Russia unilaterally recognizes the independence of the former Georgian breakaway republics Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The Columbia Accident Investigation Board releases its final reports on Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

Beni-Ali massacre in Algeria; 60-100 people killed.

In Brno Václav Klaus and Vladimír Mečiar sign an agreement to divide Czechoslovakia.

President Ronald Reagan proclaims September 11, 1987 as 9-1-1 Emergency Number Day.

John Birges plants a bomb at Harvey's Resort Hotel in Stateline, Nevada.

Sigmund Jähn becomes first German cosmonaut, on board Soyuz 31.

Papal conclave, 1978 (August): Pope John Paul I is elected to the Papacy.

The Charter of the French Language is adopted by the National Assembly of Quebec

The United States Congress declares August 26th as an annual Women's Equality Day.

The then new feminist movement, led by Betty Friedan, leads a nation-wide Women's Strike for Equality.

The Namibian War of Independence starts with the battle at Omugulugwombashe.

The USSR announces the successful test of an ICBM

World War II: Charles de Gaulle enters Paris.

Holocaust in Chortkiav, western Ukraine: At 2.30 am the German Schutzpolizei starts driving Jews out of their houses, divides them into groups of 120, packs them in freight cars and deports 2000 to Belzec death camp. 500 of the sick and children are murdered on the spot.

Chad becomes the first French colony to join the Allies under the administration of Félix Éboué, France's first black colonial governor.

The first Major League Baseball game is telecast, a doubleheader between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, in Brooklyn, New York.

The 19th amendment to United States Constitution takes effect, giving women the right to vote.

World War I: the German colony of Togoland is invaded by French and British forces, who take it after 5 days.

World War I: the British Expeditionary Force fights a rear-guard action at the Battle of Le Cateau that briefly checks the German advance.

The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa begins its final, paroxysmal, stage.

American Civil War: the Second Battle of Bull Run begins.

First news dispatch by telegraph.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is approved by National Assembly at Palace of Versailles.

The first recorded ascent of Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia.

Captain James Cook sets sail from England on board {{HMS|Endeavour}}.

The first Lutheran denomination in North America, the Pennsylvania Ministerium, is founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Michelangelo is commissioned to carve the Pietà.

A conspiracy against Piero di Cosimo de' Medici in Florence, led by Luca Pitti, is discovered.

Hundred Years' War: the military supremacy of the English longbow over the French combination of crossbow and armoured knights is established at the Battle of Crécy.

Ala ud din Khilji captures Chittorgarh.

Ladislaus IV of Hungary and Rudolph I of Germany defeat Premysl Ottokar II of Bohemia in the Battle of Marchfield near Dürnkrut in (then) Moravia.

Battle of Manzikert: The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine Army at Manzikert.