What Happened on August 4

World News

2020 — Beirut Devastated by Massive Blast

A colossal ammonium nitrate explosion at the Port of Beirut has killed at least 218 people, injured 7,000, and displaced roughly 300,000, with damage estimated at US$15 billion.

BEIRUT — A catastrophic explosion tore through the Port of Beirut on Tuesday evening, killing at least 218 people, injuring 7,000, and displacing approximately 300,000, with property damage estimated at US$15 billion.

The blast, caused by the ignition of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate confiscated from the cargo ship MV Rhosus in 2014, released energy comparable to 1.1 kilotons of TNT and generated a seismic event measuring 3.3 magnitude. A fire broke out in Warehouse 12 at 17:45 local time, and a team of nine firefighters and one paramedic was dispatched to fight it. The second explosion occurred 33 to 35 seconds after the first and was felt in northern Israel and Cyprus, 240 kilometers away.

• The explosion was caused by the ignition of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate confiscated in 2014 from the cargo ship MV Rhosus.
• The blast killed at least 218 people, injured 7,000, and displaced approximately 300,000, with property damage estimated at US$15 billion.
• The explosion released energy comparable to 1.1 kilotons of TNT and generated a seismic event measuring 3.3 magnitude.
• A fire broke out in Warehouse 12 at 17:45 local time, and a team of nine firefighters and one paramedic was dispatched to fight it.
• The second explosion occurred 33 to 35 seconds after the first and was felt in northern Israel and Cyprus, 240 kilometers away.

National Desk

1964 — NSA Report on Tonkin Attack Called False

The National Security Agency claimed a second attack on August 4, 1964, but evidence suggests it skewed intelligence.

In the murky waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, the destroyer Maddox had already reported a North Vietnamese attack earlier this week. Now, the National Security Agency has claimed a second assault on August 4, 1964.

But evidence suggests the NSA deliberately skewed intelligence to create the impression of an attack.

• The NSA deliberately skewed intelligence to create the impression that an attack had occurred on August 4, 1964.
• Former Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara admitted in the 2003 documentary 'The Fog of War' that there was no attack on August 4.
• In 1995, former North Vietnamese General Võ Nguyên Giáp told McNamara that 'absolutely nothing' happened on August 4, 1964.
• An internal NSA historical study declassified in 2005 concluded the August 4 incident was based on bad naval intelligence and misrepresentations.
• The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed by Congress after the incident, granted President Lyndon B. Johnson authority to assist Southeast Asian countries threatened by communist aggression.

Foreign Desk

1972 — Amin Orders Expulsion of Asians; Economy at Risk

President Idi Amin's decree expelling 50,000 British passport holders threatens Uganda's economy, which relies on Asians for 90% of tax revenue.

Uganda's economy, reliant on Asians for 90% of its tax revenue, faces collapse after President Idi Amin ordered the expulsion of 50,000 Asians who are British passport holders. The decree, announced on August 4, 1972, was later expanded to cover all 60,000 Asians who are not Ugandan citizens.

• On 4 August 1972, Amin ordered the expulsion of 50,000 Asians who were British passport holders.
• The decree was later expanded to cover all 60,000 Asians who were not Ugandan citizens.
• Amin called the expulsion an 'economic war' and referred to Asians as the 'Brown Jews'.
• Around 30,000 Ugandan Asians emigrated to the United Kingdom following the expulsion.
• India severed diplomatic relations with Uganda in response to the expulsion of Asians, most of Indian descent.

European Affairs

1796 — Bonaparte Breaks Austrian Relief at Lonato

At the Battle of Lonato, Bonaparte's forces defeated the Austrians on August 4, ending the relief attempt that had begun July 29.

In the annals of the French Revolutionary Wars, the summer of 1796 has been marked by bold maneuvers and sudden strokes, and none more so than the Battle of Lonato, where General Napoleon Bonaparte, commanding the French Army of Italy, has dealt a decisive blow to the Austrian forces under Peter Vitus von Quosdanovich.

The battle, part of the first relief attempt of the French Siege of Mantua, concluded on August 4 after a series of complex maneuvers that began July 29.

• Napoleon Bonaparte commanded the French Army of Italy at the Battle of Lonato.
• Austrian forces at Lonato were led by Peter Vitus von Quosdanovich.
• The battle was part of the first relief attempt of the French Siege of Mantua.
• Quosdanovich lost the Battle of Lonato after a series of complex maneuvers from July 29 to August 4, 1796.

Obituaries

1997 — Jeanne Calment, World's Oldest Person, Dies at 122

Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, the oldest person in recorded history, died at age 122 years, 164 days.

Jeanne Calment, the Frenchwoman who held the longest confirmed human lifespan in history, died at 122 years, 164 days. Born in Arles in 1875, she met Vincent van Gogh as a girl. She outlived her daughter and grandson, and kept riding a bicycle into her 100s. Her record remains unmatched. Her family said she credited a diet rich in olive oil, port wine, and chocolate for her longevity. Calment smoked cigarettes until age 117, quit only because she could no longer see to light them. She often joked that God had forgotten her.

