previous year1989
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
2000next year

Major Events of August 1996: 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 1996 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of August 1996: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Aug 1996 Michael Johnson's historic 200m world record: On August 1, 1996, American sprinter Michael Johnson set a new world record in the 200 meters at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, finishing in 19.32 seconds. This performance solidified his status as one of the greatest sprinters in history. source: bbc.com
  • 02 Aug 1996 Closing ceremony of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics: The closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics took place on August 2, 1996, marking the end of the Games held in Atlanta, Georgia. The event featured performances and the traditional passing of the Olympic flag to the next host city. source: bbc.com
  • 03 Aug 1996 Andre Agassi wins Olympic tennis gold medal: On August 3, 1996, American tennis player Andre Agassi defeated Spain's Sergi Bruguera 6–2, 6–3, 6–1 to win the gold medal in Men's Singles at the Atlanta Olympics. source: washingtonpost.com
  • 04 Aug 1996 NASA announces potential life evidence in Martian meteorite: On August 4, 1996, NASA announced findings suggesting evidence of ancient life in a Martian meteorite, sparking widespread scientific interest. source: nasa.gov
  • 05 Aug 1996 Dallas Cowboys play Kansas City Chiefs in Monterrey, Mexico: On August 5, 1996, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Dallas Cowboys 32-6 in an American Bowl preseason game at Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, Mexico. This marked the first NFL game played in Monterrey and was part of the league's international exhibition series. source: washingtonpost.com
  • 08 Aug 1996 Nevill Mott, renowned physicist, passes away: Nevill Francis Mott, a British physicist and Nobel laureate, died on August 8, 1996. He was known for his work in condensed matter physics and his contributions to the understanding of electrical conduction in non-crystalline materials. source: washingtonpost.com
  • 09 Aug 1996 Boris Yeltsin's second presidential term begins: Boris Yeltsin began his second term as President of Russia on August 9, 1996, after winning the presidential election. His term was marked by significant political and economic reforms in Russia. source: rferl.org
  • 10 Aug 1996 Major West Coast power grid failure: On August 10, 1996, a significant power outage affected the West Coast of the United States, leading to widespread blackouts and disruptions in service. source: latimes.com
  • 11 Aug 1996 Oasis performs historic Knebworth concert: On August 11, 1996, British rock band Oasis held a landmark concert at Knebworth Park in Hertfordshire, England, drawing a record-breaking crowd of over 250,000 fans over two days. source: nme.com
  • 12 Aug 1996 Osama bin Laden declares war on the United States: On August 12, 1996, Osama bin Laden issued a fatwa declaring jihad against the United States, marking a significant escalation in al-Qaeda's anti-American activities. source: cnn.com
  • 13 Aug 1996 Arrest of Marc Dutroux in Belgium: Marc Dutroux was arrested on August 13, 1996, in Belgium, leading to a major criminal investigation. He was later convicted of kidnapping and sexually abusing several young girls, which shocked the nation and led to widespread public outcry and reforms in child protection laws. source: bbc.com
  • 14 Aug 1996 Deadly fireworks accident in Arequipa: On August 14, 1996, a tragic fireworks accident occurred in Arequipa, Peru, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The incident raised concerns about safety regulations surrounding public fireworks displays in the country. source: reuters.com
  • 15 Aug 1996 Bob Dole Republican presidential nomination: On August 15, 1996, Bob Dole was officially nominated as the Republican candidate for President of the United States at the Republican National Convention. His nomination marked a significant moment in the 1996 presidential election campaign. source: nytimes.com
  • 16 Aug 1996 Gorilla rescues boy at Brookfield Zoo: On August 16, 1996, a three-year-old boy fell into the gorilla enclosure at Brookfield Zoo in Illinois. A female gorilla named Binti Jua, carrying her own baby, gently picked up the unconscious child and handed him over to zookeepers. The boy was hospitalized but made a full recovery. source: cbsnews.com
  • 17 Aug 1996 Soyuz TM-24 space mission launch: On August 17, 1996, the Soyuz TM-24 spacecraft was launched, carrying a crew to the Russian space station Mir. The mission was part of ongoing efforts to maintain and operate the Mir space station.
  • 19 Aug 1996 South African political parties submit to Truth and Reconciliation Commission: On August 19, 1996, major South African political parties began their submissions to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The Freedom Front, led by General Constand Viljoen, emphasized reconciliation and nation-building in their 43-page document. The Pan Africanist Congress acknowledged that its armed wing, Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), targeted white civilians, taking responsibility without offering an apology. source: sahistory.org.za
  • 20 Aug 1996 Seoul reunification protest dispersed: On August 20, 1996, South Korean riot police stormed a Yonsei University building, arresting approximately 1,800 students who had been protesting for a week. The demonstrators were demanding reunification with North Korea and the withdrawal of American troops. The protest ended with the police firing tear gas and making arrests, resulting in minor injuries to ten students and one police officer. source: upi.com
  • 21 Aug 1996 De Klerk apologizes for apartheid crimes: On August 21, 1996, former South African President F.W. de Klerk appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and apologized for the human rights violations committed during apartheid. He acknowledged the National Party's role in the repression and expressed remorse for the suffering caused. source: journalofdemocracy.org
  • 22 Aug 1996 Clinton signs welfare reform bill: On August 22, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act into law, overhauling the U.S. welfare system. The act replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, imposing work requirements and time limits on assistance. source: clintonwhitehouse5.archives.gov
  • 23 Aug 1996 Osama bin Laden's Declaration of Jihad: On August 23, 1996, Osama bin Laden issued a fatwa titled "Declaration of War against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Places," published in the London-based newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi. This declaration called for Muslims to engage in jihad against American forces in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, citing the presence of U.S. troops in the region as a primary grievance. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 24 Aug 1996 Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 released: On August 24, 1996, Microsoft released Windows NT 4.0, a significant update to its Windows NT operating system. This version introduced the Windows 95 user interface, enhancing user experience and system performance. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 25 Aug 1996 Tiger Woods wins US Amateur Golf Championship: On August 25, 1996, Tiger Woods won the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship, marking his third consecutive victory in the tournament. This achievement further established his status as a rising star in the world of golf. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 26 Aug 1996 Clinton signs welfare reform act: On August 26, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, marking a significant change in welfare policy in the United States. This act aimed to reduce dependency on government assistance and promote work among welfare recipients. source: congress.gov
  • 27 Aug 1996 Prince Charles and Princess Diana finalize divorce: On August 27, 1996, Prince Charles and Princess Diana finalized their divorce after a highly publicized separation. The divorce marked the end of a tumultuous marriage that had captivated the public for years. source: bbc.com
  • 28 Aug 1996 Prince Charles and Diana divorce finalized: On August 28, 1996, the divorce between Prince Charles and Princess Diana was officially finalized. This event marked a significant moment in British royal history, concluding a marriage that had been under intense media scrutiny. source: bbc.com
  • 29 Aug 1996 Clinton-Gore Democratic Nomination Confirmed: At the 1996 Democratic National Convention, President Bill Clinton was unanimously nominated for a second term, and Vice President Al Gore was nominated by voice vote. The convention was held from August 26 to August 29, 1996, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 30 Aug 1996 Big 12 Conference inaugural football game: The Big 12 Conference held its inaugural football game on August 30, 1996, marking the beginning of its competitive play. This event was significant in the landscape of college football, as it established the Big 12 as a major conference in the NCAA. source: ncaa.com