Discover the Historical Events and Famous People Born on August 28

August 28 is a special day in history. Many important things happened on this day, and some famous people were born too. In this article, we’ll learn about five big events that took place on August 28. We’ll also meet five famous people who share this birthday. Let’s explore the history and people that make August 28 so interesting!

Historical Events on August 28

1. Hudson Explores Delaware Bay

On August 28, 1609, an English explorer named Henry Hudson sailed into Delaware Bay. He was the first European to do this. Hudson named it South Bay.

Henry Hudson was a brave sailor who went on many trips to find new sea routes. He worked for both English and Dutch companies. His goal was to find a way to sail to Asia by going north.

When Hudson found Delaware Bay, it was a big deal. It helped other explorers and settlers learn more about North America. This discovery led to more people coming to the area in later years.

2. The Great Race – Horse vs. “Tom Thumb” Locomotive

On August 28, 1830, a fun and important race happened. It was between a horse-drawn car and a train engine called “Tom Thumb”. This race took place from Baltimore to Ellicott Mills.

At this time, America was just starting to build railways. People weren’t sure if trains would be better than horses for moving people and things. The “Tom Thumb” was the first train engine built in America.

During the race, the “Tom Thumb” had some problems. Because of this, the horse won! But even though the train lost, it showed people that trains could be very useful. This race helped people see that railways could change how we travel and move goods.

3. First Photograph of a Tornado

On August 28, 1884, someone took the first known picture of a tornado. This happened near Howard, South Dakota.

This photo was very important for weather science. Before this, people could only describe tornadoes with words or drawings. Having a real photo helped scientists study these dangerous storms better.

The picture showed what a tornado really looks like. It helped people understand how big and powerful tornadoes can be. This led to better ways to spot tornadoes and warn people about them.

4. Montgomery Takes Command of the 3rd Infantry Division

On August 28, 1939, General Bernard Montgomery became the leader of the 3rd Infantry Division. People called him “Monty” for short.

Bernard Montgomery was a famous British soldier. He was known for being smart and brave in battle. The 3rd Infantry Division was called the “Iron Division” because it was so strong.

This happened just before World War II started. Montgomery’s leadership was very important in the war. He helped plan many big battles and led soldiers to win against Nazi Germany.

5. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. This happened during a big event called the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

The speech was part of the Civil Rights Movement. This was when Black Americans and others fought for equal rights. Lots of people came to Washington, D.C. to support this cause.

In his speech, Dr. King talked about his hope for a fair and equal America. He said he dreamed of a country where people wouldn’t be judged by their skin color. This speech is still famous today and helped change many people’s minds about racism.

Famous Birthdays on August 28

1. George Villiers (1592-1628)

George Villiers was born on August 28, 1592, in Brooksby, England. He became a very important person in the English royal court.

Here’s a quick look at his life:

George Villiers grew up to be very handsome and charming. He caught the attention of King James I, who liked him a lot. The king gave him many important jobs and titles.

Villiers became very powerful. He helped make decisions about running the country. But not everyone liked him. Some people thought he had too much power just because the king liked him.

Even though he died young, George Villiers left a big mark on English history. His story shows how one person’s friendship with a king could change a whole country.

2. Peter Fraser (1884-1950)

Peter Fraser was born on August 28, 1884, in Hill of Fearn, Scotland. He later moved to New Zealand and became its Prime Minister.

Here’s a summary of Peter Fraser’s life:

Peter Fraser started his life in Scotland but moved to New Zealand when he was young. He worked many jobs and got interested in politics.

Fraser joined the Labour Party and worked his way up. He became Prime Minister during World War II. He helped make sure New Zealand did its part in the war.

As Prime Minister, Fraser did many good things for New Zealand. He helped start the United Nations and made New Zealand’s health care system better. People remember him as a leader who cared about making life better for everyone.

3. Jack Kirby (1917-1994)

Jack Kirby was born on August 28, 1917, in New York City. He grew up to be one of the most famous comic book artists ever.

Here’s a quick look at Jack Kirby’s life:

Jack Kirby loved drawing from a young age. He started working in comic books when he was a teenager. He worked with another famous comic creator named Joe Simon.

Kirby helped create many superhero characters we still love today. He worked for both Marvel and DC Comics, the two biggest comic book companies. Some of his famous characters are the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and the Hulk.

People call Jack Kirby the “King of Comics” because he was so good at what he did. His way of drawing action and his creative ideas changed how comic books look and feel. Even today, many artists try to draw like Jack Kirby.

4. Paul Martin (born 1938)

Paul Martin was born on August 28, 1938, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He grew up to be the Prime Minister of Canada.

Here’s a summary of Paul Martin’s life:

Paul Martin came from a family interested in politics. His father was also an important politician. Martin studied law and then went into business. He did very well and became rich.

Later, Martin went into politics. He joined the Liberal Party and became the Minister of Finance. In this job, he helped fix Canada’s money problems.

Martin became Prime Minister in 2003. As leader, he worked on many issues. He tried to improve healthcare and relations with Indigenous peoples. After leaving office, he kept working to help others, especially in Africa and with Indigenous communities in Canada.

5. Scott Hamilton (born 1958)

Scott Hamilton was born on August 28, 1958, in Bowling Green, Ohio. He became one of the most famous figure skaters in the world.

Here’s a quick look at Scott Hamilton’s life:

Scott Hamilton had a rough start in life. He was sick as a child, but ice skating helped him get better. He worked very hard and became a great skater.

Hamilton won many competitions. His biggest win was the gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. People loved watching him skate because he did fun tricks like backflips.

After he stopped competing, Hamilton kept skating in shows. He also became a TV commentator for skating events. He has faced health challenges but keeps a positive attitude. Many people look up to Scott Hamilton for his skating skills and his bravery in facing tough times.

Takeaways

August 28 is a day full of important events and special people. We learned about explorers, inventors, leaders, artists, and athletes. Each of these events and people left a mark on history in their own way.

From Henry Hudson’s discovery to Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech, August 28 has seen moments that changed the world. The people born on this day, like Jack Kirby and Scott Hamilton, have inspired many with their talents.

This day shows us how one day can hold so much history. It reminds us that every day has the potential for great things to happen and for new leaders to be born.

References:

1. “Henry Hudson – Exploration.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/topics/exploration/henry-hudson.
2. Wolmar, Christian. “The Great Railroad Revolution: The History of Trains in America.” PublicAffairs, 2012.
3. “First Photograph of a Tornado.” National Weather Service, NOAA, www.weather.gov/news/1884-tornado-photo.
4. Hamilton, Nigel. “Monty: The Making of a General.” McGraw-Hill, 1981.
5. Carson, Clayborne, et al. “The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.” Grand Central Publishing, 1998.
6. Lockyer, Roger. “Buckingham: The Life and Political Career of George Villiers, First Duke of Buckingham 1592-1628.” Routledge, 1981.
7. Beaglehole, Tim. “Peter Fraser: Master Politician.” Penguin, 2011.
8. Evanier, Mark. “Kirby: King of Comics.” Abrams, 2008.
9. Martin, Paul. “Hell or High Water: My Life in and out of Politics.” McClelland & Stewart, 2008.
10. Hamilton, Scott. “Landing It: My Life On and Off the Ice.” Kensington, 1999.