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Major Events of August 2018: 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 2018 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of August 2018: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Aug 2018 Grenfell Tower Management Announcement: Following the devastating Grenfell Tower fire that claimed 72 lives, the English government announced that the Ministry of Housing would manage the tower after the completion of the comprehensive investigation into the tragic incident.
  • 02 Aug 2018 Apple Becomes First $1 Trillion Public Company: Apple Inc. achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first publicly traded company to reach a market capitalization of US$1 trillion, signaling the company's unprecedented growth and dominance in the technology sector.
  • 03 Aug 2018 First Successful Bio-Engineered Lung Transplant: Galveston University Medical Branch achieved a groundbreaking medical milestone by successfully transplanting bio-engineered lungs. The procedure involved creating a protein scaffold from a donor animal and gradually replacing it with the patient's own cells over a month.
  • 04 Aug 2018 North Korea Nuclear Program Controversy: The United Nations Security Council released a report concluding that North Korea had not halted its nuclear program and was attempting to sell military supplies to Libya, Sudan, and Yemen. Simultaneously, North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho stated that denuclearization would only occur if the United States takes reciprocal steps.
  • 05 Aug 2018 Lombok Earthquake Disaster: A devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Lombok, resulting in at least 460 fatalities and displacing approximately 350,000 people.
  • 06 Aug 2018 US Sanctions on Iran: The United States reimposed sanctions on Iran three months after withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. In response, the European Union announced a blocking statute to protect European companies and encourage continued trade with Iran.
  • 07 Aug 2018 US-China Trade War Escalation: The United States Trade Representative published a finalized list of 279 Chinese products valued at $16 billion, which will be subject to a 25% tariff starting August 23, further intensifying the ongoing trade tensions.
  • 08 Aug 2018 China-US Trade War Escalation: China announced 25% tariffs on an additional US$16 billion worth of US imports, effective August 23, in direct retaliation to previous US trade measures, further intensifying the ongoing trade tensions.
  • 09 Aug 2018 Gaza-Israel Conflict Escalation: Intense hostilities erupted with Hamas militants firing over 180 rockets and mortars into Israel, causing injuries. In retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes on 150 targets in Gaza, resulting in three fatalities, including an 18-month-old child. A ceasefire was subsequently reported.
  • 10 Aug 2018 Romanian Anti-Government Protests Turn Violent: A massive anti-government rally in Bucharest escalated into a riot when Romanian Gendarmerie members violently attacked approximately 100,000 protesters gathered in front of the Victoria Palace. The confrontation resulted in 452 recorded injuries. Authorities claimed the crowd was infiltrated by hooligans who provoked attacks against law enforcement.
  • 11 Aug 2018 NASA Launches Parker Solar Probe: NASA successfully launched the Parker Solar Probe, its groundbreaking first mission designed to study the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, marking a significant milestone in solar exploration.
  • 12 Aug 2018 NASA Launches Parker Solar Probe: NASA successfully launched the Parker Solar Probe, an unpiloted spacecraft designed to study the Sun, marking a significant milestone in solar and space exploration.
  • 13 Aug 2018 Turkey's Financial Crisis Impacts Global Markets: Turkey's escalating debt and currency crisis triggered significant financial instability, causing Asian stock markets to fall amid fears of potential economic contagion spreading to other emerging economies.
  • 14 Aug 2018 Ponte Morandi Bridge Collapse in Genoa, Italy: On August 14, 2018, the Ponte Morandi viaduct catastrophically collapsed on the A10 motorway in Genoa, Italy, resulting in a massive infrastructure and human tragedy. The disaster involved 35 vehicles and three large trucks, causing 38 confirmed deaths, 16 severe injuries, and 5 missing persons. Additionally, 632 people were displaced, and numerous homes were damaged, making this one of the most significant infrastructure failures in recent Italian history.
  • 15 Aug 2018 Tragic Suicide Bombing and Taliban Attack in Afghanistan: On August 15, 2018, Afghanistan experienced two devastating incidents. A suicide bomber attacked an education center in Kabul, killing at least 48 people, predominantly students, and injuring 67 others. Simultaneously, the Taliban launched an attack on two Afghan security force units in the Baghlan-e-Markazi District of Baghlan Province, resulting in the deaths of 39 soldiers and police officers. The Taliban denied involvement in both incidents.
