30th August 1813: Red Stick Creek warriors attack Fort Mims in the Mississippi Territory

Approximately 700 Red Stick warriors led by William Weatherford attacked the fort. Around 250 people were killed, while at least 100 others were taken captive.

24th August 1814: The Burning of Washington sees British forces during the War of 1812 capture and set fire to many principal public buildings

Although it had limited strategic value in military terms, the Burning of Washington demonstrated the vulnerability of the young American republic during the War of 1812 and temporarily damaged public confidence in the government’s ability to defend the capital.

12th August 1977: Space Shuttle Enterprise completes the first free flight of the Space Shuttle programme

After separation from the carrier aircraft the pilots completed a controlled descent and precise landing at Edwards Air Force Base, confirming earlier aerodynamic predictions and providing engineers with valuable information for the construction and operation of the orbital shuttle fleet.

9th August 1944: Smokey Bear, the forest fire prevention mascot, first appears on a poster in the United States

Produced in cooperation with the Ad Council, the first Smokey Bear poster, released on 9 August 1944, showed the bear pouring a bucket of water onto a campfire beneath the message, “Smokey says – Care will prevent 9 out of 10 forest fires.” The illustration was created by artist Albert Staehle, whose friendly but authoritative depiction proved immediately successful.