August 1 - The Day in History

August 1 : General Interest 1961: Texans head for the thrills at Six Flags On this day in 1961, amusement park lovers "head for the thrills" as Six Flags Over Texas, the first park in the Six Flags chain, opens... read more American Revolution 1774 : Joseph Priestley discovers oxygen http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/marquis-de-lafayette-becomes-a-major-general-without-pay Automotive 2007 : First drive-through ATM opens in China http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-drive-through-atm-opens-in-china Civil War 1864 : Sheridan takes command of Army of the Shenandoah http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sheridan-takes-command Cold War 1975 : Helsinki Final Act signed http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/helsinki-final-act-signed Crime 1966 : An ex-Marine goes on a killing spree at the University of Texas http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/an-ex-marine-goes-on-a-killing-spree-at-the-university-of-texas Disaster 1971 : Mysterious flood strikes North Vietnam http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mysterious-flood-strikes-north-vietnam General Interest 1498 : Columbus lands in South America http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/columbus-lands-in-south-america 1914 : First World War erupts http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-world-war-erupts 1944 : Warsaw Revolt begins http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/warsaw-revolt-begins Hollywood 1981 : MTV launches http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mtv-launches Literary 1994 : Pope John Paul II receives record-breaking advance http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pope-john-paul-ii-receives-record-breaking-advance Music 1981 : MTV makes its maiden broadcast http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mtv-makes-its-maiden-broadcast Old West 1953 : Shane released by Paramount http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/shane-released-by-paramount Presidential 1972 : Bush is suspended from flying with the Air National Guard http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bush-is-suspended-from-flying-with-the-air-national-guard Sports 1996 : Michael Johnson brings home second gold http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/michael-johnson-brings-home-second-gold Vietnam War 1964 : North Vietnamese accuse South Vietnam and the United States of attack http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/north-vietnamese-accuse-south-vietnam-and-the-united-states-of-attack World War I 1914 : First World War erupts in Europe http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-world-war-erupts-in-europe World War II 1943 : PT-109 sinks; Lieutenant Kennedy is instrumental in saving crew http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pt-109-sinks-lieutenant-kennedy-is-instrumental-in-saving-crew

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