August 11, 1965 – Six days of riots begin in the Watts area of Los Angeles triggered by a traffic stop and subsequent fight between an African American motorist and a white member of the California Highway Patrol. The rioting results in 34 deaths, more than 3,000 people arrested, and damage to property listed at $40 million.
August 14, 1935 – President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act guaranteeing a pension supplement to workers retiring at age 65.
August 14, 1945 – V-J Day; President Harry Truman announces the Japanese surrender to the Allies to end World War II.
August 15, 1969 – The Woodstock festival began in a field near Yasgur’s Farm at Bethel, New York. The three-day concert featured 24 rock bands and drew a crowd of more than 300,000 young people. The event came to symbolize the counter-culture movement of the 1960’s.