August 4 in History
August 4 is the birthday of Lil Skies (1998) and the anniversary of the death of Charles Cyphers (2024). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for August 4, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Richard de Clare, 6th Earl of Gloucester, English soldier was born in 1222, while Lady Zhen, Chinese empress died in 221.
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Famous people born on August 4
Famous people who died on August 4
2014
James Brady (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
White House Press Secretary under Ronald Reagan (1940–2014)
2012
Brian Crozier (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
British journalist and intelligence expert (1918–2012)
2007
Raul Hilberg (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Austrian-born American Holocaust researcher (1926–2007)
What happened on August 4
- 2020
Beirut Port explosion: At least 220 people are killed and over 5,000 are wounded when 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate explodes in Beirut, Lebanon.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2019
Nine people are killed and 26 injured in a shooting in Dayton, Ohio. This comes only 13 hours after another mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, where 23 people were killed.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2018
Syrian civil war: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expel the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from the Iraq–Syria border, concluding the second phase of the Deir ez-Zor campaign.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2018
Crisis in Venezuela: Seven people are injured when two drones detonate explosives on Avenida Bolívar, Caracas while president Nicolás Maduro is giving a speech to the Venezuelan National Guard.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2007
NASA's Phoenix Mars lander is launched.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2006
A massacre is carried out by Sri Lankan government forces, killing 17 employees of the French INGO Action Against Hunger (known internationally as Action Contre la Faim, or ACF).
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1995
Operation Storm, the last major battle of the Croatian War of Independence begins.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1987
The Federal Communications Commission rescinds the Fairness Doctrine which had required radio and television stations to give equal time to opposing views.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1984
The Republic of Upper Volta changes its name to Burkina Faso.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1984
The Ariane 3 rocket is launched for the first time, carrying the Eutelsat I F-2 and Télécom 1A satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1983
Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo, president of the military government of Upper Volta, is ousted from power in a coup d'état led by Captain Thomas Sankara.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1977
U.S. President Jimmy Carter signs legislation creating the United States Department of Energy.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1975
The Japanese Red Army takes more than 50 hostages at the AIA Building housing several embassies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The hostages include the U.S. consul and the Swedish Chargé d'affaires. The gunmen win the release of five imprisoned comrades and fly with them to Libya.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1974
A bomb explodes in the Italicus Express train at San Benedetto Val di Sambro, Italy, killing 12 people and wounding 22.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1972
Ugandan President Idi Amin announces that Uganda is no longer responsible for the care of British subjects of Asian origin, beginning the expulsions of Ugandan Asians.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on August 4
- 1222 — Richard de Clare, 6th Earl of Gloucester, English soldier (died 1262)
- 1281 — Külüg Khan, Emperor Wuzong of Yuan (died 1311)
- 1290 — Leopold I, Duke of Austria (died 1326)
Died on August 4
- 221 — Lady Zhen, Chinese empress (born 183)
- 966 — Berengar II of Italy (born 900)
- 1060 — Henry I of France (born 1008)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for August 4
Quick answers
Who was born on August 4? Lil Skies (1998), Bruna Marquezine (1995), Bobby Shmurda (1994).
Who died on August 4? Charles Cyphers (2024), Tsung-Dao Lee (2024), Duane Thomas (2024).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in August? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the August 4 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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