^B{^#!16!2 August^N! Feast day of St Theodota and her Three Sons, St Eusebius of Vercelli, St Plegmund, St Stephen I, pope, St Syagrius of Autun, and St Sidwell or Sativola.
^B{1718^B} Britain, France, Austria, and Holland concluded the Quadruple Alliance against Spain, in an attempt to prevent Spain from annexing Sardinia and Sicily. ^B{1858^B} The rule of the East India Company, which was established throughout India, was transferred to the British government. ^B{1875^B} Britain's first roller skating rink was opened to the public, in Belgravia, London. ^B{1894^B} Death duties, now known as inheritance tax, were introduced in Britain. ^B{1945^B} The Potsdam Conference, establishing the initial postwar treatment of Germany and demanding unconditional Japanese surrender, ended. ^B{1980^B} Right-wing terrorists exploded a bomb in the crowded Bologna Railroad Station, northern Italy, killing 84 people. ^B{1990^B} Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait, precipitating an international crisis.
^B{^I{^#!14!Born ^N}John Tyndall, Irish physicist, ^B{1820^B}; Ethel M Dell, British novelist, ^B{1881^B}; Arthur Bliss, English composer, ^B{1891^B}; Myrna Loy, US film actress, ^B{1905^B}; James Baldwin, US writer, ^B{1924^B}; Peter O'Toole, Irish actor, ^B{1932^B}; Sammy McIlroy, Irish footballer, ^B{1954^B}.^B}
^B{^I{^#!14!Died ^N}Thomas Gainsborough, English painter, ^B{1788^B}; Jacques ╔tienne Montgolfier, French balloonist, ^B{1799^B}; Enrico Caruso, Italian tenor, ^B{1921^B}; ^B{1923^B}; Louis BlΘriot, French aviator, ^B{1936^B}; Fritz Lang, Austrian film director, ^B{1976^B}; Carlos Chavez, Mexican composer, ^B{1978^B}.
