In History, Today on August 31

The United States completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending nearly 20 years of military involvement in the country following the September 11 attacks.

Protests erupted in Hong Kong as demonstrators clashed with police, marking one of the largest and most intense protests against the extradition bill and the Chinese government's influence.

A court in Kenya nullified the results of the recent presidential election, ordering a new vote within 60 days, marking the first time a judicial body in Africa overturned a presidential election.

Dilma Rousseff was impeached and removed from office as President of Brazil, following a controversial trial over accusations of fiscal mismanagement.

Rwanda's first elected female prime minister, Pierre Habumuremyi, took office, succeeding Bernard Makuza.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced the end of combat operations in Iraq, marking a shift to Operation New Dawn, which focused on stability operations.

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) officially ended its armed campaign and decommissioned its weapons, marking a significant step in the Northern Ireland peace process.

Murder of Sister Abhaya case breakthrough in India when CBI arrested Fr. Thomas Kottoor and Sister Sephy as suspects, suggesting new investigatory leads in the longstanding case.

The Airbus A330 belonging to Air Transat Flight 236, which had made a successful gliding landing in the Azores on August 24, underwent tests to determine its certification. This day marked the completion of its final flight from Lajes Air Base back to Canada.

Diana, Princess of Wales, dies in a car crash in Paris, France.

The last Russian troops left Estonia, following the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. This withdrawal symbolized the end of Russian military presence in the Baltic state and was part of broader efforts to secure sovereignty over its territory.

Kyrgyzstan declares independence from the Soviet Union.

The Gdańsk Agreement was signed in Poland, allowing the creation of Solidarity, the first independent labor union in a Soviet-bloc country. This marked a pivotal moment in Polish history, contributing significantly to the eventual collapse of communist rule in Eastern Europe.

Trinidad and Tobago became an independent nation within the Commonwealth, gaining freedom from British colonial rule. The event marked a significant transition as the country established its own constitution and government.

The Federation of Malaya gained independence from the United Kingdom. The event marked the end of British colonial rule and the beginning of self-governance for Malaya, laying the foundation for the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

The United States and the Philippines signed a mutual defense treaty in Washington, D.C., which strengthened military cooperation between the two countries and solidified their strategic partnership during the early years of the Cold War.

The Liberal Party led by Robert Menzies won the Australian federal election, marking a significant shift in Australian politics.

Nazi Germany stages a fake Polish attack on a German radio station, providing a pretext for the invasion of Poland.

The United States Congress passed the first Neutrality Act, aimed at ensuring the U.S. remained impartial in the approaching tensions that would lead to World War II.

The first radio news program was broadcast by 8MK in Detroit, Michigan.

England, Russia, and France form the Triple Entente, a military alliance.

Thomas Edison patented the Kinetoscope, a device for viewing moving pictures.

Mary Ann Nichols is murdered, the first of Jack the Ripper's confirmed victims.

During the American Civil War, the Battle of Jonesborough began, leading to a significant Union victory that resulted in the fall of Atlanta.

The Treaty of Nanking was signed, marking the end of the First Opium War between the United Kingdom and the Qing Dynasty of China. This treaty was significant as it ceded the territory of Hong Kong to Britain, and opened several Chinese ports to British trade.

Lewis and Clark start their expedition to explore the American West from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Treaty of Hubertusburg was signed, officially ending the Third Silesian War, part of the Seven Years' War, between Prussia and Austria.

A violent tornado struck the city of Augsburg, causing significant destruction and loss of life.

The Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis took effective control over the city of Le Cateau-Cambrésis back to the Holy Roman Empire, concluding Italian Wars.

Pope Clement VII issued a papal bull ordering a Spanish Inquisition into character defamation, intensifying the Spanish Inquisition's impact.

King Henry V of England dies unexpectedly in France, leaving his infant son, Henry VI, as king.

On August 31, 1303, the University of Rome was chartered by Pope Boniface VIII.

The Rashidun Caliphate's third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, is assassinated in Medina, leading to the First Fitna, a major civil war within the Islamic community.

Birth of Gaius Caesar, also known as Caligula, who would later become the third Roman emperor.