On This Day in History – August 4
August 4 has seen monumental political decisions, the birth of influential figures, and events that have echoed through time. Here’s a look at the major milestones that make this day historically significant.
Major Events
- 1693 – Dom Pérignon, a Benedictine monk, reportedly invents champagne in the Abbey of Hautvillers, France.
- 1790 – The United States Coast Guard is founded as the Revenue Cutter Service.
- 1914 – Germany invades Belgium; Britain declares war on Germany, officially entering World War I.
- 1944 – Anne Frank and her family are arrested by the Gestapo in Amsterdam after being in hiding for two years.
- 1961 – Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, is born in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- 1972 – Uganda’s President Idi Amin orders the expulsion of 50,000 Asians, mostly of Indian descent, giving them 90 days to leave the country.
- 1984 – The Republic of Upper Volta is renamed Burkina Faso under President Thomas Sankara.
- 2002 – Soham murders: Two young girls go missing in Cambridgeshire, England, sparking a high-profile investigation.
- 2020 – Massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon kills over 200 people and injures thousands; caused by stored ammonium nitrate.
Famous Birthdays
- Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) – English Romantic poet known for works like Ozymandias and Prometheus Unbound.
- Louis Vuitton (1821–1892) – French fashion designer and founder of the luxury brand that bears his name.
- Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1900–2002) – British royal and mother of Queen Elizabeth II.
- Richard Belzer (1944–2023) – American actor and comedian, known for his role in Law & Order: SVU.
- Billy Bob Thornton (1955– ) – American actor, screenwriter, and musician.
- Barack Obama (1961– ) – 44th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
- Roger Clemens (1962– ) – American former MLB pitcher, seven-time Cy Young Award winner.
- Meghan Markle (1981– ) – American actress and Duchess of Sussex.
- Greta Gerwig (1983– ) – American actress, writer, and director known for Lady Bird and Barbie.
- Dylan and Cole Sprouse (1992– ) – American twin actors known for Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
Notable Deaths
- Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) – Danish author of fairy tales like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.
- Hirohito, Emperor Shōwa (1901–1989) – Japanese Emperor who ruled during World War II and post-war reconstruction.
- Joseph Rowntree (1836–1925) – English philanthropist and social reformer.
- Melvyn Douglas (1901–1981) – American actor and two-time Oscar winner.
- Frederick North, Lord North (1732–1792) – British Prime Minister during the American Revolution.
- Terri Schiavo (1963–2005) – Central figure in a high-profile right-to-die legal case in the U.S.
- Robert Hayden (1913–1980) – American poet and first African American to hold the U.S. Poet Laureate post.
- David Lange (1942–2005) – Prime Minister of New Zealand known for nuclear-free policy.
- Hughie Green (1920–1997) – British game show host and television personality.
Holidays
- Coast Guard Day (United States) – Celebrates the founding of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1790.
- National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day (United States) – A fun food holiday celebrating one of America’s favorite treats.
- Burkina Faso Revolution Day – Marks the 1983 revolution led by Thomas Sankara that changed the nation’s name and political direction.
- Peace Festival of Hiroshima (Japan) – While not always falling on August 4, events begin leading to Hiroshima Day on August 6.
Fun Facts
- Anne Frank’s arrest on this day in 1944 would eventually lead to the posthumous publication of her diary, now one of the most-read books worldwide.
- The U.S. Coast Guard is the oldest continuous seagoing service in the U.S., predating the Navy’s modern structure.
- August 4 is one of the few days in history that includes the birthday of a U.S. President and the founding of a key military branch.
- Uganda’s expulsion of its Asian community in 1972 caused international condemnation and a major diaspora, especially to the U.K.
- Louis Vuitton, born on this day, began as a box-maker before founding one of the world’s most iconic luxury fashion brands.