Last Updated: August 28, 2026
Today in History – August 28 marks a significant date in world and Indian history. From pivotal civil rights speeches and economic milestones to scientific contributions and political developments, this day holds great historical importance.
This article covers:
- Major historical events on August 28
- Famous personalities born on August 28
- National and international observances
- Important current affairs and competitive exam facts
Table of Contents
🌟 Top Highlights of August 28
- King Pamheiba Coronation (1709): Pamheiba (Garib Nawaz) was crowned the King of Manipur.
- “I Have a Dream” Speech (1963): Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C.
- Basheerbagh Firing Incident (2000): A landmark political event in Hyderabad where police opened fire on protesters.
- PM Jan Dhan Yojana Launch (2014): Launch of India’s flagship financial inclusion program, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).
- 45th Chief Justice of India Sworn In (2017): Justice Dipak Misra was sworn in as the 45th Chief Justice of In
🗓️ Important Historical Events on August 28
1709 – Coronation of King Pamheiba of Manipur
Pamheiba, also known as Garib Nawaz, was crowned the King of Manipur on August 28, 1709. His reign turned Manipur into a formidable regional military power and established Hinduism as the official state religion, marking a major turning point in Manipuri culture and history.
1833 – British Empire Passes the Slavery Abolition Act
The British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 on August 28, which took effect on August 1, 1834. This historic legislation abolished slavery throughout most of the British Empire, freeing hundreds of thousands of enslaved people and forming a cornerstone for global human rights.
1963 – Martin Luther King Jr. Delivers “I Have a Dream” Speech
During the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial. The speech called for an end to racism and civil rights equality, becoming one of the most celebrated speeches in human history.
2000 – Basheerbagh Power Agitation Firing Incident in Hyderabad
A massive ‘Chalo Assembly’ rally was organized by opposition parties in Hyderabad protesting against electricity tariff hikes. Police opened fire on non-violent protesters at Basheerbagh, resulting in the deaths of Ramakrishna, Balaswamy, and Vishnuvardhan Reddy. This event triggered major political changes in Andhra Pradesh.
2014 – Official Launch of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
The Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) to provide universal access to banking facilities. Designed as a comprehensive financial inclusion program, it holds the Guinness World Record for opening the highest number of bank accounts in a single week globally.
2017 – Justice Dipak Misra Sworn in as 45th Chief Justice of India
Justice Dipak Misra took charge as the 45th Chief Justice of India (CJI). His tenure witnessed landmark judgments on crucial legal matters, including the decriminalization of Section 377, the Sabarimala Temple entry case, and the validity of Aadhaar.
Other Major Events
- 1845: The first issue of Scientific American, the popular science magazine, was published.
- 1916: Italy declared war on Germany during World War I.
- 1996: The legal divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana was finalized in Great Britain.
🎂 Famous Birthdays on August 28
| Year | Personality | Domain / Notable Achievement |
| 1749 | Johann Wolfgang von Goethe | Legendary German polymath, poet, playwright, and author of Faust. |
| 1928 | Ustad Vilayat Khan | Iconic Indian classical sitar maestro of the Imdadkhani gharana. |
| 1928 | R. Balasaraswathi Devi | Veteran South Indian actress and first female playback singer of Telugu CInema. |
| 1934 | A.P. Komala | Renowned South Indian playback singer and long-time artist with All India Radio. |
| 1969 | Sheryl Sandberg | American technology executive, author, and former COO of Meta (Facebook). |
📌 Other Notable Birthdays: 1961 – Jennifer Coolidge, American actress, Cher Lloyd (1993) – British singer and songwriter.
🕯️ Notable Death Anniversaries on August 28
- 1958 – Bhamidipati Kameswara Rao: Distinguished Telugu dramatist, writer, and actor noted for his humorous plays and adaptations, honoured with the title Hasya Brahma.
- 2006 – D.V. Narasaraju: Acclaimed Telugu playwright, screenwriter, actor, and director known for classic movies such as Gundamma Katha and Yamagola.
- 2017 – Narendra Kumar: Renowned Indian theoretical physicist recognized for his research in condensed matter physics; recipient of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize and Padma Shri.
📢 National & International Days Observed on August 28
- National Bow Tie Day (USA): Celebrates the history, style, and fashion statement of the bow tie accessory.
- National Cherry Turnover Day (USA): A food observance observed annually celebrating the traditional turnover pastry.
💡Did You Know?
- Spontaneous Civil Rights Speech: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous line “I have a dream” was improvised on the spot after gospel singer Mahalia Jackson shouted to him from the crowd, “Tell ’em about the dream, Martin!”
- Guinness World Record: PMJDY achieved a Guinness World Record for opening 18 million (1,80,96,130 exactly) bank accounts in its very first week of launch in August 2014 (from August 23 to August 29).
- Goethe’s Scientific Legacy: Besides being Germany’s greatest literary figure, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a dedicated scientist who authored important works on plant morphology and color theory (Theory of Colours).
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When did Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his famous “I Have a Dream” speech?
Ans: On August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Q2. When was the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) officially launched in India?
Ans: August 28, 2014.
Q3. Who was crowned the King of Manipur on August 28, 1709?
Ans: Ningthou Pamheiba (Garib Nawaz).
Q4. Who took oath as the 45th Chief Justice of India on August 28, 2017?
Ans: Justice Dipak Misra.
Q5. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born on August 28 of which year?
Q6. Which musical instrument was Ustad Vilayat Khan famous for playing?
Ans: Sitar.
Q7. What was the historical significance of the British Slavery Abolition Act passed in August 1833?
Ans: It outlawed slavery across almost all British territories, emancipating hundreds of thousands of enslaved individuals.
Q8. Which Telugu writer and screenwriter behind Gundamma Katha passed away on August 28, 2006?
Ans: D.V. Narasaraju.