On This Day in History – August 28

August 28 marks a day of global transformation—from civil rights milestones to artistic births and significant moments in science and politics. Explore the events, lives, and stories that shaped this date in history.

Major Events

• 1833 – The Slavery Abolition Act receives royal assent in the UK, paving the way for the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire.
• 1922 – The first radio commercial airs on WEAF in New York City.
• 1955 – Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American boy, is abducted and murdered in Mississippi, sparking civil rights outrage.
• 1963 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his historic “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington.
• 1981 – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports a significant increase in rare cancer cases later associated with AIDS.
• 1988 – Ramstein air show disaster in Germany kills 70 people and injures hundreds during a mid-air collision.
• 1990 – Iraq declares Kuwait its 19th province after its invasion, escalating international tensions.
• 1996 – Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, officially divorce.
• 2003 – Power is restored in London after a major blackout affecting parts of the city and southeast England.
• 2017 – Hurricane Harvey causes catastrophic flooding in Houston, Texas.

Famous Birthdays

• 1749 – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German poet and philosopher (d. 1832)
• 1828 – Leo Tolstoy, Russian novelist and thinker (d. 1910)
• 1899 – Charles Boyer, French-American actor (d. 1978)
• 1916 – Jack Kirby, American comic book artist and Marvel co-creator (d. 1994)
• 1938 – Paul Martin, 21st Prime Minister of Canada
• 1943 – David Soul, American actor and singer
• 1965 – Shania Twain, Canadian country-pop singer
• 1969 – Jason Priestley, Canadian-American actor
• 1982 – LeAnn Rimes, American singer
• 1986 – Florence Welch, British singer (Florence + the Machine)

Notable Deaths

• 430 – Saint Augustine of Hippo, theologian and philosopher (b. 354)
• 1903 – Frederick Law Olmsted, American landscape architect (b. 1822)
• 1943 – Boris III of Bulgaria, King of Bulgaria (b. 1894)
• 1965 – Charles Coburn, American actor (b. 1877)
• 1972 – Prince William of Gloucester, British royal (b. 1941)
• 1991 – Alf Kjellin, Swedish actor and director (b. 1920)
• 2007 – Hilly Kristal, founder of CBGB music club (b. 1931)
• 2016 – Gene Wilder, American actor and screenwriter (b. 1933)
• 2020 – Chadwick Boseman, American actor (b. 1976)
• 2022 – Joe E. Tata, American actor (b. 1936)

Holidays

• Czech Republic & Slovakia – Anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising
• Pakistan – National Day of Minorities
• Christianity – Feast of Saint Augustine
• Worldwide – Radio Commercial Day

Fun Facts

• The “I Have a Dream” speech is considered one of the most iconic moments in U.S. civil rights history.
• The first radio ad, aired in 1922, cost just $100 for 10 minutes.
• Hurricane Harvey in 2017 was the second-costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
• Johann Wolfgang von Goethe‘s birthday is often celebrated in literary and philosophical circles globally.
• Jack Kirby co-created many famous Marvel superheroes, including the X-Men, Thor, and Black Panther.