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Major Events of August 2005: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from August 2005 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of August 2005: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Aug 2005 US Marines Killed in Iraq Insurgent Attack: Six US Marines were killed in an insurgent attack in Haditha, located 140 miles northwest of Baghdad, highlighting the ongoing violence and challenges during the Iraq conflict.
  • 02 Aug 2005 Air France Flight 358 Crash Survival: Air France Flight 358 crashed during a severe thunderstorm at Toronto Pearson International Airport, bursting into flames at 4:03 p.m. Miraculously, all 309 passengers and crew survived the incident.
  • 03 Aug 2005 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Elected President of Iran: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was officially elected as the President of Iran, marking a significant moment in Iranian political history that would have substantial geopolitical implications.
  • 04 Aug 2005 Death Sentence Upheld in Indian Parliament Attack Case: The Indian Supreme Court confirms the death sentence for Mohammad Afzal in connection with the parliament attack case, highlighting judicial proceedings in terrorism-related incidents.
  • 05 Aug 2005 Sudan's John Garang Killed in Helicopter Crash: John Garang, leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Army and recently appointed vice president, dies in a helicopter crash. His death threatens the fragile peace agreement and sparks street demonstrations. Salva Kiir Mayardit assumes leadership of SPLA.
  • 06 Aug 2005 London Terror Suspects Charged: Yassin Hassan Omar, Ibrahim Muktar Said, and Ramzi Mohamed were formally indicted in London on serious charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of explosives, related to terrorist activities.
  • 07 Aug 2005 Deadly Insurgent Attacks in Iraq: A series of insurgent attacks in Iraq resulted in 39 fatalities, including at least two U.S. soldiers, underscoring the ongoing violence and instability in the region during the Iraq War.
  • 08 Aug 2005 Iran Resumes Nuclear Program: Iran recommenced its nuclear activities at the uranium enrichment plant near Isfahan, escalating international tensions regarding its nuclear capabilities.
  • 09 Aug 2005 Israel Orders Gaza Strip Settlement Evacuation: Israel issued orders for Israeli settlers in the Gaza Strip to abandon their settlements or face expulsion, a critical moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • 10 Aug 2005 Deadly Day in Iraq War: Six US soldiers were killed by insurgents in Iraq, including four in an attack on Baiji, a northern Kurdish oil-producing city. This tragic event brought the total US military deaths in Iraq to 1,841, underscoring the ongoing conflict's human cost.
  • 11 Aug 2005 Political Transition in Sudan: Following the death of John Garang, Salva Kiir was sworn in as Vice-President of Sudan. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (note: corrected name) warned against publishing conspiracy theories about Garang's death.
  • 12 Aug 2005 Assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar: Lakshman Kadirgamar, the prominent Sri Lankan foreign minister, was assassinated by a suspected Tamil Tigers (LTTE) sniper in Colombo. Kadirgamar was a key moderate Tamil politician who opposed the LTTE's violent separatist movement, making him a significant target.
  • 13 Aug 2005 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Launch: NASA launched the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, a sophisticated spacecraft designed to study the Martian surface and atmosphere in unprecedented detail. This mission represented a significant advancement in planetary exploration, equipped with high-resolution imaging capabilities and advanced scientific instruments.
  • 14 Aug 2005 Helios Airways Flight 522 Crash: Helios Airways Flight 522 crashed north of Athens, resulting in the tragic loss of all 121 passengers and crew members. The aircraft, en route from Larnaca, Cyprus to Prague, Czech Republic via Athens, experienced a critical decompression issue that led to the fatal accident near Grammatiko, Greece.
  • 15 Aug 2005 Israel's Gaza Strip Disengagement: Israel initiated its unilateral disengagement plan, beginning the process of evicting all Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank. This significant geopolitical move marked a pivotal moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, aiming to reduce tensions and redefine territorial boundaries.
  • 16 Aug 2005 West Caribbean Airways Flight 708 Crash: West Caribbean Airways Flight 708, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, crashed into a mountain in Machiques, Venezuela, resulting in the tragic loss of all 160 passengers on board.
