Martin Luther King Jr. Delivers "I Have a Dream" Speech in Washington D.C.
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. The speech is considered one of the most important in American history and is a defining moment in the civil rights movement.
Civil Rights March on Washington D.C.
The "I Have a Dream" speech was the culmination of the Civil Rights March on Washington, which was organized by a coalition of civil rights groups. Over 200,000 people participated in the march, making it one of the largest demonstrations in American history.
Emmett Till Murder Trial Begins
On August 28, 1955, the murder trial of Emmett Till began in Mississippi. Till was a 14-year-old African American boy who was brutally murdered by two white men for allegedly flirting with a white woman. The trial received national attention and is considered a key moment in the civil rights movement.
Queen Elizabeth II Visits Jamaica
On August 28, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II made her first official visit to Jamaica as the Queen of England. The visit was part of a tour of the Commonwealth and was seen as a symbol of the strong ties between Jamaica and England.
Mount Vesuvius Eruption
On August 28, 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in ash and pumice. The eruption was one of the deadliest in history, with an estimated death toll of around 16,000 people.
Jack the Ripper's First Victim Found
On August 28, 1888, the body of Mary Ann Nichols was found in Whitechapel, London. Nichols is considered to be the first victim of Jack the Ripper, a serial killer who terrorized the streets of London in the late 1800s.
Michael Jackson's Memorial Service
On August 28, 2009, a public memorial service was held for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The service was attended by over 17,000 fans and celebrities and was broadcast live around the world.
Babe Ruth Hits 500th Career Home Run
On August 28, 1929, Babe Ruth hit his 500th career home run, becoming the first player in baseball history to reach that milestone. Ruth finished his career with a total of 714 home runs, a record that stood for over 30 years.
Mars Exploration Rover Lands on Mars
On August 28, 2012, the Mars Exploration Rover Curiosity landed on the surface of Mars. The rover was designed to explore the planet's surface and search for signs of past or present life.
Billie Jean King Defeats Bobby Riggs in "Battle of the Sexes" Tennis Match
On August 28, 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in a highly publicized tennis match dubbed the "Battle of the Sexes". The match was seen as a turning point in the women's rights movement and helped to promote gender equality in sports.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-In for Peace Begins
On August 28, 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono began their "Bed-In for Peace" at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. The couple stayed in bed for a week, inviting the media to promote their message of world peace.
Charles Lindbergh Receives Medal of Honor
On August 28, 1927, Charles Lindbergh was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Calvin Coolidge for his historic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Lindbergh's flight was a major milestone in aviation history and helped to pave the way for commercial air travel.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana's Wedding Anniversary
On August 28, 1981, Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married in a lavish ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The wedding was watched by over 750 million people around the world and is considered one of the most iconic events of the 20th century.
Alcatraz Island Becomes a Federal Penitentiary
On August 28, 1934, Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay became a federal penitentiary. The prison was known for its harsh conditions and was home to some of the most notorious criminals in American history, including Al Capone and "Machine Gun" Kelly.
NASA Challenger Disaster
On August 28, 1986, NASA's Challenger space shuttle exploded just 73 seconds after takeoff, killing all seven crew members on board. The disaster was a major setback for NASA's space program and led to a temporary suspension of shuttle launches.
Jimi Hendrix's Final Performance
On August 28, 1970, Jimi Hendrix played his final live performance at the Isle of Wight Festival in England. Hendrix died just three weeks later from a drug overdose, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
US Open Tennis Championship Begins
On August 28, 1881, the first US Open tennis championship began at the Newport Casino in Rhode Island. The tournament has since become one of the most prestigious events in the sport and is held annually in New York City.