On This Day Archive for August 2008

August 31, 2005: Stampede kills nearly 1,000 in Iraq

for August 31, 2008

from the September 01, 2005 edition
Panic of war sparks human tragedy in Iraq
At least 700 Shiites died Wednesday as a pilgrimage turned into a stampede.
By Dan Murphy | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
BAGHDAD - What began as a tense yet joyful day for Iraq’s Shiites, with about [...]

August 30, 2008: Mikhail Gorbachev resigns as General Secretary of the Communist Party

for August 30, 2008

from the August 26, 1991 edition
Russians Press for Clean Sweep
Justin Burke, Special to The Christian Science Monitor
MOSCOW—
THE Communist Party’s startling descent following the failed coup, capped by Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev’s resignation as party leader, began with the removal of the statue of hated KGB founder Felix Dzerzhinsky.Mr. Gorbachev announced he was stepping down as [...]

August 29, 2005: Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast

for August 29, 2008

from the September 21, 2005 edition
What we know so far - and what we don’t
By Peter Grier | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
WASHINGTON - Why did it take so long? Why was government at almost all levels sluggish in providing aid to the victims of hurricane Katrina?
That’s an [...]

August 28, 1963: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gives his “I Have a Dream” speech

for August 28, 2008

from the August 30, 1963 edition of The Christian Science Monitor
Special to the Christian Science Monitor
King Sights ‘Day of Justice’
The following are excerpts from the speech of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, at the civil-rights ceremonies on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Wednesday.
Washington
Now is the [...]

August 27, 2003: Mars draws closer to earth than it has in 60,000 years

for August 27, 2008

from the August 21, 2003 edition
Earth to Mars: Come closer
By Robert C. Cowen
Jupiter may be king of the mythological gods. But, among the planets, it’s Mars’ time to shine. When it draws closer to Earth than it has in some 60,000 years next Wednesday, it will be brighter than any planet [...]

August 26, 2002: Earth Summit 2002 was held in South Africa

for August 26, 2008

from the August 27, 2002 edition
Developing world wants action, not talk, at summit
By Nicole Itano | Special to The Christian Science Monitor
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - A decade ago, simply raising awareness in the industrialized world about environmental protection and improving the standard of living for the world’s poor was the challenge. [...]

August 25 1944: Paris Liberated by the Allies in World War II

for August 25, 2008

PARIS JOYFULLY WELCOMES de GAULLE; ALLIES CAPTURE TROYES AND AVIGNON; ALL-OUT DRIVE OPENS FOR PORT OF BREST
From the August 26, 1944 edition
French leader’s entry brings demonstration of thanks witnessed few times in history.
Paris has known many memorable days in its long history but none more stirring than the present.
The state arrival of Gen. Charles de [...]

August 24 1990: Soviet Premier Gorbachev Resigns as Head of Communist Party

for August 24, 2008

AS GOES THE PARTY, SO GOES THE SOVIET UNION
From the August 26, 1991 edition
MOSCOW —
WITH the Communist Party smashed beyond recognition, the future of the Soviet Union appears to be in serious doubt.The party was the glue that kept the 15 diverse republics of the nation together. Now that the party has essentially dissolved, there [...]

August 23 1990: Armenia declares independence from the Soviet Union

for August 23, 2008

DEFIANT ARMENIANS TAKE STAND BECOMING NINTH SOVIET REPUBLIC TO DECLARE SOVEREIGNTY
From the August 28, 1990 edition
THE blue and red flag of Soviet Armenia was hauled down from the post on top of the elegant red-stone parliament building in Yerevan on Friday. In its place flew the maroon, blue, and gold tricolor that heralds the first [...]

August 22, 2004: A version of Edvard Munch’s painting The Scream was stolen in Norway

for August 22, 2008

from the August 27, 2004 edition
Art museums balance access against security
By Christopher Andreae | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
Since “The Scream” by Norwegian angst-artist Edvard Munch was stolen by armed robbers last Sunday, the media have been asking every art expert in sight, Why does this keep happening?
Art thefts, [...]