23 significant historical events occurred on August 31. August 31 has seen numerous important historical events over more than a century, with six major occurrences recorded on this day. It marks diplomatic achievements like the 1907 Anglo-Russian Entente, which changed European alliances, as well as tragedies such as the 1997 death of Diana, Princess of Wales in a Paris car accident. Other events include World War II incidents such as the staged Gleiwitz attack in 1939 and the Soviet evacuation of Tallinn in 1941.
24 famous birthdays on August 31
Including H. David Politzer, Maria Montessori, Hassan Nasrallah
Event Distribution by Century
Darker = Higher Density0th Century
1 event16th Century
1 event19th Century
5 events20th Century
11 eventsAnglo-Russian Entente — treaty between the British and Russian Empires, signed on 1907 in St. Petersburg, ending their rivalry in Central Asia to unite against Germany, in which southern Persia, Tibet, and Afghanistan were acknowledged as British sphere of influence
Soviet evacuation of Tallinn — evacuation of the Baltic Fleet and pro-Soviet citizens from Tallinn
1990 treaty dissolving the German Democratic Republic by joining the Federal Republic of Germany (Unification Treaty)
Death of Diana, Princess of Wales — road accident causing the death of the British princess
21st Century
5 eventsExplore More for August 31
Discover births, deaths, and deeper historical trends for this date.