South African writer, Sarah Britten celebrates her birthday. Image: Wikimedia Commons
On This Day in South Africa: What happened on 31 August?
We look back on this day in world and South African history, remembering the people and events that shaped the world we live in today.
South African writer, Sarah Britten celebrates her birthday. Image: Wikimedia Commons
Look at what happened on this day 31 August in history. From various achievements and milestones throughout human history to groundbreaking inventions and events that shaped the world we live in today.
Here is a look at some of the most notable events that happened on this day
ON THIS DAY: 31 AUGUST
2001 | The third United Nations-sponsored World Conference on Racism, held in South Africa for a week, drew delegates from 160 nations, who descended on Durban.
2002 | At least 236 people were killed by Typhoon Rusa, the most potent typhoon to strike South Korea in 43 years.
2005 | A stampede on Baghdad’s Al-Aaimmah bridge in 2005 claimed 953 lives.
2016 | Dilma Rousseff, the president of Brazil, was impeached and forced out of office.
2019 | Six people were aboard a sightseeing helicopter when it crashed in the Norwegian mountains near Skoddevarre. All 6 occupants died.
ALSO READ: What happened on 30 August?
BIRTHDAYS
1969 | Indian cricketer and referee, Javagal Srinath.
1974 | South African writer, Sarah Britten.
1976 | Brazilian footballer and manager, Roque Júnior.
1979 | Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer, Simon Neil.
1990 | South African rugby union player, Tom Botha.
DEATHS
2000 | American screenwriter, Lucille Fletcher, 88.
2006 | Egyptian footballer, Mohamed Abdelwahab, 23.
2010 | French cyclist, Laurent Fignon, 50.
2014 | Indian director and screenwriter, Bapu, 81.
2021 | Italian footballer, Francesco Morini, 77.
SPORTS
2002 | UniBond Division 1 side Stocksbridge Park Steels defeated Oldham Town 17-1 in an FA Cup Preliminary Round tie.
ENTERTAINMENT
2014 | On this day, Survivor lead singer Jimi Jamison died from a heart attack aged 63.
AFRICA FACT
South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana are the largest collection of weavers’ bird nests in the world.
