This Day in History: August 14

2010 The Inaugural Youth Olympics Commences

An Olympic-style sporting event was convened by the International Olympic Committee in Singapore, marking the inception of the Youth Olympics. Maintaining the four-year cycle of the traditional Olympics, the Youth Olympics also encompasses summer and winter versions. Following this inaugural event, the first Winter Youth Olympics took place in January 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria. The games are exclusively open to athletes aged between 14 to 18 years.

1971 The Stanford Prison Experiments are Initiated

The questionable Stanford prison experiments aimed at understanding the manipulation of authority within a prison environment were instigated on this year. The disturbing impact on trial participants led to a premature termination of the experiments on the 6th day.

1947 Pakistan Achieves Independence from British Colonization

The southern Asian region of the British Empire was segregated into two countries, India and Pakistan, effective from August 14, 1947. The newly independent Pakistan formed part of the commonwealth with Liaquat Ali Khan appointing himself as the first Prime Minister.

1935 Social Security Act is Ratified in the USA

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. The Act aimed at supporting unemployed citizens, retirees, and individuals with disabilities.

1904 Battle of Ulsan Gets Underway

The Battle of Ulsan, alternatively known as the Battle of the Japanese Sea, was a dispute between Russia and Japan. The conflict was a part of the Russo-Japanese War.

1281 Kublai Khan Executes his Second Attempt to Invade Japan

Kublai Khan's second Mongolian incursion on Japan witnessed his invading Chinese fleet of 3,500 vessels vanishing in a typhoon near Japan.

1842 Second Seminole War Ends

Declared over by US Army Colonel Worth, the Second Seminole War that lasted for almost seven years saw more than 3,000 Seminole Nation survivors being relocated from Florida to Oklahoma while only about 300 were allowed to remain.

1945 V-J Day, Japan Surrenders Marking the end of WW II

In a unconditional surrender, Japan conceded to its defeat, hence marking the end of World War II. The surrender is celebrated on 15th - 16th August, depending on the time zone.

1947 Pakistan Declared as an Independent nation from Great Britain

Pakistan marked its independence from Great Britain.

1969 British Army Begins Operation Banner in Northern Ireland

The British army commenced their assignment on the streets of Northern Ireland, symbolizing the onset of Operation Banner.

1980 Strike at Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland Spawns the Solidarity Movement

A significant movement in Polish history, approximately 17,000 shipyard workers went on strike at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, marking the initiation of the Solidarity movement.