What Happened on August 31?

August 31 is National Trail Mix Day — a crunchy snack for adventures — on the same date Solidarity won recognition in Poland in 1980, Malaysia celebrated Merdeka in 1957, and Trinidad and Tobago became independent in 1962.

• 1886 — Powerful earthquake rocks Charleston, South Carolina

  On August 31, 1886, a major earthquake struck near Charleston, one of the strongest recorded in the eastern United States. Read the full story →

• 1935 — President Roosevelt signs the Neutrality Act of 1935

  On August 31, 1935, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a Neutrality Act aimed at keeping the United States out of foreign wars. Read the full story →

• 1957 — Federation of Malaya proclaims independence (Merdeka)

  On August 31, 1957, the Federation of Malaya gained independence from Britain — celebrated as Merdeka Day. Read the full story →

• 1962 — Trinidad and Tobago becomes independent

  On August 31, 1962, Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from Britain, with Eric Williams as prime minister. Read the full story →

• 1980 — Solidarity is born from the Gdańsk shipyard accords

  On August 31, 1980, agreements at Gdańsk’s shipyard recognized Solidarity, a free trade union that helped transform Poland. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Maria Montessori (1870–1952) · Itzhak Perlman (1945) · Van Morrison (1945) · Richard Gere (1949)

Days & observances

National Trail Mix Day · International Overdose Awareness Day · We Love Memoirs Day · National Eat Outside Day