Discover What Happened Today in History
The Soviet Union formally declared war on the Empire of Japan, invading Japanese-held Manchuria. This action, coming just days after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, hastened Japan's decision to surrender in World War II.
In Buckinghamshire, England, a gang of 15 robbers stopped a Royal Mail train and stole £2.6 million (equivalent to over £50 million today). It became one of the most infamous crimes in British history.
The 2008 Summer Olympics officially began in Beijing, China, with a spectacular and meticulously choreographed opening ceremony. It was viewed by a global audience and showcased China's emergence as a major world power.
U.S. President Richard Nixon announced on national television that he would resign from office the following day. This followed the Watergate scandal and the imminent threat of impeachment by Congress.
Inventor Albert T. Marshall received a U.S. patent for the first mechanical refrigerator. This invention would eventually revolutionize food storage, transportation, and domestic life.