August 31

1864:

American Civil War: Union forces led by General William T. Sherman launch an assault on Atlanta, Georgia, defended by troops under Confederate General John Bell Hood.

1907:

Great Britain, Russia and France form the Triple Entente alliance.

1916:

Canadian casualties to date: 27,212 wounded, 8,644 dead, 2,005 missing

1939:

Nazi Germany mounts a staged attack on Gleiwitz radio station, giving them an pretext to attack Poland the following day, starting World War II.

1939:

The Royal Canadian Dental Corps is authorized

1992:

Canada sends 750 troops to Somalia