Historical Events on August 31

Anglo-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

Gleiwitz incident — 1939 staged attack by Nazi forces

Soviet evacuation of Tallinn — evacuation of the Baltic Fleet and pro-Soviet citizens from Tallinn

1980 Dutch Grand Prix — Formula One motor race held in 1980

death of Diana, Princess of Wales — road accident causing the death of the British princess

80 Albert Street Fire — deadly blaze in Johannesburg, South Africa