✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 237th day of the year

August 25

A look at August 25 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Giridharilal Kedia and Erich Honecker, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♍ZodiacVirgo ◈BirthstonePeridot ❀Birth flowerGladiolus
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2003

    NASA

    NASA successfully launches the Spitzer Space Telescope into space.

    American space and aeronautics
  2. 2001

    Aaliyah

    American singer Aaliyah and several members of her entourage are killed as their overloaded aircraft crashes shortly after takeoff from Marsh Harbour Airport, Bahamas.

    American singer (1979–2001)
  3. 1940

    World War II

    World War II: The first Bombing of Berlin by the British Royal Air Force.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  4. 1914

    World War I

    World War I: Japan declares war on Austria-Hungary.

    1914–1918 global conflict
  5. 1875

    Matthew Webb

    Captain Matthew Webb becomes the first person to swim across the English Channel, traveling from Dover, England, to Calais, France, in 21 hours and 45 minutes.

    British swimmer (1848–1883)
  6. 1758

    Seven Years' War

    Seven Years' War: Frederick II of Prussia defeats the Russian army at the Battle of Zorndorf.

    Global war among European
  7. 1609

    Galileo Galilei

    Galileo Galilei demonstrates his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers.

    Italian physicist and astronomer
  8. 1537

    Honourable Artillery Company

    The Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior, is formed.

    Oldest regiment of the
  9. 1270

    Philip III of France

    Philip III, although suffering from dysentery, becomes King of France following the death of his father Louis IX, during the Eighth Crusade. His uncle, Charles I of Naples, is forced to begin peace negotiations with Muhammad I al-Mustansir, Hafsid Sultan of Tunis.

    King of France from
  10. 1258

    George Mouzalon

    Regent George Mouzalon and his brothers are killed during a coup headed by the aristocratic faction under Michael VIII Palaiologos, paving the way for its leader to ultimately usurp the throne of the Empire of Nicaea.

    Byzantine official (c. 1220
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Famous birthday twins

Born on August 25

Giridharilal Kedia

b. 1936

Indian businessman, founded the Image Institute of Technology & Management

Erich Honecker

b. 1912

German politician

Sean Connery

b. 1930

Scottish actor and producer

Ivan the Terrible

b. 1530

Russian ruler

Amy Macdonald

b. 1987

Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist

Faustina Kowalska

b. 1905

Polish nun and saint

Louis Antoine de Saint-Just

b. 1767

French soldier and politician

Ludwig II of Bavaria

b. 1845

King of Bavaria

Deaths

  • 2012Neil Armstrong, American pilot, engineer, and astronaut
  • 2001Aaliyah, American singer and actress
  • 1867Michael Faraday, English physicist and chemist
  • 1819James Watt, Scottish engineer and instrument maker
  • 1270Louis IX of France, King of France from 1226 to 1270
  • 1258George Mouzalon, regent of the Empire of Nicaea

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Æbbe of Coldingham
  • —Christian feast day: Aredius
  • —Christian feast day: Genesius of Arles
  • —Christian feast day: Genesius of Rome
  • —Christian feast day: Ginés de la Jara (or Genesius of Cartagena)
  • —Christian feast day: Gregory of Utrecht
  • —Christian feast day: Joseph Calasanz
  • —Christian feast day: Louis IX of France

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