What Happened on August 21

Science Desk

2017 — Total Eclipse Sweeps Coast to Coast

More than 12 million people live in the path of totality, with the eclipse first crossing Oregon and exiting near Charleston, South Carolina; it was the first coast-to-coast total eclipse since 1918.

More than 12 million people live in the path of totality, and millions more traveled to watch the moon blot out the sun for up to two minutes and 40 seconds. The eclipse crossed Oregon first, then swept through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina before exiting near Charleston, South Carolina.

Crowds wearing protective glasses gathered on hillsides, in parks, and on rooftops. In Madras, Oregon, and Carbondale, Illinois, spectators cheered as the corona flared into view. NASA streamed the event live, and the agency reported measurements of temperature drops and changes in animal behavior along the path.

The eclipse was the first total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States since 1979, and the first to traverse the country coast to coast since 1918. Astronomers called it a rare chance for amateur and professional observers alike.

For a few minutes, streetlights came on in midday darkness, and stars appeared. The next total eclipse to cross the United States is expected in 2024.

• A solar eclipse traverses the continental United States.

Source: Wikipedia — Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017

World Desk

1991 — Soviet Coup Collapses; Gorbachev Returns to Power

The hard-line takeover collapses in three days, with Boris Yeltsin rallying crowds from atop a tank before coup leaders flee or are arrested on August 21, 1991.

The coup attempt against Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev collapsed on August 21, 1991, after three tense days that brought the world to the brink. The hard-line communists who seized control on August 19 failed to hold power, and Gorbachev was restored to office.

The plotters, a group of senior officials including the KGB chief, the defense minister, and the vice president, had placed Gorbachev under house arrest at his vacation home in Crimea. They then sent tanks into Moscow, but met with popular resistance. Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who defied the junta, climbed atop a tank outside the White House and waved the tricolor flag, calling for a general strike. Crowds rallied to his defense, and soldiers refused to fire.

By August 21, the coup leaders had fled or were arrested. Gorbachev returned to Moscow, and the Soviet parliament condemned the takeover. The failed coup fatally weakened the Communist Party and accelerated the breakup of the Soviet Union. The Soviet flag was lowered over the Kremlin later that year.

• Coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev collapses.

Source: Wikipedia — 1991 Soviet coup attempt

Foreign Desk

1983 — Aquino Slain at Manila Airport

The opposition leader, returning from exile, is shot dead on the tarmac in a moment that stunned the nation.

The man lay face down on the tarmac, blood pooling around his head, moments after stepping off a China Airlines flight. Benigno Aquino Jr., the Philippine opposition leader, had just returned from three years of exile in the United States. He was shot at Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983.

Aquino, 50, had vowed to challenge President Ferdinand Marcos. As he descended the stairs, a single gunshot rang out. Security guards rushed toward him, and within minutes his body was taken away.

Word spread quickly through the crowd that had gathered to welcome him. Many had expected his return to mark a turning point in the struggle against Marcos. Instead, it became a rallying cry.

The airport was later renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honor.

• Philippine opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. is assassinated at Manila International Airport (now renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honor).

Source: Wikipedia — Ninoy Aquino

Africa Desk

1986 — Lake Nyos Gas Kills 1,700 in Cameroon

Deadly cloud from volcanic lake asphyxiates villagers and livestock in a rare natural disaster.

A silent cloud of carbon dioxide gas swept from Lake Nyos in Cameroon overnight, killing up to 1,800 people within a 20-kilometre range. The eruption, which occurred on August 21, 1986, released over 80 million cubic meters of gas, asphyxiating around 1,700 people and 3,000 livestock.

• The eruption released over 80 million cubic meters of carbon dioxide.
• The gas cloud asphyxiated around 1,700 people and 3,000 livestock.
• Landslides were the suspected trigger for the 1986 Lake Nyos eruption.
• It was the second recorded limnic eruption, following one at Lake Monoun in 1984.
• The eruption occurred at Lake Nyos in Cameroon.

Source: Wikipedia — Volcano

Golf

2000 — Woods Wins PGA, Captures Third Major of Year

Tiger Woods becomes the first golfer since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in a calendar year.

In a season for the ages, Tiger Woods has done what no golfer has managed in 47 years. By taking the 82nd PGA Championship, Woods became the first since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in a single year. The victory caps a dominant run that has reshaped the sport.

• American golfer Tiger Woods wins the 82nd PGA Championship and becomes the first golfer since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in a calendar year.

Source: Wikipedia — Tiger Woods

Museums

1911 — Louvre Employee Steals Mona Lisa; Painting Missing

Vincenzo Peruggia, a museum employee, took Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece from the Louvre; it was not recovered until two years later.

Vincenzo Peruggia, an employee of the Louvre, has admitted stealing Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, claiming Italian patriotism. The painting vanished from the museum and remained lost for two years. Its recovery in 1914 drew unprecedented attention to art theft. Peruggia believed the masterpiece rightfully belonged to Italy.

• The Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre by museum employee Vincenzo Peruggia.
• The painting was not recovered until two years after the theft.
• Peruggia attributed his actions to Italian patriotism, believing the painting should belong to Italy.
• The theft and subsequent recovery in 1914 generated unprecedented publicity for an art theft.

Source: Wikipedia — Leonardo da Vinci

White House

1959 — Hawaii Becomes 50th State as Eisenhower Signs Order

President Dwight D. Eisenhower's executive order proclaims Hawaii the 50th state of the union, a move commemorated by Hawaii Admission Day.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an executive order today proclaiming Hawaii the 50th state of the union, capping a long path to statehood that began with annexation in 1898. The order takes effect immediately, making Hawaii the newest star on the American flag. The islands, with their strategic Pacific position and diverse population, had waited years for this moment. Hawaii Admission Day now marks the occasion annually. The signing followed congressional approval and a popular vote in the territory. Eisenhower, in a brief ceremony, called the move a fulfillment of democratic promise. The state's first elections are expected later this year.

• United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs an executive order proclaiming Hawaii the 50th state of the union. Hawaii's admission is currently commemorated by Hawaii Admission Day.

Source: Wikipedia — President of the United States

Virginia

1831 — Nat Turner Leads Slave Rebellion in Virginia

Nat Turner leads black slaves and free blacks in a rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, leaving 55 to 65 whites dead.

Nat Turner led a rebellion of black slaves and free blacks in Southampton County, Virginia, on August 21. The uprising has claimed the lives of 55 to 65 whites and about twice that number of blacks. Authorities are moving to suppress the revolt.

• Nat Turner leads black slaves and free blacks in a rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, which will claim the lives of 55 to 65 whites and about twice that number of blacks.

Source: Wikipedia — Nat Turner