August 31

What happened on August 31 in history

3 events fall on August 31, from 1888 to 1997. Read them below, then try to place a historical scene yourself — guess where in the world it happened and in what year.

Guess where and when

Explore a 360° historical scene and place it on the map and the timeline. Free, no sign-up.

Play today's challenge

Events on August 31

  1. 1888

    The first Whitechapel murder

    Mary Ann Nichols is killed in London, the first of the Ripper murders.

    Play the 19th century round

  2. 1957

    Malaya becomes independent

    The Union Jack is lowered in Kuala Lumpur at midnight.

    Play the 20th century round

  3. 1997

    Diana, Princess of Wales dies

    She is killed in a car crash in a Paris underpass.

    Play the 20th century round