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On This Day · The 240th day of the year

August 28

A look at August 28 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Taichang Emperor, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2022

    2022 Phoenix shooting

    Phoenix shooting: A man opens fire on pedestrians outside of a hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, resulting in the deaths of three people, including the perpetrator.

    Mass shooting in Arizona,
  2. 1998

    Pakistan

    Pakistan's National Assembly passes a constitutional amendment to make the "Qur'an and Sunnah" the "supreme law" but the bill is defeated in the Senate.

    Country in South Asia
  3. 1993

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

    The autonomous Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia in Bosnia and Herzegovina is transformed into the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia.

    Country in Southeast Europe
  4. 1973

    Norrmalmstorg robbery

    Norrmalmstorg robbery: Stockholm police secure the surrenders of hostage-takers Jan-Erik Olsson and Clark Olofsson, defusing the Norrmalmstorg hostage crisis. The behaviours of the hostages later give rise to the term Stockholm syndrome.

    1973 bank robbery in
  5. 1944

    World War II

    World War II: Marseille and Toulon are liberated.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  6. 1914

    World War I

    World War I: The Royal Navy defeats the German fleet in the Battle of Heligoland Bight.

    1914–1918 global conflict
  7. 1789

    William Herschel

    William Herschel discovers a new moon of Saturn: Enceladus.

    German-British astronomer and composer
  8. 1640

    Bishops' Wars

    Second Bishop's War: King Charles I's English army loses to a Scottish Covenanter force at the Battle of Newburn.

    British wars 1639–1640 concerning
  9. 1619

    Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor

    Election of Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor.

    Holy Roman Emperor from
  10. 1542

    Ottoman–Portuguese conflicts (1538–1560)

    Turkish–Portuguese War: Battle of Wofla: The Portuguese are scattered, their leader Christovão da Gama is captured and later executed.

    Series of military encounters
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Famous birthday twins

Born on August 28

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

b. 1749

German novelist, poet, playwright, and diplomat

Taichang Emperor

b. 1582

emperor of China

Michael Craig-Martin

b. 1941

Irish painter and illustrator

Ivo Josipović

b. 1957

Croatian lawyer, jurist, and politician, 3rd President of Croatia

Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

b. 1691

Holy Roman Empress

Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow

b. 1667

queen of Denmark and Norway

Lilli Schwarzkopf

b. 1983

German heptathlete

Duke Anthony Ulrich of Brunswick

b. 1714

duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Deaths

  • 2008Phil Hill, American race car driver
  • 1955Emmett Till, African-American kidnapping and lynching victim
  • 1149Mu'in ad-Din Unur, Turkish ruler and regent
  • 1055Emperor Xingzong of Liao, Chinese emperor
  • 476Orestes (father of Romulus Augustulus), Roman general and politician
  • 430Augustine of Hippo, Algerian bishop, theologian, and saint

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Alexander of Constantinople
  • —Christian feast day: Augustine of Hippo
  • —Christian feast day: Edmund Arrowsmith
  • —Christian feast day: Hermes
  • —Christian feast day: Moses the Black
  • —Christian feast day: August 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • —National Grandparents Day (Mexico)

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