On This Day - August 30th
It’s pretty hard to believe we’re coming to the end of August and the start of September already! But, there’s still plenty of time to learn about some historical facts, celebrity birthdays, and special occasions people are celebrating all over the world. Feast your eyes on the following!
On this day
European leaders tried to make a big change.
In 1146, European leaders actually outlawed the crossbow, with the idea being that it would help end war forever. A valiant effort, but alas… war persisted.
The Battle of Lake Poyang began.
In 1363, when two rebel leaderships in China – headed up by Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Youliang – faced off against each other, the Battle of Lake Poyang began. It was considered one of the biggest naval battles of all time, with at least 1,346 men dead and 11,347 soldiers wounded as a result of the fighting.
Lenin survived a double shooting!
Vladimir Lenin, revolutionary leader of the Soviet Union, made plenty of enemies during his time at the head of the Russian government. In fact, some tried to assassinate him – and one such assailant shot Lenin twice on this day back in 1918, only for the leader to survive the attack. A 20th century Rasputin, it would seem!
India wanted its independence!
In 1928, Jawaharlal Nehru asked for Indian independence. It was eventually achieved, and India remains independent from Great Britain to this day – but as any historian specialized in Indian-British relations will tell you, this was a very long time coming. India’s separation from Great Britain marked an incredible split in the Empire!
Thurgood Marshall made history.
In 1967, Thurgood Marshall became a justice confirmed by the US Senate. He was the first African-American to reach such a position, helping to break down boundaries highly important within the civil rights movement.
Special Days Falling on August 30th
August 30th may seem like just another day to you, but for many people around the world, it is one of the most important dates of the year. Here are some of the reasons why.
Frankenstein Day
Every August 30th is Frankenstein Day, and as you might expect, it is a day on which we celebrate everything about this classic novel. The story, surrounding a mad scientist’s attempts to create life and the philosophical and societal struggles his “monster” experiences, shocked the world when it was published – and we have the-then 19-year-old Mary Shelley to thank.
International Cabernet Sauvignon Day
August 30th is also the day the world celebrates International Cabernet Sauvignon Day! Cabernet Sauvignon is a highly popular type of wine that’s said to date back all the way to the 17th century. As with Red Wine Day celebrated recently, raise a glass – but do so responsibly!
International Whale Shark Day
Whale sharks are the largest of their species on the planet – they can grow up to 60 feet (just over 18 meters) in length! The whale shark is known for its gentle and slow behavior, which may seem strange for a shark, but it’s true! Yet, people have cruelly fished and hunted them for a long time. That is why this date is so important to honor these majestic animals and learn more about why we need to protect them!
This page was last modified on August 4, 2024. Suggest an edit
This month in history
One of the most iconic music festivals of all time debuted in August 1969. The festival in question was Woodstock, which took place in Bethel, in New York state. 24 bands played to a crowd of over 300,000 people – resulting in an event that helped to shape the cultural period of the late 60s and early 70s in the US. Attempts to resurrect Woodstock in 1999 were, sadly, not as successful.
Famous Birthdays on August 30th
If you were born on August 30th…
…you’re a Virgo! You are very kind and compassionate. You lead with reason and logic, so you’re definitely the person to follow anywhere! If you’d like to follow your own lead and learn more about what makes Virgos tick, take a look at our fact file for the full details.
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