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33 fun facts for August, 14

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 14th boasts a variety of fun and notable events, such as the completion of the Cologne Cathedral, the introduction of driving tests in France, and the satellite photo of Earth from space. The day also commemorates Pakistan's independence, the launch of NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery, and a variety of national celebrations like National Creamsicle Day and National Mortadella Day.
33 Fun facts
  1. In 1880, the construction of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany was completed after 632 years of work. This Roman Catholic cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Germany's most famous landmarks.
  2. August 14, 1893, France introduced a national driving test, making it the first country in the world to implement such a system. This measure was taken to ensure motorists' safety and competence on the road.
  3. On August 14, 1900, the Summer Olympic Games opened in Paris, France. These games marked the second modern Olympic Games and the first ever held outside of Athens, Greece.
  4. August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law in the United States. This groundbreaking legislation established a system of retirement benefits and financial stability for elderly Americans.
  5. In 1945, Japan accepted the unconditional surrender terms set forth by the Allies, effectively ending World War II. This event took place on August 14th and is also known as Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day) in the United States.
  6. On August 14, 1959, the first American satellite, Explorer 6, took the first photographic image of Earth from space. This significant milestone marked the beginning of Earth observation from space.
  7. August 14th is National Creamsicle Day in the United States, celebrating the delicious frozen treat that combines ice cream and fruity flavors on a stick.
  8. In 1960, NASA launched the Echo 1A satellite, which was the first successful passive communications satellite. This satellite reflected transmitted signals to allow for intercontinental communication without wires.
  9. On August 14, 1971, the controversial Stanford Prison Experiment began. This psychological study, led by Dr. Philip Zimbardo, tested the impact of perceived power dynamics between prisoners and prison guards.
  10. In 1980, Lech Walesa led the Gdansk Shipyard strike in Poland, which ultimately led to the development of the Solidarity movement. This was a significant step forward in the movement for political change in communist Poland.
  11. On August 14, 1984, NASA successfully launched the Space Shuttle Discovery on its maiden voyage. This was the third space shuttle in the United States fleet and conducted 39 successful missions before being retired.
  12. In 2003, a massive blackout struck the northeastern United States and parts of Canada, affecting over 50 million people. This incident became known as the Northeast Blackout, lasting up to four days in some areas.
  13. August 14th is National Navajo Code Talkers Day in the United States, honoring the important role Native American soldiers played in developing a code for secure military communications during World War II.
  14. On August 14, 2005, Hellas Sat, a Greek communications satellite, was successfully launched into orbit. This marked a significant advancement in the Greek telecommunication infrastructure.
  15. In 2008, Blizzard Entertainment released the online game "World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King" expansion in China. The game is a major success, with millions of subscribers worldwide.
  16. On August 14, 2010, the inaugural Youth Olympic Games began in Singapore. This multi-sport event, featuring athletes aged 15-18, aimed to inspire and engage younger generations in the spirit of the Olympics.
  17. In 2011, Google acquired Motorola Mobility, a mobile phone company, for $12.5 billion. This move positioned Google as a hardware manufacturer and highlighted its continued interest in the smartphone market.
  18. On August 14, 2012, Ecuador granted political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Assange had been hiding in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for two months, avoiding extradition to Sweden on sexual assault charges.
  19. In 2013, UPS Airlines, a division of United Parcel Service (UPS), celebrated its 25th anniversary on August 14th. This cargo airline has grown into one of the largest in the United States and globally.
  20. On August 14, 2014, Pakistan's Independence Day, massive protests erupted as thousands of demonstrators marched toward Islamabad, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
  21. In 2015, Cuban officials reopened their embassy in Washington D.C., signifying the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba after 54 years.
  22. On August 14, 2016, the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, saw the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team compete. This team consisted of ten athletes who were displaced from their home countries due to political conflict and persecution.
  23. In 2017, Sierra Leone experienced a major landslide near Freetown, leading to the deaths of more than 1,000 people and widespread devastation.
  24. On August 14, 2018, Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul" and iconic musician, passed away at the age of 76.
  25. August 14th is marked as National Mortadella Day in Italy. Mortadella is a large Italian sausage, and this day is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the traditional product.
  26. In 2019, Argentina experienced a massive stock market crash, with the Argentine peso losing 30% of its value against the US dollar.
  27. August 14 is National Independence Day in Pakistan, commemorating the nation's independence from British colonial rule in 1947.
  28. In 2020, the earth experienced an extremely rare "lichtenberg figure" that is popularly known as "Frozen Lightning." This fascinating spectacle takes place when lightning literally freezes in sand or sediments.
  29. August 14 is National Wiffle Ball Day in the United States, celebrating the beloved backyard game that involves a lightweight, perforated plastic ball.
  30. On August 14, 2021, Lionel Messi made his debut with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after leaving FC Barcelona. The transfer marked the end of Messi's 17-year professional career with Barcelona.
  31. August 14th is celebrated as National Financial Awareness Day in the United States. This day is meant to encourage individuals and families to gain financial literacy and take control of their financial situations.
  32. In 2022, Mars and the Sun will be exactly opposite each other in a rare celestial event called Mars opposition. This event results in the best viewing conditions for Mars from Earth.
  33. August 14 is National Tattoo Removal Day, a day that encourages individuals to remove unwanted tattoos and promotes awareness about innovations in tattoo removal technology.

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