August 31st

Armenia severed diplomatic relations with Hungary, after the pardoning of Ramil Safarov. In 2004, Safarov was convicted of killing an Armenian soldier.

President Barack Obama ended the U.S. combat mission in Iraq, declaring no victory after seven years of bloodshed.

Walt Disney Co. announced it was acquiring comic book giant Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion.

Iran defied a U.N. deadline to stop enriching uranium.

Some 1,000 people were killed when a religious procession across a Baghdad bridge was engulfed in panic over rumors of a suicide bomber.

North Korea Announces the Launch of its First Satellite. According to government sources of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the satellite called Kwangmyongsong-1 was successfully launched into lower Earth orbit. Most space agencies around the world, have not been able to confirm whether the launch was successful.

Princess Diana and her companion Dodi al-Fayed were killed in a car accident in Paris.

Russia officially ended its military presence in the former East Germany and the Baltics after half a century.

White separatist Randy Weaver surrendered to authorities in Naples, Idaho, ending an 11-day siege by federal agents that claimed the lives of Weaver's wife and son and a deputy U.S. marshal.

Uzbekistan declares its independence from the Soviet Union. The Central Asian country had become a part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, and was made part of the Soviet Union as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924. The country celebrates September 1 as its Independence Day.

California's "Night Stalker" killer Richard Ramirez was captured by residents of an East Los Angeles neighborhood.

Poland's Solidarity labor movement had its beginnings when an agreement ending a 17-day strike was signed in Gdansk.

The Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago became independent within the British Commonwealth.

Federation of Malaya gains independence from Great Britain.

Hurricane Carol hit the northeastern United States, resulting in nearly 70 deaths and millions of dollars in damage.

The Liberal Party of Australia is founded by Robert Menzies.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an act prohibiting the export of U.S. arms to belligerents.

Mary Ann Nichols, a prostitute, was found murdered in London's East End. She is generally regarded as the first victim of Jack the Ripper.

Thomas Edison received a patent for his "Kinetoscope," and moving pictures were born.

Possible date for establishment of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) League - with the aid of Hiawatha and Deganawidah.

Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill, dying suddenly a few days later, without children to succeed the throne, ending the Macedonian dynasty.