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Major Events of August 2015: 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 2015 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of August 2015: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Aug 2015 Digital Release of Emperor Hirohito's Surrender Speech: A digital version of Emperor Hirohito's historic speech declaring Japan's unconditional surrender became available, preserving a pivotal moment in World War II history for future generations.
  • 02 Aug 2015 Two journalists from Al-Jazeera were charged with aiding Muslim Brotherhood. A court in Egypt has postponed the verdict.
  • 03 Aug 2015 Deadly Monsoon Floods in India: Catastrophic monsoon rains caused devastating floods in India, resulting in over 100 fatalities and forcing tens of thousands of people to seek refuge in emergency camps.
  • 04 Aug 2015 Cyclone Komen Devastates India: Torrential rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Komen resulted in at least 178 fatalities across India, marking a significant natural disaster with substantial human impact.
  • 05 Aug 2015 Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Texas Voter ID Law: A federal appeals panel ruled that Texas's 2011 voter ID law discriminates against Black and Hispanic voters, violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The court ordered a lower court to re-evaluate the law's potential discriminatory intent.
  • 06 Aug 2015 Hiroshima Atomic Bombing 70th Anniversary: People worldwide commemorated the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, reflecting on the devastating impact of nuclear warfare during World War II.
  • 07 Aug 2015 Kabul Truck Bombing: During the Afghanistan War (2001-present), a devastating truck bomb exploded in Kabul, killing at least 15 people and injuring 400 more. Simultaneously, a bombing at the Kabul police academy resulted in at least 20 deaths, with the Taliban claiming responsibility.
  • 08 Aug 2015 Typhoon Soudelor Strikes Taiwan and China: Typhoon Soudelor caused significant damage in Taiwan, killing at least four people and leaving 64 others missing. The typhoon then hit mainland China's Fujian province, leading to the evacuation of 250,000 people from Zhejiang and Fujian provinces.
  • 09 Aug 2015 Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Anniversary: Japan commemorates the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki during World War II, remembering the devastating impact of nuclear warfare.
  • 10 Aug 2015 ISIL Bombing in Baquba, Iraq: The Islamic State in Iraq & the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for a devastating bombing in Baquba, central Iraq, which killed at least 30 people and injured 40 others.
  • 11 Aug 2015 Greece Reaches Crucial Bailout Agreement: After marathon overnight negotiations, Greece and its international lenders successfully reached a multi-billion-euro bailout agreement. The deal potentially secures a three-year, $95 billion financial rescue package, with the first disbursement expected to help Greece meet an imminent major debt payment. The announcement immediately boosted Greek banking stocks by 6 percent.
  • 12 Aug 2015 Tianjin Industrial Explosions: A catastrophic series of massive explosions occurred in the port city of Tianjin, China, killing 173 people and injuring nearly 800 more. The industrial accident caused significant destruction and raised serious questions about industrial safety protocols.
  • 13 Aug 2015 Baghdad Market Truck Bombing: A devastating truck bombing occurred in Baghdad, Iraq, resulting in the deaths of at least 76 people and injuring 212 others. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for this terrorist attack, which targeted a crowded market area.
  • 14 Aug 2015 U.S. Reopens Embassy in Cuba: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry officially reopened the American Embassy in Havana, marking the first time in 54 years. Eight members of Congress were present to support this historic policy change, symbolizing a significant thaw in U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations.
  • 15 Aug 2015 Tianjin Explosions: A catastrophic industrial accident in Tianjin, China, resulted in massive explosions that killed at least 85 people, with Chinese state media later reporting the death toll had risen to 104. The incident prompted extensive evacuations and raised serious questions about industrial safety.
  • 16 Aug 2015 Tianjin Explosions Tragedy: The devastating Tianjin industrial explosions resulted in 112 deaths, with 95 people still missing, including 85 firefighters. This catastrophic event raised significant questions about industrial safety and emergency response protocols.
  • 17 Aug 2015 Bangkok Erawan Shrine Bombing: A devastating terrorist bombing occurred at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, killing at least 19 people and injuring 123 others. The attack targeted a popular tourist location, causing significant loss of life and raising serious security concerns in the region.
  • 18 Aug 2015 Turkey's Political Uncertainty: Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu returned his mandate to form a coalition government to the President, indicating a high likelihood of new elections and signaling significant political instability in Turkey.
  • 19 Aug 2015 Greece Receives Third EU Bailout: The German Bundestag approved a third bailout package for Greece, signaling continued European financial support during the country's prolonged economic crisis and demonstrating the European Union's commitment to economic stability.
  • 20 Aug 2015 Record Global Temperatures: NOAA reported July 2015 as the hottest global month since records began in 1880, with temperatures 1.46 degrees F above the 20th-century average.
  • 21 Aug 2015 Germany Eases Asylum Regulations: Germany made significant changes to its asylum policy by suspending Dublin Regulations, effectively making it easier for Syrian refugees to claim asylum. This decision was a crucial moment in the European Refugee Crisis.
  • 22 Aug 2015 Tianjin Explosions Investigated: The State Council of the People's Republic of China orders a comprehensive investigation into the devastating Tianjin industrial explosions, with the death toll rising to 121 people. This catastrophic incident highlighted significant industrial safety concerns in China.
  • 23 Aug 2015 Al-Qaeda Militants Occupy Aden, Yemen: Al-Qaeda militants seized control of strategic parts of Aden, a key port city in southern Yemen, raising their flag over government buildings. This event highlights the ongoing instability and complex conflict in the region.
  • 24 Aug 2015 2015 Global Stock Market Crash: A significant global stock market downturn occurred due to fears about China's economic health. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted 1000 points at Wall Street's opening, ultimately closing 3.6% lower. The economic turbulence also impacted global currencies, with the South African rand falling to an all-time low against the US dollar.
  • 25 Aug 2015 Korea Border Tension De-escalation: North and South Korea agreed to cease propaganda broadcasts and stop war preparations, reducing tensions along their shared border.
  • 26 Aug 2015 James Holmes Sentenced for Aurora Cinema Shooting: James Eagan Holmes was sentenced to 12 consecutive life sentences and 3,318 years in prison for the murders of 12 people and injury of 70 others during the 2012 shooting at the Century cinema in Aurora, Colorado.
  • 27 Aug 2015 European Migrant Crisis Tragedy: A devastating maritime incident occurred off the coast of Zuwarah, Libya, where two migrant boats collided. Hundreds of migrants are believed to have perished. Simultaneously, Austrian police discovered up to 50 dead refugees in a truck, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis.
  • 28 Aug 2015 India-Pakistan Border Conflict in Kashmir: Intense cross-border gunfire between Indian and Pakistani border guards in the disputed Kashmir region led to nine civilian casualties and 63 injuries, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two nations.
  • 29 Aug 2015 UN Addresses European Migration Crisis: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a comprehensive political response to the European migration crisis. The situation was underscored by the rising death toll, with 171 people confirmed dead in a recent Mediterranean Sea vessel sinking.
  • 30 Aug 2015 Destruction of Temple of Bel in Palmyra: The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) destroyed the historic Temple of Bel in Palmyra, Syria, a significant act of cultural heritage destruction during the Syrian conflict.
  • 31 Aug 2015 Violent Protests in Kiev, Ukraine: During the implementation of the Minsk II agreement, violent clashes erupted outside Kiev's parliament building. Protesters armed with petrol bombs and firecrackers confronted riot police, resulting in one national guardsman's death and approximately 100 injuries.