This Day in History: August 30

1142 Potential establishment of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) League

The Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) League was possibly established in 1142, although the exact date is disputed among scholars, with some arguing it could have been between 1450 and 1660.

1888 Discovering the very first victim of Jack the Ripper, Mary Ann Nichols

Jack the Ripper's first victim, Mary Ann Nichols, was found dead in the Whitechapel district of London's East End in 1888, marking the beginning of one of the most infamous unsolved murder cases in history.

1917 Sun Yat-sen's "rump" parliament establishes a military government in China

Leading a 'rump' parliament, Sun Yat-sen and his allies set up a military government in China and appointed Sun Yat-sen as commander-in-Chief in 1917, signaling a significant shift in the political landscape of the nation.

1945 Robert Menzies establishes the Liberal Party of Australia

In 1945, Robert Menzies founded the Liberal Party of Australia, one of the country's major political parties that has been at the forefront of Australian politics for over 70 years.

1957 The Federation of Malaya achieves independence from Britain

In 1957, the Federation of Malaya, now known as Malaysia, gained its independence from British rule. Once a leading producer of rubber, Malaysia fell under British control in the late 18th century.

1994 Provisional Irish Republican Army announces a ceasefire

In 1994, the Provisional Irish Republican Army, also known as Sinn Féin, declared a ceasefire in Northern Ireland, potentially marking a significant step towards the resolution of the region's long-standing conflict.

1997 Tragic demise of Diana, Princess of Wales, in a fatal car crash

Diana, Princess of Wales and former wife of British heir apparent Charles, met a tragic end in a car crash in a Paris tunnel in 1997. The fatal accident, caused by the driver losing control while trying to speed away from paparazzi, also claimed the lives of Diana's companion, Dodi al-Fayed, and the driver.

1998 North Korea's proclamation of its maiden satellite launch

North Korea announced the successful launch of its first satellite named Kwangmyongsong-1 into lower Earth orbit in 1998, according to the country's governmental sources. However, most global space agencies have yet to confirm the success of the launch.

1994 Departure of Russian troops from Estonia, three years after its independence declaration

In 1994, three years after declaring independence from the Soviet Union, Russia pulled out its troops from Estonia. The Baltic nation was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1944, during World War II, after initially being declared as the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1940.

1991 Uzbekistan's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union

Uzbekistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, following its annexation into the Russian Empire during the 19th century and later inclusion as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in the Soviet Union in 1924. The country now annually celebrates September 1 as Independence Day.