In History, Today on August 14

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Haiti, causing widespread destruction and resulting in over 2,200 deaths.

The Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy, collapses during a rainstorm, killing 43 people. The disaster raises questions about infrastructure maintenance and safety standards in Italy.

The United States reopened its embassy in Havana, Cuba, marking the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries after more than 50 years.

The Egyptian military launched a violent crackdown on supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi in Cairo, resulting in hundreds of deaths.

The first-ever Youth Olympic Games opened in Singapore, featuring athletes aged 14 to 18 from around the world.

An earthquake measuring 8.0 on the moment magnitude scale struck Peru, resulting in significant damage and around 500 fatalities. Its epicenter was located near the city of Pisco.

The United Nations-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect, ending the 34-day conflict known as the 2006 Lebanon War.

A major blackout affected parts of the northeastern and midwestern United States and Ontario, Canada, leaving an estimated 50 million people without power.

Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, known as Carlos the Jackal, was captured in Sudan and extradited to France.

Lech Wałęsa led a strike at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland, which eventually led to the formation of the Solidarity movement.

Bahrain declared its independence from the United Kingdom.

Japan announced its unconditional surrender to the Allies, effectively ending World War II. This day is known as V-J Day (Victory over Japan Day).

The Atlantic Charter was issued by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, outlining their goals for the post-war world.

China declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary, joining the Allies in World War I.

The first claimed powered flight by Gustave Whitehead is reported to have occurred in Fairfield, Connecticut.

The Boxer Rebellion in China ended with the capture of Beijing by an international force, including troops from Japan, Russia, Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary.

France issues the first legislation requiring the registration of all motor vehicles, the first such law in history.

The Treaty of Tientsin, also known as the Treaty of Tianjin, is signed between France and China, ending the Sino-French War.

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany was completed, 632 years after it began in 1248.

The Second Seminole War ended with the United States Army declaring victory over the Seminole tribe in Florida.

The Treaty of Rastatt was ratified, putting an end to hostilities between France and the Holy Roman Empire, concluding the War of the Spanish Succession.

The Edict of Nantes was ratified by King Henry IV of France, granting substantial rights to the Huguenots, a Protestant minority in a predominantly Catholic nation, and putting an end to the religious wars that plagued France intermittently since the mid-16th century.

The second Mongol invasion of Japan ends with the destruction of the Mongol fleet by a typhoon, known as the kamikaze or 'divine wind,' helping repel the invasion forces.

The Peace of Constance was ratified, granting the Lombard League official recognition and freedoms by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.

King Duncan I of Scotland was killed in battle by his cousin Macbeth, who then succeeded him as King of Scotland.

Tiberius II Constantine is crowned as the Byzantine Emperor, succeeding Justin II.

The Visigoths, led by King Alaric I, begin their third siege of Rome, which eventually leads to the sack of the city later in August.