On This Day in History

August 31

Historical Events

Densely packed, London's Broad Street in 1854 was a perfect breeding ground for a cholera outbreak

1854 A major outbreak of cholera occurs in Soho, London; physician John Snow calls it "the most terrible outbreak of cholera which ever occurred in this kingdom"

1888 The body of Jack the Ripper's first victim, Mary Ann Nichols, is found in Whitechapel in London's East End

1917 Sun Yat-sen and his supporters' 'rump' parliament establish a military government in China and elect Sun Yat-sen as Commander-in-Chief

1945 The Liberal Party of Australia is founded by Robert Menzies

1957 Federation of Malaya gains independence from Great Britain

1994 The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Sinn Féin) declares a ceasefire in Northern Ireland

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Famous Birthdays

Caligula 12 - 41 AD   Wilhelmina of the Netherlands 1880 - 1962

Frank Robinson 1935 - 2019 Richard Gere 75th Birthday

Also Jean Béliveau and Chris Tucker (53).

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Famous Deaths

Mary Ann Nichols 1845 - 1888 Diana Spencer 1961 - 1997

Also Henry V and John Ford.

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How Paula Yates Discovered Her Real Father

Controversial television presenter Paula Yates married pop star Bob Geldof on this day. Fate decided she would not remain happy ever after

Life of Paula Yates