1701day.year
Great Peace of Montreal between New France and First Nations is signed.
New France signs the Great Peace of Montreal, securing decades of peace with First Nations.
On August 4, 1701, representatives of New France and thirty-nine indigenous nations gather to conclude the Great Peace of Montreal. This treaty establishes peace and mutual protection among the French colonists and First Nations, including the Huron, Algonquin, and Abenaki. Negotiations led by Governor Philippe de Rigaud de Vaudreuil and indigenous leaders foster unprecedented diplomatic relations. The pact curbs frontier violence and secures safe trade routes for the colony. It remains one of the most significant agreements in early North American history, shaping Franco-indigenous alliances for decades.
1701
Great Peace of Montreal
New France
First Nations
1789day.year
France: abolition of feudalism by the National Constituent Assembly.
The National Constituent Assembly abolishes feudal privileges in France on August 4, 1789.
In the midst of the French Revolution, the National Constituent Assembly decrees the abolition of feudal rights and dues on August 4, 1789. This historic session eliminates seigneurial justice, tithes, and exclusive hunting rights held by the nobility and clergy. The sweeping reform ends centuries of peasant obligations, signaling a radical shift toward equality before the law. Debts owed to landlords are canceled, and communal land is reallocated, relieving heavy burdens on rural communities. The decree lays the foundation for modern French society and inspires revolutionary movements across Europe.
1789
France
abolition of feudalism
National Constituent Assembly
1790day.year
A newly passed tariff act creates the Revenue Cutter Service (the forerunner of the United States Coast Guard).
The Revenue Cutter Service is created by the Tariff Act of 1790, laying the foundation for the U.S. Coast Guard.
In 1790, the United States Congress enacted a Tariff Act that created the Revenue Cutter Service, the first federal maritime customs agency.
Charged with patrolling American waters, its cutters enforced import duties and combated smugglers along the seaboard.
Commissioned under the Treasury Department, ten vessels were outfitted to secure trade routes and protect revenue streams.
As years passed, the service expanded its missions to include search and rescue, public health inspections, and defense support.
For more than a century, these cutters served as the country's sole federal maritime force.
In 1915, a merger with the U.S. Life-Saving Service transformed it into the modern United States Coast Guard.
1790
tariff
Revenue Cutter Service
United States Coast Guard
1791day.year
The Treaty of Sistova is signed, ending the Ottoman–Habsburg wars.
The Treaty of Sistova ends the Ottoman–Habsburg wars and reshapes Central European borders.
In August 1791, representatives of the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy met in Sistova to negotiate peace after years of warfare.
The treaty formally ended hostilities that had raged intermittently since 1787, granting Hungary and other Habsburg territories expanded autonomy.
While the Ottomans ceded little land, they secured recognition of their remaining Balkan possessions.
This settlement marked the last major pact between these two empires and ushered in a period of relative stability in Central Europe.
The Treaty of Sistova remains a significant milestone in late 18th-century diplomacy, highlighting the balance of power politics of the era.
1791
Treaty of Sistova
Ottoman–Habsburg wars
1854day.year
The Hinomaru is established as the official flag to be flown from Japanese ships.
Japan adopts the Hinomaru as the official maritime ensign for its ships in 1854.
In 1854, the Tokugawa shogunate formally designated the Hinomaru—a white field with a central red disk—as the maritime flag of Japan.
This decision followed treaties opening Japanese ports to foreign trade and the need for a recognizable national ensign.
The flag symbolized Japan's sovereign identity on international waters and distinguished Japanese vessels abroad.
Over time, the Hinomaru became a national emblem, appearing on military and civilian flags alike.
Its adoption marked a pivotal moment in Japan's emergence onto the global stage after centuries of isolation.
The Hinomaru remains the basis for Japan's modern national flag, reflecting continuity amid change.
1854
Hinomaru
1924day.year
Diplomatic relations between Mexico and the Soviet Union are established.
Mexico and the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations, making Mexico the first Latin American country to recognize the USSR.
On August 4, 1924, Mexico and the Soviet Union formally exchanged diplomatic recognition and opened embassies, marking a milestone in international relations. Mexico became the first nation in Latin America to recognize the Soviet government, reflecting its independent post-revolutionary foreign policy. The new ties encouraged cultural exchanges, trade agreements, and political dialogue between the two countries. This development occurred during a period of global realignment following World War I and the Russian Revolution. The diplomatic breakthrough influenced regional politics and set a precedent for other nations considering Soviet recognition.
1924
Diplomatic relations between Mexico and the Soviet Union
1936day.year
Prime Minister of Greece Ioannis Metaxas suspends parliament and the Constitution and establishes the 4th of August Regime.
Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas dissolved parliament and suspended the constitution to create the authoritarian 4th of August Regime.
