August 31: What Happened on This Day in History
August 31st marks the 243rd day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 244th in case of leap years). There are 122 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on August 31st in history, famous birthdays on August 31st, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to August 31.
What happened on August 31?
Here's what happened on August 31st in history:
- 2021: On August 31, 2021, the United States completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, marking the end of a 20-year military engagement that began in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The final U.S. military aircraft departed from Kabul, symbolically concluding the longest war in American history. This withdrawal followed a complex and chaotic evacuation process, with the last American troops and diplomats leaving the country as the Taliban rapidly regained control of the nation.
- 2008: Hurricane Gustav was a significant tropical cyclone that threatened the Gulf Coast of the United States, prompting extensive emergency preparations and evacuations.
- 2006: Lockheed Martin is chosen over Boeing and Northrop Grumman to develop the Orion spacecraft, previously known as the Crew Exploration Vehicle. The spacecraft is planned to reach the moon by 2014, marking a significant milestone in NASA's space exploration program.
- 2000: On August 31, 2000, the R&B music chart was led by the song 'No More' performed by the R&B group Ruff Endz. The song dominated the R&B charts for the week spanning August 28th to September 3rd, showcasing the group's popularity during this period.
- 1994: A Pentium computer defeats world chess champion Garry Kasparov, marking a significant milestone in artificial intelligence and computational capabilities.
- 1990: Dennis Eckersley, a prominent relief pitcher, achieved his 40th save of the 1990 baseball season, showcasing his exceptional performance and reliability as a closer for his team.
- 1987: The longest mine strike in South African history comes to an end, potentially signaling significant labor relations developments during the apartheid era.
- 1985: Prakas achieves a remarkable trotting mile record of 1:53.4 at Du Quoin, Illinois, showcasing exceptional equine athletic performance.
- 1977: Spyros Kyprianou was appointed as the President of Cyprus, marking a significant moment in the island nation's political leadership during a complex period of post-colonial governance and regional tensions.
- 1975: On August 31, 1975, a historic crime occurred involving the largest robbery of bus passengers ever recorded. The perpetrators successfully stole approximately $35,000 in cash, coins, and jewelry from passengers, marking a significant criminal event in transportation history.
What famous birthdays are on August 31?
On August 31st there are the following famous birthdays:
![Richard Gere]()
![Itzhak Perlman]()
Itzhak Perlman (1945)World-renowned Israeli-American violinist and conductor, recognized as one of the most celebrated classical musicians of the 20th century.
![Marcia Clark]()
Marcia Clark (1953)American lawyer who became internationally famous as the lead prosecutor in the O.J.
![William Saroyan]()
William Saroyan (1908)William Saroyan was a prominent Armenian-American writer known for his poignant short stories and plays that captured the immigrant...
![James Coburn]()
James Coburn (1928)Acclaimed American actor known for versatile roles in Westerns and spy films, winning an Oscar for 'Affliction'.
![Chris Tucker]()
Chris Tucker (1971)Renowned comedian and actor famous for his energetic performances in the Rush Hour film series alongside Jackie Chan, known for his...
![Eldridge Cleaver]()
Eldridge Cleaver (1935)Prominent Black Panther Party leader and influential civil rights activist who wrote the groundbreaking book 'Soul on Ice', challenging...
![Richard Basehart]()
Richard Basehart (1914)Richard Basehart was a versatile American actor known for his significant roles in film and television, including the classic 'Moby Dick'...
![Jim Byrnes]()
Jim Byrnes (1943)American television writer and producer known for his significant contributions to Western genre productions, including the iconic series...
![Buddy Hackett]()
Buddy Hackett (1924)Renowned American comedian and actor known for his stand-up comedy and roles in films like 'The Love Bug' and 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad...
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on August 31?
On August 31st the following celebrities died:
![Michael Constantine]()
Michael Constantine (2021)Renowned Greek-American actor known for his roles in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and numerous television and film appearances.
![Sally Rand]()
Sally Rand (1979)Famous burlesque performer known for her provocative fan dance, Sally Rand was an iconic American entertainer who became a sensation during...
![Max Bygraves]()
Max Bygraves (2012)British cockney comedian and entertainer who was a prominent figure in mid-20th century British entertainment.
![David Farrar]()
David Farrar (1995)British actor known for his roles in films like 'Beat Girl' and 'I Accuse', who was active during the mid-20th century cinema.
![Charles Delaney]()
- Diana Princess of Wales (1997)
Diana was a prominent member of the British Royal Family, known for her humanitarian work, compassion, and global influence.
- Tom Seaver (2020)
Legendary Major League Baseball pitcher known as 'Tom Terrific', who played primarily for the New York Mets.
What day of the year is August 31?
August 31st marks the 243rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 244th in case of leap years).
There are 122 days remaining until the end of the year.
August 31st is the 31st day of the month of August.
What day of the week is August 31?
On August 31st, 2025 the day of the week is Sunday.
| August | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
What zodiac sign is associated with the day August 31?
The zodiac sign associated with August 31st is Virgo according to the Western Zodiac.
