TODAY IN HISTORY AUGUST 31

THE HISTORY OF AUGUST 31

WORLD EVENTS

Today is National Outside Day and National Trail Mix Day

1865  The federal government estimated the Civil War cost $8 billion – one million wounded or killed

1887  A patent was issued to Thomas Edison for the motion picture camera

1924  Comedian Buddy Hackett was born

1928  Actor James Coburn was born

1942  The Bethesda Naval Hospital was dedicated by FDR

1949  Actor Richard Gere was born – “Pretty Woman”

1955  The first sun powered automobile was demonstrated in Chicago by William Cobb

1961  A concrete wall replaced barbed wire fence between East and West Germany – the Berlin Wall

1964  California officially became the most populated state

1972  Comedian Chris Tucker was born

1988  A five day blackout of downtown Seattle began

1990  East and West Germany signed a treaty harmonizing the political and legal system

1994  A ceasefire was declared by the Irish Republican Army after 25 years of bloodshed

1997  Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris

1998  “Titanic” became the first movie in North America to gross $600 million

2004  Wildfires in the state of Alaska during July and August destroyed over 5 million acres of land

2006  Summer (June through August) ended with an average temperature of 74.5 degrees – only 1936 was slightly hotter

2008  “The Dark Night” became the second movie to top $500 million at the domestic box office – “Titanic” still #1 at $600 million

SPORTS HISTORY on AUGUST 31

2005  Jeremy Hermida of Florida makes his MLB debut – came in as a pinch hitter and hit a grand slam – in the same game Albert Pujols got his 100^th RBI – 4^th in MLB history to do so in first 5 years

2004  Cleveland beats NYY 22-0 – had 22 hits

2003  Alex Rodriguez hits his 40^th HR – 2^nd player in MLB history with four straight 40 HR seasons – Babe Ruth

1998  Oakland’s Rickey Henderson scores his 2,000^th run – only 6^th player in MLB history to do so – Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Pete Rose, and Willie Mays

1996  Marlins score 5 runs in the 1^st inning vs. Reds – lose 22-8

1993  Orioles Mike Mussina strikes out 6 straight Angels

1990  Dennis Eckersley gets his 40^th save of the season – only one of three to ever do it twice – Dan Quisenberry and Jeff Reardon

1982  NY Mets lose their 15^th game in a row – will win tomorrow

1974  NYY Get 25 hits in a 18-6 win over Chicago

1968  NY Mets pitcher Jim McAndrew loses his NL record tying 5^th shutout loss of the season – ends season with a 4-7 record and a 2.28 ERA

1959  Sandy Koufax sets NL record with 18 strikeouts – also sets MLB record with 31 over 2 consecutive starts

1954  Indians win their 18^th game of the month

1950  Gil Hodges its 4 HRs in a Brooklyn 19-3 win

1917  Babe Ruth wins his 20^th game of the year

#1 SONGS on AUGUST 31

1960  It’s Now or Never – Elvis Presley

1963  My Boyfriend’s Back – The Angels

1964  Where Did Our Love Go – The Supremes

1965  Help – The Beatles

1966  Sunshine Superman - Donovan

1967  Ode to Billie Joe – Bobbie Gentry

1968  People Got to Be Free – The Rascals

1969  Honky Tonk Woman – The Rolling Stones

1970  War – Edwin Starr

1971  Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey – Paul & Linda McCartney

1972  Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) – Looking Glass

1973  Brother Louie - Stories

1974  Having My Baby – Paul Anka with Odia Coates

1975  Rhinestone Cowboy – Glen Campbell

1976  You Should Be Dancing – The Bee Gees

1977  Best of My Love – The Emotions

1979  My Sharona – The Knack

1980  Upside Down – Diana Ross

1981  Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

1982  Abracadabra – Steve Miller Band

1983  Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – The Eurythmics

1984  What’s Love Got to Do With It – Tina Turner

1985  The Power of Love – Huey Lewis & the News

1987  La Bamba – Los Lobos

1989  Cold Hearted – Paula Abdul

1991  Every Thing I Do – Bryan Adams

1992  End of the Road – Boyz II Men

1994  I’ll Make Love to You – Boyz II Men

1995  You Are Not Alone – Michael Jackson

1996  Macarena – Los Del Rio