Today in 1786, Shay's Rebellion beganin Springfield, Massachusetts.
Today in 1850, Honolulu became a city…and was dubbed the capital city of Hawaii by King Kamehameha III.
Today in 1852, the first pre-stamped envelopes were created with the Postal Act of 1852.
Today in 1881, the first men’s tennis championships in the U.S. were played.
Today in 1920, the first news program to be broadcast on radio was aired. The station was 8MK in Detroit, Michigan.
Today in 1935, the act of exporting American arms to belligerents was prohibited by an act signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Today in 1950, Gil Hodges of the Brooklyn Dodgers hit four home runs in a single game off of four different pitchers.
Today in 1959, Sandy Koufax set a National League record by striking out 18 hitters.
Today in 1985, the "Night Stalker" killer, Richard Ramirez, was captured by residents in Los Angeles, California. Ramirez had attempted a carjacking and while waiting for police to arrive, he was badly beaten. He was later convicted of and sentenced to death for 13 murders, five attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults and 14 burglaries. He died of natural causes while on death row.
Today in 1986, 82 people were killed when a small private plane collided with an Aeromexico DC-9 over Cerritos, California.
Today in 1988, a Delta Boeing 727 crashed during takeoff at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. While 13 people were killed, 94 survived in the accident that was later blamed on the crew's failure to set the wing flaps in their proper position.
Today in 1989, Great Britain's Princess Anne and Mark Phillips announced that they were separating after 16-years of marriage.
Today in 1992, Randy Weaver surrendered to authorities after an 11-day siege at his cabin Ruby Ridge, Idaho.
Today in 1996, Nadine Lockwood’s body was found in her family's apartment by New York City police. The four-year-old girl had been starved to death – she weighed just 15-1/2 pounds. Medical officials say a girl her age should have weighed 35 to 40 pounds.
Today in 1997, it was officially revealed that Princess Diana of Wales had died at age 36 in a car crash in Paris. Her companion, Dodi Fayed, and their chauffeur were also killed. Because of the time difference, it was the morning of August 31st in Paris when Diana was pronounced dead.
Today in 2015, President Obama officially re-designated Alaska’s Mt. McKinley as Denali, its Native American name.