  • 16 Aug 2018 2018 Washington Veterans Day Parade: President Donald Trump's planned military parade on November 10, 2018, has been postponed by the United States Department of Defense until 2019. Estimates for the parade's costs have increased from $12 million up to $92 million.
  • 17 Aug 2018 Imran Khan Elected Prime Minister of Pakistan: Imran Khan, chairman of the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, marking a significant political transition in the country's governance.
  • 18 Aug 2018 Genoa Bridge Collapse Tragedy: The Ponte Morandi bridge in Genoa, Italy, collapsed, resulting in the tragic loss of 43 lives and causing significant infrastructure damage.
  • 19 Aug 2018 Venezuelan Migration Crisis Intensifies: Tensions escalated as Brazilians attacked Venezuelan migrants in a border camp, prompting military deployment. Multiple South American countries, including Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile, tightened immigration controls as over 7% of Venezuela's population had fled within two years.
  • 20 Aug 2018 Pope Francis Addresses Sexual Abuse Scandal: Pope Francis released a powerful letter to all Catholics, condemning sexual abuse atrocities and clerical cover-ups, acknowledging the church's failure to protect vulnerable individuals.
  • 21 Aug 2018 Michael Cohen Pleads Guilty: Michael Cohen, former lawyer for U.S. President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to eight felony financial charges. He admitted to receiving $150,000 in hush money with the intent of influencing the 2016 presidential election. He was released on $500,000 bail, with sentencing scheduled for December 12.
  • 22 Aug 2018 Michael Cohen Pleads Guilty, Implicates Trump: Michael Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer, pleaded guilty to several charges and directly implicated President Trump in a federal investigation. Simultaneously, Paul Manafort was convicted of 8 counts of fraud, marking a significant moment in the Trump administration's legal challenges.
  • 23 Aug 2018 US-China Trade Dispute Escalates: The United States imposed 25% tariffs on $16 billion worth of Chinese goods, with China immediately responding with equivalent retaliatory tariffs, further intensifying the ongoing trade war between the two economic superpowers.
  • 24 Aug 2018 Australian Prime Minister Leadership Change: In a significant political upheaval, Malcolm Turnbull loses the Liberal Party leadership spill and resigns as Prime Minister of Australia. Treasurer Scott Morrison wins the second leadership contest with 45 votes against 40 for Peter Dutton, becoming the new Prime Minister.
  • 25 Aug 2018 Death of Senator John McCain: U.S. Senator John McCain, a prominent political figure and 2008 Presidential Nominee, passed away at the age of 81. McCain was known for his long congressional career, military service, and reputation as a political maverick who often crossed party lines.
  • 26 Aug 2018 Death of Senator John McCain: Senator John McCain passed away at age 81 after a thirteen-month battle with brain cancer. A decorated Vietnam War veteran, torture survivor, and two-time presidential candidate, McCain was known for his maverick political stance and significant contributions to American politics. He died surrounded by friends and family, leaving behind a complex and influential legacy.
  • 27 Aug 2018 UN Report on Myanmar Military Atrocities: The United Nations released a report recommending genocide and crimes against humanity charges against Myanmar military leaders for violence perpetrated against the Rohingya population.
  • 28 Aug 2018 Scientific Breakthrough in Particle Physics: Scientists observe the Higgs Boson decaying into bottom quarks for the first time, confirming a prediction in the Standard Model of particle physics.
  • 29 Aug 2018 Germany Returns Namibian Remains: Germany returned human remains of Herero and Nama tribespeople, acknowledging the atrocities committed during the German Empire's colonial period from 1904 to 1908, when thousands were killed in a tragic genocide.
  • 30 Aug 2018 US-EU Trade Tensions Escalate: European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom proposed zero import tariffs for the EU if the United States reciprocates, while President Donald Trump simultaneously threatened to withdraw from the World Trade Organization, signaling ongoing trade tensions.
  • 31 Aug 2018 Lula da Silva Barred from 2018 Brazilian Presidential Election: Brazil's Superior Electoral Court ruled that former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva cannot run for presidency due to ineligibility under the Clean Slate law. The court also prohibited the Workers Party from running political advertisements featuring Lula.