On this day: August 31
1962 Buin Zahra earthquake devastates northwestern Iran, killing thousands
On August 31, 1962, a powerful earthquake struck near Buin Zahra in northwestern Iran, collapsing villages and causing widespread casualties and damage across several provinces. Relief and reconstruction followed amid limited infrastructure and international assistance.
Princess Diana dies in a car crash in Paris
On 31 August 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, was fatally injured in a high-speed car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris. The collision, which also killed her companion Dodi Fayed and the driver, prompted worldwide shock and an extensive French and British investigation.
U.S. Announces Timetable for Withdrawal of Combat Forces from Iraq
On August 31, 2010, U.S. officials announced a timetable for withdrawing combat troops from Iraq, outlining a phased drawdown tied to training Iraqi security forces and political milestones in Baghdad.
Catastrophic 1962 Iran earthquake kills thousands in Buin Zahra region
On August 31, 1962, a powerful earthquake struck northwestern Iran near Buin Zahra, devastating villages and killing an estimated several thousand people; the disaster prompted national relief efforts amid limited international assistance.