It happened on a… August 4

2021

Global known COVID-19 caseload passes 200 million, with the death toll at 4.2 million according to Johns Hopkins.

2020

Huge explosions at the port of Beirut, Lebanon, kill more than 200 and leaves over 6,000 thousand people injured.

2012

South African Oscar Pistorius becomes first double-leg amputee to compete at the Olympics; 400m London; out in semi’s

2005

Prime Minister Paul Martin announces that Michaëlle Jean will be Canada’s 27th and first black Governor General.

1984

Prince’s “Purple Rain” album goes #1 & stays #1 for 24 weeks.

1983

New York Yankee outfielder Dave Winfield threw a baseball during warm-ups and accidentally killed a seagull. After the game, Toronto police arrested him for “causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.”

1978

Molson Brewery acquires Montreal Canadiens hockey team for $20 million.

1962

Nelson Mandela captured by South African police.

1957

Juan Fangio won his final auto race and captured the world auto driving championship. It was his the fifth consecutive year to win.

1956

Elvis Presley releases “Hound Dog”.

1950

Canada decides to send 4,000 soldiers to Korea to assist the UN Force.

1914

Canada officially enters World War I when Britain declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary. Canada will vote to spend $50 million to raise an army.