August 28, 2026 – Historical Events & Birthdays
August 28 has shaped the history of the Southwest, the United States and the wider world—from Geronimo’s arrival at Skeleton Canyon to the March on Washington and important milestones in science, culture and sports.
🌍 Politics & World History
1886 – Geronimo’s Band Reaches Skeleton Canyon
Geronimo and his followers arrived near Skeleton Canyon in Arizona Territory on August 28 and established camp while awaiting General Nelson Miles. The final surrender agreement was completed several days later, on September 4.
1920 – Pancho Villa’s Army Is Disbanded
Pancho Villa and his followers surrendered their arms and ammunition on August 28, received three months’ pay and transportation home, and were mustered out under an agreement with the Mexican government.
1917 – Suffragists Arrested While Picketing the White House
Ten National Woman’s Party demonstrators were arrested while pressing President Woodrow Wilson to support a constitutional amendment for women’s voting rights. The arrests were part of the party’s 1917 “Silent Sentinels” campaign.
1862 – Second Battle of Manassas Begins
Confederate forces under Stonewall Jackson attacked a Union column near Brawner Farm in northern Virginia during the evening of August 28. The opening engagement led into the Confederate victory later known as Second Bull Run or Second Manassas.
1963 – March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
Approximately 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C., to demand civil-rights legislation, equal employment and an end to racial discrimination. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial.
🔬 Science & Technology
1789 – William Herschel Discovers Enceladus
Astronomer William Herschel discovered Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons, on August 28. The small icy moon later became a major target for planetary science because of evidence of a subsurface ocean and active water-rich plumes.
1859 – Carrington Solar Storm Begins
Astronomers observed the solar activity that developed into the extraordinary geomagnetic storm of August 28–September 2. The event disrupted telegraph systems and remains a prominent example of extreme space weather.
1993 – Galileo Flies Past Asteroid 243 Ida
NASA’s Galileo spacecraft made a close flyby of Ida on August 28 while traveling toward Jupiter. Images returned later revealed Dactyl, the first confirmed natural satellite of an asteroid.
2009 – Space Shuttle Discovery Launches on STS-128
Discovery lifted off from Kennedy Space Center at 11:59 p.m. EDT, carrying the Leonardo logistics module and supplies, equipment and a new crew member to the International Space Station.
🎭 Culture & the Arts
1845 – Scientific American Begins Publication
The first issue of Scientific American was published in New York on August 28. The magazine went on to become the nation’s longest continuously published magazine.
1965 – The Beatles Perform at Balboa Stadium
The Beatles resumed their 1965 North American tour with a major concert at San Diego’s Balboa Stadium, one of the group’s last American stadium performances.
1966 – The Beatles Play Dodger Stadium
The Beatles performed at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium during their final commercial concert tour, amid the intense audience frenzy associated with Beatlemania.
⚽ Sports
1921 – Babe Ruth Starts Nine-Game Extra-Base-Hit Streak
Babe Ruth began a nine-game streak in which he recorded at least one extra-base hit in every game, an early-season milestone in his historic Yankees career.
1952 – Robin Roberts Begins Historic Complete-Game Run
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Robin Roberts began a streak of 28 consecutive complete games, one of the most remarkable pitching endurance achievements of the modern era.
2004 – U.S. Women Win Third Straight Olympic Basketball Gold
The United States defeated Australia, 74–63, in Athens to win its third consecutive Olympic women’s basketball title. Lisa Leslie earned her third Olympic gold medal.
🎂 Notable Birthdays – August 28
1774 – Elizabeth Ann Seton
Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first native-born American canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. She founded the U.S. parochial-school system and the Sisters of Charity.
1908 – Roger Tory Peterson
American naturalist and author Roger Tory Peterson created field guides that transformed modern bird-watching and conservation education.
1917 – Jack Kirby
American comic-book artist Jack Kirby co-created characters and concepts central to Marvel Comics, including Captain America and the Fantastic Four, as well as the New Gods.
1925 – Donald O’Connor
Actor, singer and dancer Donald O’Connor was best known for his exuberant performance in Singin’ in the Rain.
1950 – Ron Guidry
Yankees pitching great Ron Guidry won two World Series titles and the 1978 American League Cy Young Award after going 25–3 with a 1.74 ERA.
1952 – Rita Dove
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Rita Dove served as U.S. Poet Laureate from 1993 to 1995.
1962 – David Fincher
Filmmaker David Fincher is acclaimed for directing Se7en, Fight Club, Zodiac, The Social Network and Mank.
1965 – Shania Twain
Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain’s crossover success made her one of the best-selling female artists in popular music.
Summary
August 28 connects important chapters of Arizona and Southwest history with landmark moments in civil rights, science, popular culture and athletics. It is also the birthday of influential figures ranging from Elizabeth Ann Seton and Roger Tory Peterson to Jack Kirby, Rita Dove and Shania Twain.
