The International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefines the definition of a planet, resulting in the demotion of Pluto to the status of a "dwarf planet."
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What Happened in August?
Conquests, crusades, and victories. Explore pivotal historical events that took place in August. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material. When possible, we show a link to a source which provides additional or unique perspective about the event.
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The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics takes place, marking the first time China hosts the Olympic Games.
NASA's Juno spacecraft launches on a mission to study the planet Jupiter
Standard & Poor’s credit rating agency downgrades the United States debt from its highest rating of AAA to a lesser AA+ rating, marking the first-ever decline of credit worthiness for the U.S. The agency cited America’s $14 trillion outstanding debt and an ineffective political leadership 5o address the debt reduction. This downgraded rating remains in effect as of August 5, 2025
The shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, sparks protests and civil unrest, leading to a national conversation on racial tensions and police violence in the United States.
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2016, August 5-21
The Summer Olympics are held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, showcasing athletes from around the world.
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Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers Quarterback, remains seated while other players stand for the National Anthem played before the preseason game, rather than stand as is customary. He continued to sit during the rendition of the anthem for the third preseason games but advise from a former NFL player and Green Beret convinced Kaepernick to kneel, rather than sit, out of respect for members of the military.
The controversy brought light to racial tensions across the sporting world for many years and also determined Kaepernick's football career; he left at the end of the season and did not get an offer from any other team. He is now politically active, writes books for children and young people that deal with black identity, produces documentaries, founds his own organizations and initiatives, and remains undeterred despite fierce criticism. More
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A total solar eclipse, visible across a large portion of the United States, captivates millions of people. The total solar eclipse was visible within a band that spanned the contiguous United States from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts. It was also visible as a partial solar eclipse from as far north as Nunavut in northern Canada to as far south as northern South America. In northwestern Europe and Africa, it was partially visible in the late evening. In northeastern Asia, it was partially visible at sunrise.
India revokes the special autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir, escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over the disputed region.
The largest non-nuclear blast in modern history at the port of Beirut in Lebanon causes widespread devastation and loss of life after an estimated 2750 tons of unsafely stored ammonium nitrate exploded.
Mehr News Agency, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The final U.S. military plane takes off from Afghanistan's Kabul International airport, just before the midnight deadline, officially marking the end to a nearly 20-year U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.
On August 15, the Taliban had seized control of the capital, Kabul, after a rapid offensive that advanced much faster than U.S. intelligence had predicted. This caused the U.S.-backed government to collapse and triggered a chaotic evacuation of thousands of U.S. personnel, allied nationals, and at-risk Afghans. On August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 170 Afghan civilians. The attack was claimed by ISIS-K, a rival to the Taliban.