On August 4, 1936, Ioannis Metaxas, the Prime Minister of Greece, declared a state of emergency, dissolved the Hellenic Parliament, and suspended the constitution. This action inaugurated the 4th of August Regime, an authoritarian government modeled on contemporary European dictatorships. Metaxas banned political parties, censored the press, and curtailed civil liberties while promoting nationalism and traditional Greek values. Supporters argued it provided stability in a time of political turmoil, while critics decried its repressive nature. The regime endured until Metaxas's death in 1941 and left a controversial legacy in Greece's political history.
1936
Prime Minister of Greece
Ioannis Metaxas
parliament
Constitution
4th of August Regime
1944day.year
Under the state of emergency law, the Finnish Parliament elects Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim as the President of Finland to replace the resigned Risto Ryti.
Finland's Parliament elected Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim as president under emergency law, succeeding Risto Ryti during World War II.
On August 4, 1944, amid the challenges of World War II, Finland's Parliament used emergency powers to elect Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim as President following Risto Ryti's resignation. Mannerheim, a respected military leader, was entrusted with navigating peace negotiations with the Soviet Union. His presidency represented a pivot toward securing Finland's future and alleviating war pressures. The extraordinary election bypassed standard constitutional procedures, reflecting the nation's urgent circumstances. Mannerheim's leadership would be pivotal in brokering the armistice and guiding Finland through post-war recovery. This moment underscored Finland's delicate position between warring great powers.
Finnish Parliament
C. G. E. Mannerheim
President of Finland
Risto Ryti
1947day.year
The Supreme Court of Japan is established.
Japan established its Supreme Court as the highest judicial authority under its new postwar constitution.
On August 4, 1947, the Supreme Court of Japan commenced operations under the nation's new postwar constitution, transforming the judicial system. As the highest court, it holds ultimate appellate jurisdiction and serves as the guardian of constitutional rights. The court consists of a Chief Justice and fourteen associate justices, selected through a process that blends merit and democratic accountability. Early landmark rulings addressed land reform, labor rights, and civil liberties, shaping modern Japanese jurisprudence. The establishment of the Supreme Court represented a key milestone in Japan's democratic reconstruction following World War II.
1947
Supreme Court of Japan
1965day.year
The Constitution of the Cook Islands comes into force, giving the Cook Islands self-governing status within New Zealand.
The Cook Islands constitution takes effect, granting the islands self-governing status in free association with New Zealand.
The Constitution of the Cook Islands came into force on August 4, 1965, establishing the islands as a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. Under this arrangement, the Cook Islands gained the right to manage their own internal affairs while New Zealand retained responsibility for defense and foreign relations, in consultation with the Cook Islands government. The constitution created a parliamentary democracy headed by a Queen’s Representative and a Prime Minister, reflecting Westminster traditions. This milestone formalized decades of negotiation and set the framework for Cook Islands’ political institutions and legal system. It enabled the islands to cultivate a distinct national identity and pursue economic development. The move was widely celebrated by locals as a step toward full sovereignty and international recognition.
1965
Constitution of the Cook Islands
Cook Islands
1972day.year
Ugandan President Idi Amin announces that Uganda is no longer responsible for the care of British subjects of Asian origin, beginning the expulsions of Ugandan Asians.
Ugandan President Idi Amin orders the expulsion of British subjects of Asian origin, forcing around 80,000 people to leave the country.
On August 4, 1972, Ugandan President Idi Amin announced that Uganda would no longer be responsible for the care of its British subjects of Asian origin, effectively beginning the expulsion of approximately 80,000 people. Most were British passport holders whose families had settled in Uganda during the colonial era. Amin’s decree gave them 90 days to leave, confiscating their property and bank accounts. The expulsions devastated Uganda’s economy, as many expelled were business owners and skilled professionals. Thousands sought refuge in the United Kingdom, Canada, India, and other countries. This forced migration reshaped East African demographics and became one of the largest state-sponsored expulsions of the 20th century.
1972
Ugandan President
Idi Amin
Uganda
Asian origin
expulsions of Ugandan Asians
1977day.year
U.S. President Jimmy Carter signs legislation creating the United States Department of Energy.
President Jimmy Carter signs legislation creating the U.S. Department of Energy, centralizing federal energy programs.
On August 4, 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed the Department of Energy Organization Act into law, establishing the United States Department of Energy as a Cabinet-level agency. The new department consolidated various federal energy programs and regulatory bodies under one roof in response to the energy crises of the 1970s. It assumed responsibility for nuclear weapons research, energy production, and conservation initiatives. The act aimed to coordinate national policy on energy supply, research, and environmental impact. This move marked a major reorganization of the executive branch and signaled a growing federal focus on energy security and innovation. The Department of Energy continues to play a central role in U.S. science, technology, and energy policy.
1977
U.S. President
Jimmy Carter
United States Department of Energy