What Happened in August 1966

Historical Events

  • Aug 1 Charles Whitman wounds 31 and kills 16 at University of Texas
  • Aug 1 Yakubu Gowon becomes Nigerian Head of State after a military coup d'état
  • Aug 2 Radio Vila (New Hebrides) begins transmitting
  • Aug 3 South African government bans Beatle records
  • Aug 4 8th British Empire Games & Commonwealth Games open in Kingston, Jamaica; first Games held outside 'White Dominions'
  • Aug 5 33rd NFL Chicago College All-Star Game: Green Bay 38, All-Stars 0; 72,000 at Soldier Field

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Aug 5 Martin Luther King Jr. stoned during Chicago march

Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King Jr.
Civil Rights Activist
Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Aug 5 USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakh/Semipalitinsk USSR
  • Aug 5 The Beatles release their "Revolver" album in the UK
  • Aug 5 Beatles release single "Yellow Submarine" with "Eleanor Rigby" in UK
  • Aug 5 West Indies cricket captain Gary Sobers scores 174 including a century between lunch & tea to set up a 4th Test win v England at Headingley

Sport defeatBoxing Title Fight

Aug 6 Muhammad Ali knocks out English boxer Brian London in round 3 at Earl's Court in London to retain his undisputed world heavyweight title

Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali
Heavyweight Boxing Champion
Muhammad Ali
  • Aug 6 Salazarbrug over Tag opens (longest suspension bridge in Europe)
  • Aug 6 US citizens demonstrate against war in Vietnam
  • Aug 7 Race riot in Lansing Michigan
  • Aug 8 South African Broadcasting bans Beatles (Lennon's anti-Jesus remark)

  • Aug 9 The Beatles release their "Yellow Submarine" single and its album "Revolver" in the US
  • Aug 10 NASA launches Lunar Orbiter 1 to the Moon to photograph the lunar surface
  • Aug 10 1st lunar orbiter launched by US
  • Aug 10 Daylight meteor seen from Utah to Canada. Only known case of a meteor entering Earth's atmosphere & leaving it again
  • Aug 11 Last Beatle concert tour of US begins
  • Aug 14 1st US lunar orbiter begins orbiting Moon
  • Aug 14 Cleveland Stadium's 1st rock concert is held, featuring Beatles
  • Aug 15 Puerto Rican champion José Torres beats Eddie Cotton on points in Las Vegas to retain the WBC/WBA light-heavyweight boxing title
  • Aug 15 Radio Free Asia (South Korea) begins radio transmission
  • Aug 17 NASA satellite Pioneer 7 launched into solar orbit

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Aug 17 Willie Mays takes 2nd place on all-time HR list

MLB Legend Willie Mays
MLB Legend
Willie Mays
  • Aug 19 Earthquake strikes Varko Turkey: 2,400 killed
  • Aug 20 Beatles pelted with rotten fruit during Memphis concert
  • Aug 21 LPGA Western Open Golf, Rainbow Springs CC; Mickey Wright wins her 13th and final major title by 1 from Margie Masters & Jo Ann Prentice
  • Aug 22 The Beatles arrive in New York
  • Aug 23 Lunar Orbiter 1 takes 1st photograph of Earth from Moon
  • Aug 24 USSR launches Luna 11 for orbit around Moon
  • Aug 26 Baltimore Orioles Roznovsky & B Powell are 4th to hit consecutive pinch HRs
  • Aug 26 KLOC (now KCSO) channel 42 in Charlotte, North Carolina (PBS) begins broadcasting
  • Aug 27 Francis Chichester begins 1st solo sail around world
  • Aug 27 Oakland Pitcher Paul Lindblad begins a 385 cons errorless streak
  • Aug 27 Race riot in Waukegan, Illinois
  • Aug 28 27th Venice Film Festival: "The Battle of Algiers" directed by Gillo Pontecorvo wins Golden Lion
  • Aug 29 The Beatles' last public concert (Candlestick Park, San Francisco)
  • Aug 29 Dutch Internal minister Smallenbroek resigns after driving drunk
  • Aug 31 Referee Leo Horn whistles his last soccer match (Ajax-Bulgaria)
  • Aug 31 "The Battle of Algiers", directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, starring Jean Martin, Saadi Yacef, premieres at the Vienna International Film Festival

