From Presidential Resignations to Submarine Spies
Jim Ward is back for another deep dive into “This Week in History,” covering major moments occurring between August 2 and August 8.
Key Historical Milestones
- August 2, 1776 – Congressional Delegates Sign the Declaration: Fifty-six delegates signed a handwritten, “engrossed” copy of the Declaration of Independence on parchment paper. While passed on July 4, this version officially collected signatures ordered by Congress.
- August 2, 1990 – Iraq Invades Kuwait: Iraqi forces rapidly overwhelmed Kuwait, seizing control of 20% of the world’s oil reserves and initiating events that led to Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
- August 3, 1492 – Christopher Columbus Sets Sail: Columbus departed from Palos, Spain, with the Santa Maria, Pinta, and Niña, aiming for Asia before landing in the Bahamas and Hispaniola.
- August 3, 1958 – USS Nautilus Reaches the North Pole: The world’s first nuclear submarine completed the first successful undersea voyage across the geographic North Pole, traveling 1,330 miles under the Arctic ice.
- August 3, 1984 – Mary Lou Retton’s Olympic Gold: Earning consecutive perfect 10s just six weeks after knee surgery, Retton became the first American woman to win individual Olympic gold in gymnastics.
- August 4, 1936 – Jesse Owens Dominates Berlin: Track star Jesse Owens secured his second of four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics, dismantling Hitler’s propaganda surrounding Aryan superiority.
- August 4, 1944 – Capture of Anne Frank: Acting on an informant’s tip, the Gestapo raided the secret annex in Amsterdam, capturing 15-year-old Anne Frank and her family.
- August 5, 1858 – Transatlantic Telegraph Cable Completed: Merchant Cyrus West Field successfully established the first transatlantic cable line, enabling President James Buchanan and Queen Victoria to exchange historic messages.
- August 5, 1924 – Little Orphan Annie Debuts: Harold Gray’s famous comic strip debuted in the New York Daily News, inspired by an 1885 poem whose title became permanent due to a typesetting error.
- August 6, 1787 – Constitutional Debates Begin: Delegates in Philadelphia began debating the draft U.S. Constitution, resolving representation disputes via the Connecticut Compromise.
- August 6, 1945 – Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima: The Enola Gay dropped the first atomic weapon used in warfare, killing roughly 80,000 instantly and ushering in the nuclear age.
- August 6, 1965 – Voting Rights Act Signed: President Lyndon B. Johnson signed historic legislation prohibiting discriminatory voting practices nationwide.
- August 7, 1782 – Washington Creates the Purple Heart: General George Washington established the Badge for Military Merit, the predecessor to the modern Purple Heart.
- August 7, 1974 – Philippe Petit’s High-Wire Walk: Petit traversed an inch-thick wire strung between the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers eight times before surrendering to police.
- August 8, 1863 – Robert E. Lee Tenders Resignation: Following defeat at Gettysburg, Lee requested to be replaced, but Confederate President Jefferson Davis refused the request.
- August 8, 1942 – German Saboteurs Executed: Six German spies who landed in Amagansett, Long Island, were executed after a fellow saboteur turned the plot over to the FBI.
- August 8, 1974 – Nixon Resigns: Facing inevitable impeachment over the Watergate scandal, President Richard Nixon announced his resignation in a televised address.
Resources & Further Listening
- MCPL YouTube Channel: Search for America 250, This Week in History, or watch Jim’s video series History Bites here: History Bites
