27 fun facts for August, 4

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
August 4th is an eventful day in history, with important birthdays such as Louis Armstrong, Barack Obama, and Billy Bob Thornton. This day also marked significant events including the founding of Melbourne, the discovery of the "Lucy" fossil, and the British capturing the Rock of Gibraltar. Celebrations on this day include National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, Coast Guard Day, and Olive Day in Turkey.
27 Fun facts
  1. On August 4, 1901, American jazz musician Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Known as "Satchmo," he became one of the most influential jazz musicians in history and transformed it into a popular art form.
  2. August 4th is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day in the United States. This day celebrates the invention of the chocolate chip cookie by Ruth Wakefield in 1938, which became an American favorite and a beloved dessert worldwide.
  3. In 1821, on August 4th, the Saturday Evening Post magazine was founded in the United States. It became a popular weekly publication for nearly 300 years, featuring various writers and artists, including Norman Rockwell and his iconic cover illustrations.
  4. On August 4th, 1961, Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He made history by becoming the first African American president of the United States in 2008.
  5. August 4th, 1854, marked the founding of the Australian city of Melbourne, initially started as a small pastoral settlement; now, Melbourne has become Australia's second-largest city known for its arts, sports, and culinary scenes.
  6. On August 4th, 1987, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States voted to rescind the Fairness Doctrine. The decision abolishing the policy, which required broadcasters to present honest and balanced coverage of public issues, significantly impacted American media.
  7. In the United States, August 4th is Coast Guard Day, a day to celebrate the founding of the United States Coast Guard in 1790. The day honors the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting the country's waters and maritime interests.
  8. August 4th, 1964, marked the discovery of a jawbone fossil in Ethiopia, which was later identified as an Australopithecus specimen named "Lucy." This discovery would significantly impact human evolution's understanding and study.
  9. In 1993, on August 4th, the Georgian Air Force bombed the capital of Abkhazia, Sukhumi, during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. This action was in response to Abkhaz forces seizing control of the city, leading to widespread violence.
  10. The United Nations declared August 4th as International Assistance Dog Week (IADW). The week’s purpose is to recognize and honor the hardworking dogs that assist people with disabilities, such as guide dogs, service dogs, or hearing aid dogs.
  11. August 4th, 1944, was the fateful day when Anne Frank and her family were discovered and arrested by the Gestapo after hiding in an Amsterdam attic for two years. Anne Frank's diary would later be published, detailing her experiences during that time.
  12. On August 4th, 1914, the United Kingdom declared war on Germany at the onset of World War I. This declaration led to the British Empire's full involvement in the war and significantly impacted the course of history.
  13. American actor and filmmaker, Billy Bob Thornton, was born on August 4, 1955. He has starred in a variety of films, such as "Sling Blade" and "Bad Santa," and has directed and written numerous films, earning multiple awards.
  14. Queen Elizabeth II's mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, also known as the Queen Mother, was born on August 4th, 1900. She was known for her influence on the British monarchy and support of the UK during World War II.
  15. August 4th, 1972, marked the release of NASA's Pioneer 10 space probe photos of Earth and the Moon taken from over 100,000 miles away. The pictures provided scientists with valuable insights into the Earth's size and structure.
  16. On August 4th, 1796, French mathematician Sophie Germain became the first woman to win a mathematics prize from the French Academy of Sciences. She made significant contributions to number theory, elasticity theory, and mathematical physics.
  17. August 4th, 2007, marked the launch of NASA's Mars Phoenix Lander. The lander would go on to discover ice on Mars's surface and contribute to our understanding of Mars's potential to support life.
  18. On August 4th, 1704, the British fleet, led by Admiral Sir George Rooke, captured the Rock of Gibraltar during the War of the Spanish Succession. Gibraltar still remains a British overseas territory today.
  19. August 4th is known as Single Working Women's Day, recognizing and acknowledging the achievements and contributions of single working women globally. The day encourages single women to celebrate their independence while supporting their peers.
  20. On August 4th, 1902, American composer and songwriter Dmitri Tiomkin was born. He is known for his work in film scores, with notable contributions to movies like "High Noon," "Dial M for Murder," and "Giant." He has won several Academy Awards for his compositions.
  21. August 4th, 1805, began the famous Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. This expedition significantly contributed to Americans' understanding of geography and natural resources in the western half of the United States.
  22. On August 4th, 1948, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands abdicated the throne due to health concerns, passing the crown to her daughter, Queen Juliana. Queen Wilhelmina was the longest-reigning Dutch monarch at the time with a 58-year reign.
  23. August 4th, 1846, marked the completion of the Smithsonian Institution Building, popularly known as "the castle." The building was designed in the neo-gothic style and became a famous landmark in Washington, D.C.
  24. On August 4th, 2012, Mo Farah, a British long-distance runner, won a gold medal in the 10,000 meters at the London Summer Olympics. Farah would go on to become an icon in British athletics and an inspiration to athletes worldwide.
  25. August 4th is "Olijfdag" or Olive Day in Turkey, a day dedicated to celebrating the importance of olives in Turkish culinary culture. Many activities, such as tastings and harvest ceremonies, take place as part of the festivities.
  26. On August 4th, 2005, then-Governor Jeb Bush of Florida declared a state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Irene ultimately resulting in heavy rain, flooding, and landslides in affected regions.
  27. The Warsaw Uprising, an operation by the Polish resistance, began on August 4th, 1944, aiming to liberate Warsaw from Nazi occupation. The conflict lasted 63 days and saw significant casualties on both sides.

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