Famous Birthdays

  • Aug 1 Darryl Hall, CFL linebacker (Calgary Stampeders), born in Oscoda, Michigan
  • Aug 1 Horacio de la Peña, Argentinian tennis star and coach, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Aug 1 Pat Carter, American NFL tight end (Arizona Cardinals), born in Sarasota, Florida
  • Aug 1 James St. James, American author and nightlife personality, born in Saginaw, Michigan
  • Aug 2 Joseph Wanag, Wilson Ct, US judoka (Olympic-92)
  • Aug 2 Tim Wakefield [Timothy Stephen], American baseball pitcher (Boston Red Sox-1995 AL Comeback Player of the Year), born in Melbourne, Florida
  • Aug 3 Eric Esch, American boxer, born in Atlanta, Georgia
  • Aug 4 Kensuke Sasaki, wrestler (WCW/NJPW/Calgary, Power Warrior)
  • Aug 5 Jonathan Silverman, actor (Brighton Beach Memoirs, Single Guy), born in Los Angeles, California
  • Aug 6 William Fred Mayfair, PGA golfer (1993 Greater Milw Open), born in Phoenix, Arizona
  • Aug 7 Kristin Hersch, US singer/songwriter (Throwing Muses)
  • Aug 7 Tony Stargell, NFL cornerback (Tampa Bay Bucs, Chicago Bears)
  • Aug 7 Jimmy Wales, American internet entrepreneur and cofounder of Wikipedia, born in Huntsville, Alabama
  • Aug 8 Chris Eubank, English boxer
  • Aug 8 John Hudek, American baseball player
  • Aug 9 Pat Petersen, American actor (Michael-Knots Landing), born in Los Angeles, California
  • Aug 9 Vinny Del Negro, NBA guard (San Antonio Spurs)
  • Aug 10 Gerald Williams, outfielder (NY Yankees), born in New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Aug 10 Hansi Kürsch, German singer
  • Aug 11 Antonio Goss, NFL linebacker (SF 49ers)
  • Aug 11 Nigel Martyn, English footballer
  • Aug 12 Bruce Covernton, CFL defensive tackle (Calgary Stampeders)
  • Aug 12 Dean Hartgraves, Bakersfield CA, pitcher (Houston Astros)
  • Aug 12 Gordy Morgan, 163 lbs greco-roman wrestler (Olympics 1996), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Aug 12 Greg Manusky, NFL linebacker (KC Chiefs)
  • Aug 12 Les Ferdinand, English footballer
  • Aug 13 Glenn Donald Hamilton, New Zealand beach volleyball player (Olympics 1996), born in Hamilton, New Zealand
  • Aug 13 Shayne Corson, NHL forward (Team Canada Olympics 1998, Montreal)
  • Aug 14 David Hallyday, French singer-songwriter and actor (He's My Girl), born in Boulougne, France

Person of interestHalle Berry

Aug 14 Halle Berry, American actress (X-Men: The Last Stand, Monsters Ball), born in Cleveland, Ohio

Actress Halle Berry
Actress
Halle Berry
  • Aug 14 Karl Petter Løken, Norwegian footballer
  • Aug 15 Fred Strickland, linebacker (Dallas Cowboys)
  • Aug 15 Leo Goeas, guard (Baltimore Ravens)
  • Aug 15 Shirley Kwan, Hong Kong singer
  • Aug 16 Ed Olczyk, NHL center (Winnipeg Jets), born in Chicago, Illinois
  • Aug 16 Rosey Edeh, Canadian 400m hurdler (Olympics-4-92, 96), born in London, England
  • Aug 16 Terry Shumpert, infielder (Chicago Cubs), born in Paducah, Kentucky
  • Aug 17 Cedric Figaro, American WLAF linebacker (Amsterdam Admirals), born in Lafayette, Louisiana
  • Aug 17 Zefross Moss, NFL tackle (Detroit Lions, NE Patriots)
  • Aug 17 Maysa Leak, American Jazz Singer
  • Aug 17 Rodney Mullen, American skateboarder
  • Aug 17 Don Sweeney, Canadian ice hockey player
  • Aug 18 Cees Lock of hair, soccer player (NEC)
  • Aug 18 Steve Avery, NFL fullback (Pittsburgh Steelers)
  • Aug 18 Gustavo Charif, Argentine artist
  • Aug 18 Kang Soo-yeon, South Korean actress
  • Aug 19 Lilian Garcia, wrestling announcer
  • Aug 19 Lee Ann Womack, American musician
  • Aug 20 Courtney Gibbs, American actress (Baywatch) and Miss USA 1988, born in Dallas, Texas
  • Aug 20 Greg Jackson, NFL strong safety (Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers)
  • Aug 20 Steven Finn, Laval, NHL defenseman (LA Kings)
  • Aug 20 "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, American heavy metal guitarist (Pantera), born in Arlington, Texas (d. 2004)
  • Aug 20 Colin Cunningham, American actor (Centigrade, Falling Skies), born in Los Angeles, California
  • Aug 21 John Wetteland, American pitcher (NY Yanks, Rangers, Expos), born in San Mateo, California
  • Aug 22 Mark Michaels, heavy metal guitarist (Teach Yourself Rhythm Guitar)
  • Aug 22 Rob Witschge, Dutch soccer star (Ajax/Feyenoord), born in Amsterdam
  • Aug 22 GZA [Gary Grice], American rapper (Wu-Tang Clan), born in Brooklyn, New York
  • Aug 23 Laura Richmond, American playmate (Sep, 1988), born in Fort Dix, New Jersey
  • Aug 23 Rhonda Cator, Australian badminton player (Olympics 1996)
  • Aug 23 Rik Smits, NBA center (Indiana Pacers), born in Eindhoven, Netherlands
  • Aug 24 Jon Sieben, Australian swimmer (Olympic gold 200m butterfly 1984), born in Brisbane, Queensland
  • Aug 25 Albert Belle, outfielder (Indians, White Sox), born in Shreveport, Louisiana
  • Aug 25 Derek Sherinian, American keyboardist
  • Aug 25 Robert Maschio, American Actor ("The Todd" in Scrubs)
  • Aug 25 Michael Cohen, American lawyer to Donald Trump, born in Long Island, New York
  • Aug 26 Jacques Brinkman, Dutch field hockey player
  • Aug 26 Shirley Manson, Scottish singer
  • Aug 27 Deena Wigger, US shooter (Olympic-92), born in Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • Aug 27 Juhan Parts, Prime Minister of Estonia
  • Aug 28 Jerry Fehily, Irish rocker (Hothouse Flowers-Don't Go)
  • Aug 28 Teresa Zarzeczny Bell, American rower (Olympic silver 1996), born in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
  • Aug 28 Priya Dutt, Indian social worker and politician, born in Mumbai, India
  • Aug 29 Dan Truman, St George Utah, singer (Diamond Rio-Meet in the Middle)
  • Aug 30 John Terry, CFL tackle (Saskatchewan Roughriders)
  • Aug 30 Michael Michele, Evansville In, actress (Nikki-Central Park West)
  • Aug 31 Jeff Frye, infielder (Boston Red Sox), born in Oakland, California
  • Aug 31 Jan Einar Thorsen, Norwegian Alpine skier

