Major events recorded on August 31
August 31 marks events including international treaties, prominent deaths, political developments and major disasters.
Nicosia, Cyprus. August 31 has been marked by major international agreements, political developments, cultural milestones, disasters and the deaths of prominent figures.
International agreements and political developments
In 1907, Britain and Russia signed the Anglo-Russian Convention in St Petersburg, settling differences over Persia, Afghanistan and Tibet.
In 1990, East and West Germany signed a treaty to harmonise their legal and political systems ahead of their merger on October 3.
Deaths and disasters
In 1969, former world heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano was killed in an air crash in Iowa.
In 1997, Britain’s Princess Diana and her companion Dodi Al Fayed were killed in a car crash in Paris.
In 2002, American jazz musician Lionel Hampton died aged 94. Hampton pioneered and popularised the vibraphone and worked with numerous jazz performers during a career spanning six decades.
In 2005, Polish-born British scientist Joseph Rotblat died aged 96. Rotblat worked on the atomic bomb before becoming a leading campaigner against nuclear weapons and winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
Also in 2005, about 1,000 Iraqi Shi’ites died in a stampede on a Tigris River bridge in Baghdad after rumours spread that a suicide bomber was about to detonate explosives.
Other events
In 1989, Britain’s Princess Anne and her husband, Captain Mark Phillips, separated after 16 years of marriage.
In 2003, the world’s longest television made its debut at Hong Kong’s Shatin race track.
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