On This Day - August 31st
For many of us, August 31st can really feel like the last day of summer! However, there’s plenty to celebrate about this often overlooked day – and let’s face it, fall is a great season all on its own. In the meantime, take a look through our picks of historical facts, figures, and celebrity birthdays for August 31st – and congratulations if you’re celebrating already, too!
On this day
The Ripper took his first victim.
In 1888, the body of Mary Ann Nichols was found in Whitechapel, in London. It was determined that she was Jack the Ripper’s first victim – and to this day, no one is quite sure who the Ripper was, nor what his motive may have been.
The Troubles reached a ceasefire.
In 1994, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) finally declared a ceasefire in Northern Ireland. However, it wouldn’t be the end of the Troubles – as the Omagh bombing would occur four years later, with the Real IRA behind the massacre.
We said goodbye to Diana.
In 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car crash in Paris, allegedly under pursuit from paparazzi – alongside her partner, Dodi Al-Fayed. To this day she is known as the people’s princess, and many still mourn her death each August 31st.
Brazil’s President was impeached!
In 2016, a tumultuous year for global politics for several reasons, August 31st saw then-President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, removed from her position through impeachment. It emerged that Rousseff had used funds from the state to cover over a deficit in the governmental budget ahead of her being re-elected in 2014.
Special Days Falling on August 31st
On this final day of the month, we understand if you want to celebrate! So, why not consider some of the things people all over the world are commemorating today?
Birth Anniversary of President Ramon Magsaysay
Every August 31st is celebrated as the birth anniversary of President Ramon Magsaysay in the Philippines. Magsaysay was considered an exceptional politician and serviceman – and to this day, the people in the Philippines remember him and his services to the country by celebrating at the end of August.
Malaysia Independence Day
In Malaysia, August 31st is popularly known as “Hari Merdeka” in Malay, or simply Malaysian National Day. The day celebrates the Malayan Declaration of Independence back in 1957. Celebrations usually start from the beginning of August, meaning that Malaysians typically celebrate an independence month!
Kyrgyzstan Independence Day
Speaking of independence, August 31st is also Kyrgyzstan’s Independence Day! It is a national holiday in Kyrgyzstan, as the day commemorates the founding of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan after the breaking up of the USSR. It’s a date shared with Uzbekistan, too, as their neighbors also broke away from the Soviet Union on the same date.
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This page was last modified on August 24, 2023. Suggest an edit
This month in history
Singapore left Malaysia! In 1965, after having joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963, Singapore broke away and gained independence due to disagreements between the leaders.
Famous Birthdays on August 31st
If you were born on August 31st…
… that would make you a Virgo! You’re in luck, as being a Virgo makes you pretty loyal, generally rather sensible, and someone people can rely on. That said, you are known to sway towards perfectionism, and can struggle to let projects go. Virgos are creative and hard-working, and aren’t afraid to really put the overtime in to make sure everything goes according to plan.
If you’d like to learn even more about yourself according to the Western Zodiac, head over to our Virgo facts page (and we’ll break it all down for you).
