Historical Events
- Russian long-distance swimmer Larisa Ilchenko wins inaugural women's open water marathon (10k) in 1:59:27.7 at the Beijing Olympics
- Spanair Flight 5022, from Madrid to Gran Canaria, skids off the runway and crashes at Barajas Airport. 146 people are killed in the crash, 8 more die afterwards. Only 18 people survive.
World Record
Usain Bolt of Jamaica wraps up the 100/200m double in style with a new 200m world record 19.30 at the Beijing Olympics
Famous Deaths
- Gene Upshaw, American NFL guard (Oakland Radiers) and NFLPA leader, dies at 63
Hua Guofeng (1921-2008)
Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (1976-81) and Premier of the People's Republic of China (1976-80), dies at 87
- Margaret Douglas, chief political adviser (BBC), dies at 73
- Stephanie Tubbs Jones, American politician (b. 1949)
Died in 2008 2008 Highlights
About August 20, 2008
Day of the Week: Wednesday
How Long Ago? 15 years, 8 months and 13 days
Leap Year: Yes
Generation: Generation Z
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Leo
Music Charts
#1 Song: Disturbia - Rihanna
#1 Song: I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry
