◆ On this day

August 4

4 sourced moments from August 4 in history: The legend dates Dom Pérignon's 'invention' of champagne (1693); Britain declared war on Germany, entering World War I (1914); Anne Frank's 1944 arrest: who betrayed her is still unknown, plus 1 more.

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4 things happened on August 4

newest first ↓

1958 Culture & Arts · Music

Billboard published its first Hot 100 chart

On a single August day in 1958, America's hit songs got one unified scoreboard — and pop has been ranked by it ever since.

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1944 History · Modern

Anne Frank's 1944 arrest: who betrayed her is still unknown

Police raided the Secret Annex on 4 August 1944. More than 80 years on, no one has proved who, if anyone, tipped them off.

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1914 History · War & Conflict

Britain declared war on Germany, entering World War I

When Germany ignored an ultimatum to quit neutral Belgium, Britain's deadline expired at 11pm and the empire went to war.

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1693 Food & Drink · Beverages

The legend dates Dom Pérignon's 'invention' of champagne

A Benedictine monk is famously credited with inventing champagne on this day — a charming story that history cannot actually confirm.

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