• Jeanne Calment of France died in 1997 at age 122 years, 164 days.
• Calment's lifespan of 122 years, 164 days is the longest human lifespan documented.

War Desk

1995 — Croatian Army Unleashes Storm, Biggest European Battle Since

Operation Storm, the largest European land battle since the Second World War, opened today as Croatia moves to reclaim its territory.

The Croatian Army launched Operation Storm this morning, the last major battle of the Croatian War of Independence and the largest European land battle since the Second World War. Fighting is heavy across the Krajina region as Croatian forces press toward reclaiming all territory lost in 1991.

As of mid-1995, the conflict had already seen Operation Flash and Operation Storm bring an end to major fighting. Croatian flags now fly over most of the country, save the UNPA Sector East portion of Slavonia.

Reports from the front indicate resistance is crumbling. Civilians are fleeing the combat zones.

• The fighting in Croatia ended in mid-1995, after Operation Flash and Operation Storm.
• After Operation Storm, Croatia reclaimed all of its territory except the UNPA Sector East portion of Slavonia.
• Croat forces committed sexual violence against Serb women during Operations Flash and Storm, with an estimated 94–140 victims.

War Office

1914 — Britain Declares War on Germany Over Belgium

Ultimatum expires at 11 p.m.; fleet mobilizes as dominions prepare to follow.

The United Kingdom declared war on Germany at 11 o'clock tonight, August 4, 1914, after Germany refused to respect Belgian neutrality. The declaration came in response to the German invasion of Belgium, a violation of the Treaty of London, which Britain was bound to uphold.

Prime Minister H. H. Asquith announced the state of war in a brief statement to Parliament, and the Royal Navy was immediately ordered to begin a blockade of the German coast. France, honoring its own alliance, also moved toward war with Germany this evening.

• The United Kingdom declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, two days after the German invasion of Poland.
• France also declared war on Germany later the same day, 3 September 1939.
• Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced the state of war to the British public in a radio broadcast at 11:00.
• The Royal Navy initiated a naval blockade of Germany on 4 September 1939.
• The dominions of the British Empire quickly followed suit in declaring war after Britain's declaration.

West Africa Desk

1983 — Sankara Seizes Power in Upper Volta Coup

President Ouédraogo ousted by paratroopers; Sankara takes office after night of negotiations.

At 19:00, President Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo offered to resign "to facilitate the establishment of a transitional government that would be unanimous." Within hours, paratroopers from Pô marched on Ouagadougou, and by nightfall the government had fallen.

Thomas Sankara, the coup's leader, agreed to Ouédraogo's proposal but asked for a few hours' delay to discuss with Blaise Compaoré, leaving at 20:30. Around 22:00, Compaoré arrived at the president's residence, followed by Sankara an hour later.

Sankara informed Ouédraogo of the "revolution" and offered to exile him and his family. Sankara now heads the new government as President of Upper Volta.

• On August 4, 1983, Blaise Compaoré launched a coup; paratroopers from Pô marched on Ouagadougou.
• Ouédraogo offered to resign 'to facilitate the establishment of a transitional government that would be unanimous' at 19:00.
• Sankara agreed to the proposal but asked for a few hours' delay to discuss with Compaoré, leaving at 20:30.
• At around 22:00, Compaoré arrived at Ouédraogo's residence, followed by Sankara an hour later.
• Sankara informed Ouédraogo of the 'revolution' and offered to exile him and his family.

The Realm's Chronicle

1265 — Barons' War Ends as De Montfort Falls at Evesham

Prince Edward's royalist triumph frees King Henry III and shatters the rebel cause.

The Barons' War is over. On this fourth day of August, Prince Edward's royal host met Simon de Montfort's baronial army near Evesham, and the rebel leader fell dead, his power broken forever. De Montfort, with King Henry III in his train, had hoped to escape the prince's pursuit. But Edward, who fled Montfort's custody at Hereford in May and raised a fresh host at Worcester, had drawn away the earl's mightiest ally, Gilbert de Clare. On the first day of this month, the prince destroyed the army of Montfort's own son Simon at Kenilworth. At Evesham, Montfort and his son Henry were slain. The king, freed by the victory, rides again as sovereign, and England's crown stands firm. Clare's defection proved decisive, turning the baronial host to ruin before Edward's charge. De Montfort's body was left upon the field, his cause scattered. The crown's authority now rests unchallenged, and the realm looks to Prince Edward's strong hand.

• In May 1265, Prince Edward escaped from Simon de Montfort's custody at Hereford and assembled a new royalist army at Worcester.
• Edward attracted defectors from the baronial cause, most importantly Gilbert de Clare, de Montfort's most powerful ally.
• On 1 August 1265, Prince Edward destroyed the army of Simon de Montfort's son Simon at Kenilworth.
• Simon de Montfort and his son Henry were killed in the fighting at the Battle of Evesham on 4 August 1265.
• King Henry III, whom de Montfort had taken into battle, was freed after the royalist victory.