Famous Weddings


HeartWedding of Interest

Aug 7 Latin music king Xavier Cugat (60) weds singer Charo (20) at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas

Actress Charo
Actress
Charo

HeartWedding of Interest

Aug 27 American sportscaster Al Michaels (21) weds Linda Stamaton

Television Sportscaster Al Michaels
Television Sportscaster
Al Michaels

Famous Deaths

  • Aug 1 Earl Rudolph "Bud" Powell, American jazz pianist and composer, dies at 41
  • Aug 1 Charles Whitman, former marine, kills 16 at U of Texas, shot by cops
  • Aug 3 Lenny Bruce [Leonard Schneider], American comedian, dies of a morphine overdose at 39
  • Aug 5 Austin Diamond, Australian cricketer (Australian capt to America 1913), dies at 92
  • Aug 6 Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger, sci-fi author (Space Lords), dies at 53
  • Aug 6 Cordwainer Smith, American writer (b. 1913)
  • Aug 8 Pierre Charles, Belgian heavyweight boxer, dies at 63
  • Aug 9 Gösta Nystroem, Swedish composer, dies at 75
  • Aug 10 Felix Andries Vening Meinesz, Dutch geophysicist (black force), dies at 79
  • Aug 10 Jacobus C Bloem, poet (Cinders), dies
  • Aug 14 S J "Tip" Snooke, South African cricket all-rounder (26 Tests 1905-23), dies
  • Aug 15 Gerhard/Gerhart Pohl, German writer (Battle of Kolbenau), dies at 64
  • Aug 15 Jan Kiepura, Polish vocalist and actor (Her Wonderful Lie, Give Us this Night), dies of heart attack at 64
  • Aug 15 Seena Owen, actress/writer (Queen Kelly), dies at 71
  • Aug 15 Gerhard Pohl, German writer (Crazy Ferdinand), dies at 64
  • Aug 16 Jack Mather, actor (Cisco Kid), dies of heart attack at 58
  • Aug 17 Archibald Palm, cricketer (Test South Africa v England 1927-28), dies
  • Aug 17 Michael Garrison, producer (Crowded Sky), dies after a fall at 43
  • Aug 18 Isaac Keesing, Dutch publisher and founder (System Keesing), dies at 80
  • Aug 18 Watze Cuperus, Frisian author (Struggle & Blessing), dies at 75
  • Aug 22 Apolinary Szeluto, Polish pianist and composer, dies at 82
  • Aug 23 Francis X. Bushman, American silent film actor (Sabrina, Ben-Hur), dies at 83
  • Aug 26 Art Baker, TV host (You Asked For It), dies at 67
  • Aug 29 Sayyid Qutb, Egyptian theoretician (b. 1906)
  • Aug 31 Kasimir Edschmid, German writer, dies at 75