August 15 Almanac: Discover the Latest Events and Birthdays - Entertainment

Significant Events on August 15 , 2024

Today is Thursday , Aug. 15 , the 228th day of 2024 with 138 to follow.

 On this date in history , India gains independence from Britain after 200 years of rule . The Indian Independence Bill also grants independence to Pakistan , though that country observes its freedom one day earlier.

In 1914 , a U.S. ship sailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean , officially opening the Panama Canal . This event marked a significant milestone in international trade and transportation.

 In 1969 , the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival , often described as a landmark counterculture event , opened on Max Yasgur 's farm near Bethel , N.Y. , drawing an estimated 400,000 people for three days of music.

Notable Birthdays on August 15th

Those born on this date include French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1769 , writer Walter Scott in 1771 , and U.S. first lady Florence Harding in 1860 . Other notable figures born on August 15th include musician Samuel Coleridge - Taylor in 1875 , actor Ethel Barrymore in 1879 , and chef Julia Child in 1912.

International Events on August 15th

In 1935 , humorist Will Rogers and pilot Wiley Post were killed when their plane crashed in Alaska . This tragic event marked the loss of two beloved figures in American history.

 In 2003 , Libya admitted responsibility for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie , Scotland , that claimed 270 lives and agreed to pay reparations totaling .7 billion.

 In 2007 , an 8 - magnitude earthquake struck 90 miles southeast of Lima , Peru , killing an estimated 500 people and injuring hundreds more.

In 2021 , Taliban militants took control of Afghanistan after storming Kabul and the presidential palace , causing President Ashraf Ghani to flee . This event marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the region.

Final Thoughts

As we reflect on the events that have taken place on August 15th throughout history , it is important to remember the impact that these moments have had on shaping the world we live in today . From moments of celebration and independence to tragedies and natural disasters , each event serves as a reminder of the complexities of our shared history.