes, rose to fame at age 13 with her debut single, "Blue" (1996), which earned her a Grammy for Best New Artist, making her the youngest Grammy winner ever. Her song "How Do I Live" (1997) is one of the longest-charting songs in Billboard Hot 100 history. She is known for her cross-genre success, including the hit "Can't Fight the Moonlight" from the film Coyote Ugly.