Europa
- 1875: Matthew Webb Becomes the First Person to Swim the English Channel
On August 25, 1875, Matthew Webb completed his historic swim across the English Channel, becoming the first person to do so. Starting from Dover, England, and arriving on the French coast after 21 hours and 45 minutes, Webb’s achievement was celebrated across Europe and made him a celebrity of the Victorian era. - 1919: World’s First International Daily Air Service Begins
On August 25, 1919, the world’s first international daily air service was launched between London and Paris. This pioneering event marked a significant milestone in European—and global—aviation history, laying the groundwork for the modern era of international travel. - 1939: Anglo-Polish Military Alliance Signed Amid Rising Tensions
On August 25, 1939, as tensions escalated in Europe on the eve of World War II, Britain and Poland signed a formal military alliance. This agreement was a direct response to the growing threat posed by Nazi Germany and followed the signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact. The alliance was intended to deter German aggression, but just days later, Germany would invade Poland, sparking the Second World War. - 1944: Liberation of Paris
On August 25, 1944, Paris was liberated from German occupation by Allied forces after several days of fighting. General Charles de Gaulle famously declared, “Paris outraged! Paris broken! Paris martyred! But Paris liberated!” The liberation of Paris was a pivotal moment in the closing stages of World War II in Europe and a symbol of hope for occupied countries. - On the same day, a tragic event occurred in the French village of Maillé, where German troops massacred many of its inhabitants as they retreated before the advancing Allies. This massacre, though less known than the liberation of Paris, remains a somber reminder of the war’s brutality.
America
- 1814: Burning of Washington Continues
During the War of 1812, on August 25, British troops continued their attack on Washington, D.C., burning several key public buildings including the Library of Congress, the United States Treasury, and the Department of War. - 1823: Hugh Glass Mauled by a Grizzly Bear
American fur trapper Hugh Glass was severely mauled by a grizzly bear while on an expedition in South Dakota. His ordeal became legendary and inspired books and films. - 1835: The Great Moon Hoax Begins
The first installment of the “Great Moon Hoax” was published in The New York Sun, falsely claiming the discovery of life and civilization on the Moon. The story captivated and fooled many readers. - 1916: Creation of the National Park Service
President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act, officially establishing the National Park Service to manage and protect America’s national parks and monuments. - 1948: First Televised HUAC Hearing
The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) held its first-ever televised congressional hearing, featuring a dramatic confrontation between Whittaker Chambers and Alger Hiss during the early years of the Cold War. - 1967: Assassination of George Lincoln Rockwell
George Lincoln Rockwell, founder of the American Nazi Party, was assassinated by a former member in Arlington, Virginia. - 2017: Hurricane Harvey Makes Landfall
Hurricane Harvey struck Texas as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, causing catastrophic flooding, killing over 100 people, and resulting in $125 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
Asia
- 1894: Discovery of the Bubonic Plague Agent in Asia
Japanese physician Kitasato Shibasaburō published his discovery of the infectious agent causing bubonic plague, a breakthrough that had a profound impact on public health across Asia and the world. - 1904: Battle of Liaoyang Begins (Russo-Japanese War)
On August 25, 1904, the Battle of Liaoyang—one of the largest land battles of the Russo-Japanese War—began in Manchuria (northeastern China). This conflict marked a turning point in Asian and global military history, as Japan’s victory would later establish it as a major world power. - 1912: Founding of the Kuomintang (KMT) in Peking
The Kuomintang (KMT), or Chinese Nationalist Party, was founded for the first time in Peking (now Beijing) on this day. The KMT would play a central role in the political and revolutionary history of 20th-century China. - 1933: Diexi Earthquake in Sichuan, China
The Diexi earthquake struck Mao County, Sichuan, China, on August 25, 1933, killing around 9,000 people. It remains one of the deadliest earthquakes in Chinese history. - 1941: Anglo-Soviet Invasion of Iran
On August 25, 1941, British and Soviet forces jointly invaded Iran. The operation aimed to secure oil fields and ensure supply lines to the Soviet Union during World War II, dramatically impacting Iran’s political landscape. - 1945: End of the Nguyễn Dynasty in Vietnam
The August Revolution in Vietnam concluded as Emperor Bảo Đại abdicated on August 25, 1945, ending the Nguyễn dynasty and paving the way for the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam under Hồ Chí Minh. - On August 25, 2021, significant clashes and a Russian-brokered truce were reported in Syria’s Daraa Governorate during the ongoing Syrian civil war. Rebel fighters began withdrawing as part of the peace process.
Africa
- 1998: Planet Hollywood Bombing in Cape Town, South Africa
On August 25, 1998, a bomb exploded at the Planet Hollywood restaurant located at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. The attack killed two people and injured 26 others, marking a significant and tragic event in South Africa’s post-apartheid era. - 1920: Anglo-Egyptian Treaty Establishes Egyptian Sovereignty
On August 25, 1920, the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty was signed, formally establishing Egypt as a sovereign state after 50 years of British occupation. This treaty was a pivotal moment in Egypt’s modern history and the broader anti-colonial movement in Africa.
This day in history: 25 august