On This Day in History

Explore This Day in History

Events, birthdays and milestones for any date — sourced from Wikipedia.

Latest Articles

A new history article is published every day covering one significant event from the past. Each post explores the causes, key figures, immediate impact, and the legacy that still resonates in the world today.

How Did the Strathfield Massacre Unfold?
August 17, 2026

How Did the Strathfield Massacre Unfold?

Taxi driver Wade Frankum killed seven people and injured six others in a shooting rampage at Strathfield Plaza in Sydney before committing suicide.

Read More
How did Ub Iwerks create the first color sound cartoon?
August 16, 2026

How did Ub Iwerks create the first color sound cartoon?

On August 16, 1930, Ub Iwerks released Fiddlesticks, the first color sound cartoon.

Read More
How Did the August 2013 Beirut Bombing Unfold?
August 15, 2026

How Did the August 2013 Beirut Bombing Unfold?

At least 27 people killed and 226 injured in a car bomb explosion near a Hezbollah complex in southern Beirut, Lebanon in 2013, amid sectarian tensions…

Read More
How Did the Haitian Revolution Unfold?
August 14, 2026

How Did the Haitian Revolution Unfold?

On August 14, 1791, enslaved people from Saint-Domingue plantations gathered at Bois Caïman for a Vodou ceremony led by Dutty Boukman.

Read More
How Did the Battle Of Lewisham Unfold?
August 13, 2026

How Did the Battle Of Lewisham Unfold?

Background In the mid-1970s, New Cross and surrounding areas of South London became the focus of intense and sometimes violent political activity by neo…

Read More
What led to the 1994 baseball strike?
August 12, 2026

What led to the 1994 baseball strike?

The 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike began on August 12, 1994, and resulted in the remainder of that season, including the postseason and the World…

Read More
How Did the 1520 Sedgwick Avenue Unfold?
August 11, 2026

How Did the 1520 Sedgwick Avenue Unfold?

On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc hosted a house party at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in The Bronx, New York, an event widely considered to mark the birthplace…

Read More
How Did the Marikana Massacre Unfold?
August 10, 2026

How Did the Marikana Massacre Unfold?

The Marikana massacre began near Rustenburg, South Africa, as a six-week wildcat strike at the Lonmin platinum mine on August 10, 2012, resulting in the deaths of 34…

Read More

Our blog

Explore the Blog

Visit the Blog

Featured Today

Find out what happened on this day in history through today's featured event, latest article, notable birthday, and notable death. Each card opens the complete history page.

Today event image

Today's Events

Historical events that happened on this day.

See All Historical Events
How Did the Strathfield Massacre Unfold?

How Did the Strathfield Massacre Unfold?

Taxi driver Wade Frankum killed seven people and injured six others in a shooting rampage at Strathfield Plaza in Sydney before committing suicide.

Read & Quiz
Robert De Niro, born on this day

Robert De Niro

Robert Anthony De Niro is an American actor and producer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation, he has received various accolades, including two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award as well as nominations for…

See everyone born today
Rattana Pestonji, died on this day

Rattana Pestonji

Rattana Pestonji was a Thai film director, producer, screenwriter and cinematographer and is regarded as the father of contemporary Thai film. Although his filmography was brief, his films placed Thai cinema on the world stage.

See everyone who died today

History in 60 Seconds

Short videos covering one significant historical event each, told through archival imagery and narration. A new video goes up every day alongside the daily article.

How Did the Strathfield Massacre Unfold?
YouTube Shorts

How Did the Strathfield Massacre Unfold?

Taxi driver Wade Frankum killed seven people and injured six others in a shooting rampa...

Watch
How did Ub Iwerks create the first color sound cartoon?
YouTube Shorts

How did Ub Iwerks create the first color sound cartoon?

On August 16, 1930, Ub Iwerks released Fiddlesticks, the first color sound cartoon.

Watch
How Did the Haitian Revolution Unfold?
YouTube Shorts

How Did the Haitian Revolution Unfold?

On August 14, 1791, enslaved people from Saint-Domingue plantations gathered at Bois Ca...

Watch
How Did the Battle Of Lewisham Unfold?
YouTube Shorts

How Did the Battle Of Lewisham Unfold?

Background In the mid-1970s, New Cross and surrounding areas of South London became the...

Watch
How Did the Marikana Massacre Unfold?
YouTube Shorts

How Did the Marikana Massacre Unfold?

The Marikana massacre began near Rustenburg, South Africa, as a six-week wildcat strike...

Watch
How Did the Simele Massacre Unfold?
YouTube Shorts

How Did the Simele Massacre Unfold?

In August 1933, the army of the newly independent Kingdom of Iraq killed more than 3,00...

Watch
How Did Chains Contribute to Erwadi Fire Tragedy?
YouTube Shorts

How Did Chains Contribute to Erwadi Fire Tragedy?

On August 6, 2001, a fire incident occurred at the Moideen Badusha Mental Home in Erwad...

Watch
How Did the 2019 El Paso Walmart Shooting Unfold?
YouTube Shorts

How Did the 2019 El Paso Walmart Shooting Unfold?

Prior to the attack, Crusius left his grandparents' house in Allen, Texas, around midni...

Watch

Featured Videos

Watch Short History Videos

See All Videos

Explore History by Date

Click any date on the calendar to browse historical events, famous birthdays, and notable deaths from that day. Move between months to explore thousands of years of recorded history.

August

On This Day, August 17

  • 2019: A bomb explodes at a wedding in Kabul killing 63 people and leaving 182 injured.
  • 2017: Barcelona attacks: A van is driven into pedestrians in La Rambla, killing 14 and injuring at least 100.
  • 2015: A bomb explodes near the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, killing at least 19 people and injuring 123 others.
  • 2009: An accident at the Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam in Khakassia, Russia, kills 75 and shuts down the hydroelectric power station, leading to widespread power failure in the local area.
  • 2008: American swimmer Michael Phelps becomes the first person to win eight gold medals at one Olympic Games.

Explore Today in History

History runs on facts, and this project runs on coffee!

Your support is incredibly helpful and genuinely appreciated.

Support with a coffee