  • 17 Aug 2005 Israeli Disengagement from Gaza: The first forced evacuation of Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip begins as part of the unilateral Israeli Disengagement Plan, marking a significant moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • 18 Aug 2005 Tensions in Iraq: US Troops Casualties and Civilian Conflict: Four US troops were killed by insurgents in an IED blast in Samarra, Iraq. Simultaneously, tensions escalated in Baghdad's Al-A'amiriya District after US troops allegedly killed three local Iraqi brothers, including a disabled person, leading to accusations of terrorism and heightened community anger.
  • 19 Aug 2005 9/11 Terrorist Trial: Mounir El Motassadeq was convicted for his involvement in the 9/11 attacks in Hamburg, Germany, and sentenced to seven years imprisonment. This marked a significant legal proceeding related to the terrorist attacks.
  • 20 Aug 2005 Northwest Airlines Mechanics Strike: Northwest Airlines mechanics initiated a labor strike, disrupting airline operations and highlighting ongoing labor disputes in the aviation industry.
  • 21 Aug 2005 Israeli Disengagement from Gaza Begins: The first forced evacuation of Jewish settlers commenced as part of Israel's unilateral disengagement plan from the Gaza Strip. This historic and controversial process involved removing Israeli settlers from their settlements, marking a significant moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • 22 Aug 2005 Israeli Withdrawal from Gaza Settlement: Israeli forces completed the evacuation of Netzarim, the last remaining Israeli settlement in the Gaza Strip, involving approximately 500 settlers. Plans were made to continue evacuations in the West Bank.
  • 23 Aug 2005 Israel's Unilateral Disengagement from Gaza Strip and West Bank: Israel completed a significant geopolitical move by withdrawing from 25 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, marking a pivotal moment in the Israeli-Palestinian territorial conflict.
  • 24 Aug 2005 Hurricane Katrina Forms: A tropical depression formed over the central Bahamas on August 24, 2005, which developed into Tropical Storm Katrina, marking the beginning of one of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history.
  • 25 Aug 2005 Sectarian Violence in Iraq: Intense sectarian conflict erupted in multiple Iraqi cities including Najaf, Diwaniyah, and Baghdad. Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called for an end to violence between his followers and the Badr Organizations, leading to political tensions and suspension of parliamentary memberships.
  • 26 Aug 2005 Tragic Fire in Paris Immigrant Housing: A devastating fire erupted in a Paris building housing African immigrants, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 children and three adults, highlighting issues of housing safety and immigrant living conditions.
  • 27 Aug 2005 Hurricane Katrina Reaches Category 3 Intensity: Hurricane Katrina reached Category 3 intensity in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 335 miles south-southeast of the Mississippi River's mouth, with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour. This powerful storm would go on to become one of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history, causing catastrophic damage to the Gulf Coast, particularly New Orleans.
  • 28 Aug 2005 Hurricane Katrina Mandatory Evacuation Order in New Orleans: New Orleans, Louisiana mayor Ray Nagin and Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco issued a mandatory evacuation order as Hurricane Katrina approached the Louisiana coast, signaling the imminent threat to the city.
  • 29 Aug 2005 Hurricane Katrina Devastates U.S. Gulf Coast: Hurricane Katrina, a catastrophic Category 3 hurricane, made landfall on August 29, 2005, causing unprecedented destruction along the U.S. Gulf Coast. The hurricane devastated coastal regions from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, resulting in over 1,836 fatalities and causing approximately $125 billion in damage. The storm's immense impact was particularly severe in New Orleans, where widespread flooding occurred, with water levels reaching up to 31 feet in some areas. This event is now remembered as one of the deadliest and most costly natural disasters in U.S. history, often referred to as 'Black Monday' by Gulf Coast residents.
  • 30 Aug 2005 Hurricane Katrina Breaches 17th Street Canal in New Orleans: The 17th Street Canal in New Orleans was breached during Hurricane Katrina, causing massive flooding and widespread destruction across the city. This catastrophic event led to one of the most significant urban disasters in U.S. history.
  • 31 Aug 2005 Hurricane Katrina Devastation: By August 31, 2005, Hurricane Katrina had submerged 80% of New Orleans underwater, creating one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in U.S. history. President George W. Bush addressed the nation from the White House, outlining relief efforts and emphasizing that recovery would be possible, though challenging and prolonged. The federal government launched the largest search and rescue mission in U.S. history, with an estimated 25,000 people requiring relocation.